October is a special time. Following the incredible heat of summer, sportsmen all over the country are gearing up for hunting seasons. But beginning in October here in southeast Louisiana, there is a growing population of sportsmen who, instead of getting ready for hunting season, are polishing their boats, cleaning their tackle and preparing for something very special, bull reds on a fly.
Along with the cool fronts and clear skies moving in, there are great numbers of bull reds longer than 27 inches making their way into the shallow marshes of the Bayou State. Within a short drive from downtown New Orleans, places like the Biloxi Marsh, Port Sulfur, Cocodree and many others provide thousands of square miles of shallow marsh that hold populations of redfish unequaled anywhere in the United States.
It is the No. 1 spot in the country for a chance at a bull red heavier than 20 pounds, and fish up to 40 pounds are caught regularly. For fly anglers traveling to this area and fishing with a local outfitter, your chances at fish between 16 and 27 inches are just about 100 percent, weather permitting.
If you’re planning to make the trip to chase these bruisers, I suggest a 9-foot, 7- to 9-weight rod with no less than 100 yards of 20- or 30-pound backing. A large arbor reel with a good drag loaded with weight-forward floating fly line is necessary. The leader should be tapered 7 to 9 feet long. I prefer fluorocarbon leader because it is more abrasion resistant than mono. This area holds lots of oyster shells, so try to use the harder materials in a leader. Reds are not leader shy most days, so you can get away with shorter and heavier leaders.
Many different fly patterns can be used in the area including topwater, but it is best to use a fly that will get to the bottom quickly in a couple feet of water. Anglers in the area will be sight fishing, and the reds are cruising the bottom for small crabs, shrimp and just about anything they chase up from the mud. So always come with a quality pair of polarized sunglasses. Try to buy flies locally. We have several fly tiers in the area that have perfected some local redfish patterns for these monster fish. These include spoons, baitfish patterns, Clouser minnows and my favorite, the crab patterns.
The best boats to use down here are flats boats with poling platforms. Pole the shorelines where you find clear water in about 2 to 2 ½ feet of water, trying to keep the sun at your back. Be patient and wait for the right cast. Always cast the fly planning to strip away from the fish, not toward the fish. Remember, these are large predators and baitfish and crabs run away from them.
Stripping the fly is normal. You should almost always keep it moving. When a fish sees or hears the fly, you can let it settle as a live crab or shrimp would and then bump it to imitate a nervous crab or shrimp. This will normally cause the fish to strike. The action will stir up mud and silt, so keep the fly moving until it is in the fish’s mouth. Then strip-set the hook to firmly set it deep in the mouth or jaw.
This is awesome fishing. If you’re new to the area, make reservations with a local outfitter early. They will book up quickly. If you’re not local and you want to venture out on your own, stop in at the local fly shops for info on our waters.
Remember, we have thousands square miles of marsh that can be intimidating for the first-time angler trying to fish this area. Even with GPS, it can be very difficult to navigate. Always take a cell phone and VHF marine radio along as well as insect repellant and water. We have many mild fall and winter days, and mosquitoes and gnats in southeast Louisiana can be as big and tenacious as bulldogs, even in winter.
Guys and Gals, you may want to put aside your hunting equipment for a week or two this winter and get out on the water here in southeast Louisiana to experience the best fly fishing for redfish the world has to offer.
Mike Fandal is a regular contributor to the New Orleans edition of Coastal Angler Magazine and owner of the Old Town Fly Shop in Slidell, La.
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