When it comes to fly fishing, few experiences compare to the thrill of sight-casting for redfish in the wild, mangrove, and grass flats of Louisiana. The state’s coastal marshes are renowned for their abundant and sizable redfish population, making it a prime destination for anglers chasing these feisty, copper-colored giants. Armed with a fly rod and standing on a skiff, you’re in for an exhilarating journey through some of the most unique fishing landscapes in North America.
Why Louisiana?
Louisiana’s vast salt marshes are a perfect environment for redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as red drum. From October through March, these waters clear up significantly, giving anglers excellent visibility and making it easier to spot redfish cruising the flats. Our experience Nov 1st-3rd this year wasn’t typical, and the water clarity wasn’t great, but our expert Captain/Guides were able to find some clear water here and there. The cooler months also draw in trophy-sized “bull” redfish, which can grow over 30 pounds, though smaller “slot” reds are abundant all year. Slot refers to fish of legal size to harvest, typically between 18-27” but always check local regulations if you intend to harvest fish. Our trip was exclusively catch and release. A concept that amazes and befuddles the locals and game wardens alike. Catch and release in-shore fly fishing is still a fledgling industry in Louisiana but there are some top-notch Captain/Guides who are working hard to change that. For example, Capt. Ron Begnaud of Redchaser Guide Service who put me onto my very first redfish, and Capt. Rob Burden of Louisiana Flyfisher who put me onto my biggest redfish of the weekend, and Capt. Mike Johnston of Louisiana Waterman Guide Service who put me onto my prettiest redfish of the weekend. These guys know the area, how to spot fish a long way off, and will put you onto them. Better yet, they’ll openly share their knowledge and experience with you so you walk away a much better redfish angler.
Redfish in Louisiana are known for their aggressive takes and dogged fights, making them a thrill to catch on the fly. On my biggest catch of the trip, I experienced line burn on my finger and got a quick, but memorable lesson on saltwater fishing. Plus, Louisiana’s marshes offer a landscape unlike any other, with mangrove islands, spartina grass, oyster creeks, and brackish water that teem with life. In the water there are mullet, shrimp, crabs, lemon and black-tip sharks among other things. On the islands and in the air is a plethora of birds from multiple varieties of pelicans, cormorants, pink egrets and pink spoonbills, the variety was mind boggling. It all adds up to be a truly great experience.
The infrastructure and culture of this area is one of the most interesting things I have ever witnessed. It is an oil industrial region with offshore platforms in the gulf and much of the support for them coming from ports in this area. There are areas and houses savaged by past storms standing right next to brand new palatial constructions. It is a bizarre contrast that only storm burdened communities can comprehend. The locals reference time by storms, i.e. ‘My son’s 7th birthday, right after Sally (the named storm) was…’. It is both an alien and at the same time very welcoming place. Everyone we met was friendly and seemed happy to see us.
The Skiff: Your Redfish Stalking Stealth Machine
A skiff is essential for getting close to redfish without spooking them. You’ll want to minimize noise in the boat too. No dropping pliers or beer cans as these will scare fish off. These shallow-draft boats allow you to glide silently through marshy waters and oyster creeks, navigating narrow channels and venturing into mere inches of water, where bigger boats can’t go and the fish are easier to spot.
Skiffs are stable, making them perfect for spotting fish and delivering precise casts while standing on the deck or a raised casting platform.
Skiffs often feature a poling platform, giving the guide a high vantage point for spotting fish from a distance. Our knowledgeable guides were spotting fish at well over 100 feet regularly that I couldn’t see initially even after they told me where to look. If you’re fishing with a partner, one of you will likely take turns casting while the other helps with spotting duties and line management, not to mention refreshments. You don’t want your line to drag in the shallow water where rough oysters are likely to shred it. The pole lets you move quietly, creating minimal disturbance in the water, which is crucial in clear water conditions when fish can be skittish.
The entire idea of flats fishing for redfish is to get into shallow, clear water where it is easier to spot fish at a distance. Skiffs are the vehicle to do that in. We were spoiled by our guides and their skiffs. We rode in a Chittum Islamorada and two different Gordan Boatworks Waterman skiffs. The best of the best as far as skiffs are concerned.
Preparing Your Fly Fishing Gear for Louisiana Reds
For redfish, a 7 to 9-weight fly rod is ideal. An 8-weight is the most versatile and widely used choice, offering the power needed to fight larger fish while still allowing for delicate casts. A floating fly line with a weight-forward taper works well for both distance and accuracy. Keep in mind that temperature matters with fly line choice to avoid issues with stretch (in high heat) or unwanted coiling (in cold weather) and this time of year the cold-water varieties should be selected typically. You’ll also want a sturdy reel with a smooth drag system—redfish are known to make blistering runs! I used my Scott Sector 8wt and Ross Evolution R Salt reel with a Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth Redfish Coldwater WF-8-F with a 225gr head and was very happy with the setup, even if not my ability to cast it beyond about 40’ (my issue, not the setup’s). Remember to rinse your rod and reel in fresh water after each outing to avoid corrosion.
