Fly Fishing - Florida Flies (Tarpon, Snook, Bonefish etc.)

PatrickHilbert · Newbie Joined: Feb 23, 2008 Posts: 12

Hey, I was invited down to spring island SC for Christmas, i was wondering if there will be any action around there. Ive only fished up here in the north east so i am really looking forward for some reds and whatever else is around. I am planning on bringing my 9wt loomis down there.
Can any of you give me a idea of what to expect and what flies to bring?
Thanks,
Pat H

jeremy · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject: South Carolina

Patrick - Looks like you will be very close to Charleston South Carolina. And, spring Island looks like it is situated back in the estuaries .. The Redfishing can be very good at that time of year. Of course cold fronts and stuff like that can be a factor, but maybe you will get lucky and be there when the weather is on the mild side .. But, Redfish are definately available in December .. They may not be up in the grass flast as much as other times of year and may be more schooled up .. as was the case when i fished for them in a winter month in northern florida .. I would bring an intermediate line and you can't go wrong with a fly called "The Copperhead" .. (i don't think) (just do a google image search for "copperhead redfish fly") ... tie up something like that blackish/redish and buggy looking with weighted eyes .... More than anything else, I think you will want to focus on the tides as a critical factor .. meaning a super high tide probably won't be as good as a lower tide where the water is coming off of the "flats" or holding spots and the Redfish are easily seen moving through the water and still on the flat before all of the water peels off the flat .. so, definately bring your fly rod .. and a couple flies like this with an intermediate line and when you get down there .. poke around those inlets and water ways .. and ask fisherman on bridges and look for the "fishy water" .. find a tackle or fly shop and find out "the inside scoop" .. the fish will be somewhere around where you are or within short drive ... you just gotta find them .. good luck. i am no south carolina fly fishing expert ... but hope this helps ..

MosquitoBandito · Newbie Joined: Jan 27, 2008 Posts: 1

I am from Charleston. The reds are schooled up at that time of year. The guides report seeing schools of up to 200 reds at times (mainly moving up and down the intercoastal). "Tailing" is out at time time of year (they tail when they are up in the grass feeding on fiddler crabs in the warmer months) but you can still find them on the flats cause they move up there to warm up a little and get away from flipper. 9wt will be fine. Plain patterns will do - small natural colored clousers, black clousers, bunny patterns, etc. Nothing fancy. The copperhead will work, of course, but I find that something too flashy will spook them sometimes this time of year. The water is gin clear on the flats and awful cold so the fish can be a little spooky and also a little lethargic. The fishing closer to Hilton Head would be similar I imagine. The trout can be a good bite sometimes also. As usual, a guide is your best bet. All in all, it is a different fishing pattern than the tailing fish of summer but the fish are definitely still catchable.