![]() ![]() Shute recommends anglers talk to an expert to find the right equipment, basically to match the type of fishing to rod, reel and line requirements for the species they’ll pursue and where they’ll fish. As a New York City cab driver once told a fare who asked how to get to Carnegie Hall, “Practice.” Leaning to use a fly rod efficiently takes time. You have to be able to stalk them or sit for hours, waiting for one or two or a school.” But using a fly, well, that’s an entirely different deal. “Nearly anyone can catch a drum with live or cut bait or artificial lures. “Redfish in shallow water with a fly rod is a lot like bowhunting deer,” said Shute, who has been twice appointed to the N.C. Owen, the longer cast is necessary for redfish because you can’t get close to the fish without spooking them.īay Street Outfitters is Beaufort’s local fly fishing and light tackle outfitter and charter located at 815 Bay street.Arguably, no one does it better than Joe Shute, 57, the owner of Atlantic Beach’s Cape Lookout Fly Shop, who spends most of his time tying flies for red drum, Spanish and king mackerel, albacore, amberjack, bluefish and cobia, and even builds huge trolling lures for tuna and marlin fishermen.Īlthough arthritis in his right shoulder limits the number of casts he makes these days - after making thousands of them for years - Shute still takes anglers to the marshes behind Morehead City and Beaufort in pursuit of red drum. Also, because you’re sight casting, saltwater fly fishing means longer 30-40 ft casts in 5-10 mph winds. Fly-wise in this winter season, redfish feed mostly on mud minnows and other small baits. Use a seven to nine fly rod (for conventional spin fishing use a 10-20 test) and a braided line for abrasion resistance against the sharp grasses and oysters. Let’s face it: your huge 20 inch mountain river trout is our small redfish. Saltwater fly fishing will require bigger rods, bigger flies and bigger lines because you’re catching bigger fish. It gives you access to the shallow waters like a kayak but a better vantage point like that of a flats boat’s. If you’re looking for another active alternative, try fly fishing from a standup paddle board. Some may opt to wade in the mudflats, but be cautious of the rays in the pluff mud. “Not only is the tower made so that you can poll the boat, but you’re higher elevated so that you can see the fish from further distances,” says Capt. While in the summer time you’ll spot schools of 20-30 redfish, in the winter you’ll find schools of 200-500 fish at a time. It’s common for the fly fisherman of the area to have flats boats, smaller 15-20 ft boats with polling platforms that can drift in eight to ten inches of water at low tide. In the clearer water conditions redfish are more aware of their predators, schooling into the mudflats where predators like dolphins can’t reach. While he says September through November is the best time to fish for reds because their bellies are slap full of shrimp staging up for the winter, his favorite time to go is in the winter season when the water’s about 50˚F, the bait’s gone, the sediment’s settled and the glassy water is crystal clear. “You’re seeing the fish, you’re casting to the fish and you’re watching them eat your fly.” “Fly fishing here you’re active,” says Capt. They can be fished year-round in Beaufort’s plethora of fisheries along the Broad River, Coosaw River, Port Royal Sound and Harbor Island.I sat down to get the scoop from local pro, Captain Owen Plair, an Orvis endorsed fly fishing guide at Bay Street Outfitters who grew up fishing from the Broad River in his backyard. Its dark red copper-colored back fades into a white belly and has a characteristic “beauty mark” that looks like an eyespot near the tail. The Red Drum goes by many names-redfish, Spottail Bass or simply reds-but there’s no mistaking this delicious fish when it’s pulled out of the water from the end of your line. Whether your polling from your flats boat, wading in the short Spartina grass or preying from your standup paddle board, saltwater fly fishing is all about sight casting for reds at low tide here in our Lowcountry. Beaufort’s tidal systems make shallow water fishing a favorite outdoor activity for locals and visitors.Įven though the weather is flirting with spring in Beaufort, we’re still seeing the winterish water conditions that are ideal for fly fishing redfish. ![]()
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