Leaders and Tippet: Redfish aren’t particularly leader-shy, so a 20-pound leader will work just fine for slot fish though you’ll likely want to go heavier when you hook into a bull. A tapered 9-foot leader with a short piece of heavy tippet (20-30 lbs.) provides some abrasion resistance when reds dive into oyster beds or submerged vegetation. I saw some variety in the preferred setup with different guides on this trip. One liked a 40>30>20lb 3-section leader + tippet of around 9-11’ and another preferred a shorter 40>20lb 2-section at around 7-9’ in length. I performed better casts with the shorter setup and found my loop would turn over better but YMMV. I think if we had better water clarity and targeted bigger fish in deeper water the 3-section leader would have been the ticket.
Fly Patterns: Louisiana redfish are opportunistic feeders. Classic crab and shrimp imitations, such as the Strong-arm Crab, Spawning Shrimp, and Baitfish variants, work well. Vary your fly size depending on the fish you’re targeting—smaller flies for slot reds and bigger, bulkier flies for bulls. Olive, tan, and black flies imitate the local baitfish well, while a touch of flash can help in murkier water. Weight is another crucial factor when trying to get deeper for bigger bulls quickly and quietly too.
Tactics and Techniques for Skiff-Based Redfish Fishing
- Sight Fishing: Louisiana’s marshes are ideal for sight fishing. Cruise slowly, keeping your eyes peeled for signs of fish. Look for tails (“tailing”) as the fish feed from the bottom, wakes (“pushes”) as they roam, shadows where they sit on the bottom, and flashes from the fishes sides when the sun is right. The sun is best when directly overhead and no shadows are visible except downward but when the sun is higher or lower in the sky look in the direction of your shadow for the flashes. When you spot a fish, try to place your fly a few feet ahead of it, gently enough not to spook it. Knowing the direction the fish is moving is critical to a good presentation. Ideally, the fish is coming straight towards you giving you plenty of room to place your fly and let it sink before you have to start stripping. The next best opportunity would be a quartering cast where you must place the fly out in front of a fish moving parallel to the boat. This requires better timing and placement of the fly and likely immediate stripping. Fish moving away from you are very tough to place a fly for without spooking them with your line.
2. Casting Precision: Redfish aren’t always the most cautious, but accuracy is still key. Cast too far, and they won’t see the fly; cast too close, and you risk spooking them. Practice quick, accurate casts before your trip so you’re ready when the fish are within range. Quick casts are crucial! I was given this advice and thought I had done my homework, but it is tough to understand this concept until you have experienced it firsthand. I now understand how I should practice this because I have context that was missing for me as a Colorado trout fly fishermen. Maybe I’ll make a video explaining it so others can be better prepared before they go. One more thing…strip to set the hook. Don’t “trout set” by lifting your rod tip or you’ll pull the fly away from the redfish. I missed out on a nice sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) because I trout set.
3. Stealth: Redfish can be wary in the shallows. Minimize boat noise, shadows, and sudden movements. The poling platform on a skiff lets you and your guide see fish from a greater distance, giving you a chance to plan your position and cast carefully. Good guides make this happen, but you can assist them by avoiding making noise in the boat while stalking fish.
4. Fighting the Fish: Once a redfish takes the fly, prepare for a battle. Hold on tight as they strip line and test your drag. It’s essential to let the fish run and tire itself out before bringing it in. Tighten your drag as needed but do not overtighten it prior to hooking the fish or you risk snapping off your line as one in our group learned the hard way. This too was foreign to me as a trout fisherman for the most part. You’ll definitely want to get the fish onto your reel as soon as possible. It only takes one to teach you what this means though and I hope you figure it out before blisters form as I fortunately did. Louisiana redfish are strong fighters and often dive toward oyster beds and other underwater obstacles, so keep them moving with steady side pressure.
When to Go and What to Expect
The prime months for sight fishing are October through March, when water clarity is optimal, and redfish are more visible. During this time, the temperatures are cooler, which makes for comfortable days on the water. Expect to see “tailing” reds in very shallow water, often just inches deep, where they hunt for crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. The bigger bulls come in when the temperatures drop with 65-70°F, being the sweet spot, I’m told. We saw bigger bulls a couple of times per day and our temps were in the high 70s and lower 80s.
Spring and summer are also good times to fish, but water clarity may vary, and high temperatures can be intense out on the water. During these warm months, early morning or late afternoon trips are ideal. While Louisiana redfish are plentiful, always keep in mind that tidal movement affects where fish can be found, so tides and weather play a big role in planning your trip. This again highlights the value of hiring good guides who know the area well.
The Louisiana Redfish Experience
Louisiana’s marshes offer more than just incredible fishing—they provide a unique adventure in some of the most picturesque landscapes of the southern United States. The food, music, and people of this region help to make this a special destination for fly fishing.
As you stand on the skiff with your fly rod, surrounded by the sounds of nature, the anticipation builds with every sighting of a tail or shadow moving through the water. Know that your ability to spot fish will improve over the course of multiple days. The challenge, the tranquility, and the thrill of landing a bull redfish make this an experience no angler should miss. I’d like to thank Ben Sittig (Huge Fly Fisherman) for organizing and hosting this amazing trip! I’d also like to thank the other fly fishermen on the trip (Adam, Pat, Brooks, and Brandon), most of whom I was able to fish with at some point. You’re a great group of people and I enjoyed my time on the water and off with you. So, grab your fly rod, find a local guide or reach out to one of those I’ve mentioned here (tell them I sent you please!), and get ready to experience redfish fly fishing from a skiff in the Louisiana marshes. The landscape and the fish are unforgettable, and with each cast, you’re one step closer to landing the catch of a lifetime.
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