By Capt. Steven Holmes

I arrived a little late that morning to Sister's Creek boat ramp only to find Randy with fly rod in hand standing next to the boat ramp. . Capt. Randy Lanier (904- 645-8998) is a renowned fly fishing guide and Instructor who works out of The Salty Feather in Jacksonville. Eager to get underway we quickly worked together to launch my Pathfinder boat and was soon idling out of the Manatee zone. With only two hours remaining of incoming tide we had no time to waste. Immediately upon leaving the Manatee zone I pushed the throttle down on my Yamaha 150 and rocketed to just under 60 MPH. The excitement was overwhelming; this was our chance to have some fun fishing the flood tide grass for tailing Reds.

I backed of the throttle allowing the boat to slow and turned off the river to start our journey up a no name creek in pursuit of one of Randy's favorite fishing flats. Not being familiar with the area I had to listen closely for directions from Capt. Lanier as I navigated the shallow flood creeks. Most guides lean there way around the backcountry just like you know your way home. And sure enough Randy directs me through the shallows with the knowledge that only comes from years of experience. Randy step up on the front casting deck of the boat. Using this vantage-point he scans the flats searching for signs of our quarry. Then Randy says, "let' stop here", I shot down the motor and allow us to coast over to the shore where I silently place the anchor. We step out of the boat into the ankle deep water as overhead a flock of Ducks is traveling to their wintering grounds further south.

Randy explains that flood tide fishing for tailing Reds is some of NE Florida best inshore fly-fishing. The nicest part of flood tide fishing for Reds is that you don't have to cast like Flip Pallot to catch a fish. Often you can present your fly with a somewhat short 30-ft cast. The hard part is landing your fly ever so softly just past a tailing Red. Then when he moves his head out of the mud you strip the fly just in front of him. The Reds upon seeing the sparkle of the golden spoon fly or weedless Crab imitation fly will often come charging after it. Apparently I think it's with the idea of claiming a crab for a quick dinner. The fun part is they will sometimes smashing the fly with the water exploding in the air. With their bull dog attitude when they grab your fly and feel the sting of the hook they tuck their head down and take off for parts unknown. So hold your rod high and hang on for the excitement has only just begun.

We walked about 40 yards when Randy stops me. "Look over there" shoulder to shoulder Reds, tailing in the short brown grass. Randy's weathered hands softly caressed the fly rod as though he could feel the fish that would soon be caught on it. Striping out a few yards of line and with the grace that elevates fly-fishing to an art form sends the first cast of the day just over their heads. His delicate touch demonstrates his mastery over the rod that has been hewn by years of experience. Twitch, twitch on the line. Then finally one of them sees it. All at one time the Reds come to full alert. Bashing into each other trying to knock the other out of the way to get to a wobbling spoon fly. Trying to let out the fly line so he can battle the red on his reel Randy dances across the flats with the excitement of the Red's run.

Of course this is no great fishing secret. Spoons both fly and those for light tackle fishing are a very old and very basic lure. Their design has been around far longer then our rudimentary rubber worm. I would bet that as a child when your Grand Father took you fishing a gold spoon was in his tackle box.

Randy instructed me by saying "The best way to utilization a spoon fly when fishing for Redfish is to strip it just fast enough to make it wobble, but not spin. "Randy said he is not for sure Reds see the gold spoon fly as a struggling baitfish or as the side of a crab trying to get away." But for some reason Redfish are very attracted to it.

Randy prefers the pattern they create at the Salty Feather. It is basically a weedless gold spoon, gold exterior, green reflective interior fly with a little red Bucktail tied in. On days when the fish are real spooky Randy uses a weedless Crab imitation pattern. This pattern is a little wider and lands in the water with a softer report. The best way to fish this Crab pattern is with a strip and pause method.

Randy says that fly-fishing does not have to be difficult. But, just a quick tour through any of the fly-fishing catalogs can leave an angler's head spinning. If you are thinking about rigging up for high tide saltwater flats fishing for Reds there is no need for disheartenment nor do you need to spend several thousand dollars on equipment. Just stick to the basics and you will do just fine. This kind of Fly-fishing is simple. All you need is an inexpensive fly rod, floating fly-line, 100 yards of backing, a spool of 8-12 lbs. test line for leader material and you have it.

