Fishing Q&A - Fly Fishing Texas Coast, especially for red drum?

Fly Fishing Texas Coast, especially for red drum?

Recently, my travels find me in Houston, Texas. I am a beginner when it comes to fly fishing in saltwater and Christmas Bay was mentioned as a good place to start and an easy place to hook some red drum (by easy, I am not sure if the person meant better odds or guaranteed, but my guess is not the latter). Can anyone give me any advice on fly fishing for red drum; particularly in relation to local fly’s that have proven successful as well as locations? Really, any advice would be greatly appreciated when it comes to fly fishing the Texas coast in general. I plan to start with red drum, but would love to progress from there. Also, I feel it is vitally important that I inform you that I practice CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY. After all, if I am asking my fellow brethren of the angle to give up some of their secrets and destinations, I feel it is only fair that I commit to you that your fish will still be there to catch for yourself the next time you go fishing!

Public Comments

i just read an article on that in Fly Fisherman magazine. I have never caught them on a fly rig, but the article suggested finding a guide. I love catching the big bull reds, my favorite salt water fish.
Since your new to this great art of fly fishing i suggest one word, guide, why? well for a start they can show you the best casting technique they may even give you some of the best catching patterns, even if you only use them for one day the advice you will get will be well worth it, the last thing i will say is its good your practicing catch and release we must preserve the fish stocks http://www.trimbleflyfishing.com/index.html http://www.flyfishingtexas.com/Trips.htm tips http://www.flyfishinsalt.com/article.jsp?ID=32181&typeID=333&categoryID=254
Use 8wt rod w/ 9wt line, forget the tapered leader use some 20lb suffix line for leader and you cant go wrong with a clouser minnow or crab pattern. You will find that x-mas bay is allright but the real action is at matagorda or further north in the galveston bay complex. State record was caught on the Texas City Dike. Check out 2coolfishing.com or wadefishing.com for some advice and excellent forums. Welcome to the area.
I agree with Adam on the 8wt rod w/ 9wt line. But i live in Corpus Christi and i fish the flats all the time for Red Fish. Only a few times have i used a fly rod, takes patience, but i have seen it done. The flies i have used look like little minnows or crabs. If you try it out, just look for the tails my friend, after that, the rest is up to you.
You have some good answers already, esp in regards to rod weight and destinations. Here's my 2 cents. I have fished the Gulf as far away as Pensacola FL-AL. Although, I don't know a good flats for you to wade in TX I DO know the flys you would want to purchase for your trip. The 3 important flys to "zero-in" on when you are pursuing Reds, Spec Trout, Spanish Macks & Flounder would be: 1. Clouser Minnows- Best Colors- Chartruese, Chartruese/White, White/Crystal Flash, Green/Gold Flashabou, Gold/Red Flashabou. Clousers are inexpensive (compared to other saltwater flys) , ride with the hook "up" so you get fewer snags, and appeal to a variety of saltwater critters. 2. Any epoxy "Spoon-fly"- Gold colored- Spoon-flys are a "no-brainer" fly! Toss it out and slowly bring it in. They are esp deadly on Reds! Go to EBay and check the fishing area to see what they look like. They work well, but are expensive, ($4-$6). 3. Epoxy "Poppers"- Colors- White/Red, Green/Red, Etc. These are deadly on Spec Trout and Spanish Macs! Expect to lose them, ESP if you don't use a "no-see'm" wire leader. If you ONLY have these 3 flys in various sizes you would be covered for most saltwater species. (Although, you may want to add an Umpqua McCrab, some Crazy Charlies, Glass minnow Streamers and some Bendbacks as you get "into" the sport.) Clouser's can be fished at any depth. Spoonflys work well in "grassy", flats situations. And Poppers are excellent for cruising OVER the grass, oyster bar, Etc. If I were you, I would look for bridges and flats adjacent to the Gulf. Any creek that leads into the Gulf will "flush" baitfish/forage in & out. I might start my "looking" there. Check the bottom before puttin' on your gear to wade. Some areas will be too muddy. Look for birds, and schools of baitfish, (small binoculars are handy for "scouting" areas). If you find birds/baitfish schools, Reds/Trout won't be far behind! Hope this helps somehow? Good Luck!