Rods
There could not be a more beginner friendly species then tailing Redfish on the grass flats. A good fast rod in 7, 8, or 9 weight is a great place to start. If you don't already have a rod I would by an #8-weight. It's a versatile rod that will handle practically any specie up to 15-20 pounds or more in an accomplished fly-anglers hand. There is several inexpensive rods and reel on the market. But for most application I would suggest that even a first time fly-angler visit a fly shop and select a rod from a reputable rod makers. The experienced and expert advice from one of the sales consults can help you through the blinding assortment of rod lengths, actions and weights. Rods
There could not be a more beginner friendly species then tailing Redfish on the grass flats. A good fast rod in 7, 8, or 9 weight is a great place to start. If you don't already have a rod I would by an #8-weight. It's a versatile rod that will handle practically any specie up to 15-20 pounds or more in an accomplished fly-anglers hand. There is several inexpensive rods and reel on the market. But for most application I would suggest that even a first time fly-angler visit a fly shop and select a rod from a reputable rod makers. The experienced and expert advice from one of the sales consults can help you through the blinding assortment of rod lengths, actions and weights.

Don't get too bogged down with all the decisions. I would, however recommend that you stay away from the "fresh water series" of rods and reels. After a couple of trips when you have learned the ropes of fly fishing 101, you will probably want a good fast action rod. So to prevent wasting over $100 on fresh water gear that will just end up gathering dust in your garage I recommend a saltwater series right from the beginning. Besides the first time you hook into a Red you will be glad you have a rod with some backbone. Also saltwater rods from reputable manufactures will help you in your casting. You'll find this out the first time yourself trying to punch a lead-eyed Clouser or gold spoon fly into a 15-knot breeze while wading the flats. Randy also recommends a good brand name like G-Loomis or Sage.

The problem is most of the time when people think of a brand name fly rod they think of spending thousands of dollars. This could not be further from the truth. You can buy a G-Loomis GL-2 (FR188) rod in 8 weight for $175 dollars that will not only catch tailing Reds, but it will also work for most any other inshore species.

Reels
Some of the cheaper reels on the market don't even have any drag system other than a clicker. For this reason stay away from the "freshwater series of reels" Whatever brand of reel that you choose for the saltwater environment, it must have three things: First, the entire reel should be anodized (black or gold) to prevent saltwater corrosion. Second, you need a spool that will hold at least 100 yards of 30-pound backing. And finally, it should have at least a fair drag system. Some of those fresh water reels with just a little clicker that sound neat when you strip out line does not have the backbone needed to put pressure on a Red or even keep a hook lodged in their mouth. I recommend you spend the money to get a drag that will actually put some pressure on the Redfish as he makes his run. Just like any other form of angling. Fly gear is only as strong as it's weakest link. If your reel is your weak link, then you are going to loose a lot of fish along with spend a lot of money on leaders, backing and fly-lines.Reels
Some of the cheaper reels on the market don't even have any drag system other than a clicker. For this reason stay away from the "freshwater series of reels" Whatever brand of reel that you choose for the saltwater environment, it must have three things: First, the entire reel should be anodized (black or gold) to prevent saltwater corrosion. Second, you need a spool that will hold at least 100 yards of 30-pound backing. And finally, it should have at least a fair drag system. Some of those fresh water reels with just a little clicker that sound neat when you strip out line does not have the backbone needed to put pressure on a Red or even keep a hook lodged in their mouth. I recommend you spend the money to get a drag that will actually put some pressure on the Redfish as he makes his run. Just like any other form of angling. Fly gear is only as strong as it's weakest link. If your reel is your weak link, then you are going to loose a lot of fish along with spend a lot of money on leaders, backing and fly-lines.

Fly Lines
Let's face it, when it comes to fly-lines there is a lot of selections. There are only two essentials when it comes to saltwater fly-lines. A weight forward floating line that is designed for our hotter climate "tropical" and for a saltwater application. Tropical types of fly lines have a hard slick coating with a mono core. These coatings designed for the tropical environment don't get sticky and limp in the hot sun. Tropical weight forward line will handle casting most flies used in inshore and near shore application. This includes our NE Florida high tide flats fishing. This type of line is ideal for presenting your fly to any fish that will hit a fly on the surface or within first three feet of the surface. The weight forward type of fly-line is excellent for a beginner. Because with the lines weight being forward it makes the line shoot out of your rod making your job of casting much easier. Fly Lines
Let's face it, when it comes to fly-lines there is a lot of selections. There are only two essentials when it comes to saltwater fly-lines. A weight forward floating line that is designed for our hotter climate "tropical" and for a saltwater application. Tropical types of fly lines have a hard slick coating with a mono core. These coatings designed for the tropical environment don't get sticky and limp in the hot sun. Tropical weight forward line will handle casting most flies used in inshore and near shore application. This includes our NE Florida high tide flats fishing. This type of line is ideal for presenting your fly to any fish that will hit a fly on the surface or within first three feet of the surface. The weight forward type of fly-line is excellent for a beginner. Because with the lines weight being forward it makes the line shoot out of your rod making your job of casting much easier.

Leaders & Tippets
Most of the leader manufacturers have their products packaged by species. There is even one leader manufacture that has the picture of the species of fish on the front of the package. If you are going to buy one then, then buy the one that say's it's designed for redfish, and trout. However, you don't have to buy any of those expensive prepackaged leader materials. Just use the same line you normally use in your spinning reel. The first timer can use a 6-foot section of 12-lb test tied onto 4-feet of 20-lb test. Tie the 20-lb test loop to loop with your weight forward fly-line. Then using an Albright or Surgeons know attach the 6-foot section of 12-lb test leader material. If this all sounds a little too difficult then ask your fly shop to pre rig some leaders for you. This way all you have to do is attach them to your fly-line by a loop to loop. (Angler does not have to tie a knot, just connect the loops) Then if you find you like fly-fishing you can buy a selection of these fancy leaders that are tapered down to 4, 8,10-, and 12-lb. tippets.

Most of the leader manufacturers have their products packaged by species. There is even one leader manufacture that has the picture of the species of fish on the front of the package. If you are going to buy one then, then buy the one that say's it's designed for redfish, and trout. However, you don't have to buy any of those expensive prepackaged leader materials. Just use the same line you normally use in your spinning reel. The first timer can use a 6-foot section of 12-lb test tied onto 4-feet of 20-lb test. Tie the 20-lb test loop to loop with your weight forward fly-line. Then using an Albright or Surgeons know attach the 6-foot section of 12-lb test leader material. If this all sounds a little too difficult then ask your fly shop to pre rig some leaders for you. This way all you have to do is attach them to your fly-line by a loop to loop. (Angler does not have to tie a knot, just connect the loops) Then if you find you like fly-fishing you can buy a selection of these fancy leaders that are tapered down to 4, 8,10-, and 12-lb. tippets.

Flies and Other Gear
For your first trip to the saltwater flats I would suggest that you drop buy your locale fly shop and ask for they're recommended fly list for your area waters. Coloration, water temperatures, depth, and conditions all play a factor. If this list does not include a fly-gold spoon buy one anyway. Redfish are just like most women. They all love gold. Then ask your local expert for recommendations on an area you should try. You may even want to splurge and hire one of his guides to take you out your first time. Flies and Other Gear
For your first trip to the saltwater flats I would suggest that you drop buy your locale fly shop and ask for they're recommended fly list for your area waters. Coloration, water temperatures, depth, and conditions all play a factor. If this list does not include a fly-gold spoon buy one anyway. Redfish are just like most women. They all love gold. Then ask your local expert for recommendations on an area you should try. You may even want to splurge and hire one of his guides to take you out your first time.

Sunglasses
I enjoyed fishing that day with Randy and I want to pass on one item that plays a bigger roll in an angler's success than many anglers think. A good pair of polarized glasses is a must! I have owned a pair of Ocean Wave sunglasses for the past three years and I can not imagine why I waited so long to buy them. The way I see it is you can not sight cast to what you can't see. Whatever brands you buy just make sure they have polarized lenses with an amber or blue tent and good reflective qualities. I use a pair that is called Tarpon with a blue-green reflective tint they call backcountry. Ocean Waves are specifically designed to assist the angler seeing abilities in the shallow water of the backcountry. I happen to notice Randy was warring the same brand with the same backcountry blue-green tint.Sunglasses
I enjoyed fishing that day with Randy and I want to pass on one item that plays a bigger roll in an angler's success than many anglers think. A good pair of polarized glasses is a must! I have owned a pair of Ocean Wave sunglasses for the past three years and I can not imagine why I waited so long to buy them. The way I see it is you can not sight cast to what you can't see. Whatever brands you buy just make sure they have polarized lenses with an amber or blue tent and good reflective qualities. I use a pair that is called Tarpon with a blue-green reflective tint they call backcountry. Ocean Waves are specifically designed to assist the angler seeing abilities in the shallow water of the backcountry. I happen to notice Randy was warring the same brand with the same backcountry blue-green tint.

Shoes
Your only remaining essentials are a pair of wading shoes. No need to buy anything here. Most of my charters use an old pair of tennis shoes.

If fly-fishing still does not seem easy enough, do not despair. Just visit your locale fly shop and you too will quickly be on the flats in pursuit of some of the world's finest fishing best action.

For more information about NE Florida Inshore Fishing visit our web sight www.southwindcharters.com

Email Capt. Steven Holmes

Published in Florida Outdoor Magazine Copyrighted and all rights reserved