Fly Fishing - Shad fishing

bigpopper · Location: Middle Tennessee

Hello,
I'm new to the board and looking to expand my knowledge and experiences in flyfishing here. Ive been flyfishing for Bass, Bluegill, Bream, Stripers, and Gar for 8 years now. Got into Trout 2yrs ago and am now hooked on catching those as well. I tried my hand at the saltwater couple years back; in the Destin FL area, but not to much luck. I will be hitting that same area of Destin Forida in a week, and would really like to have a better idea of what I'm doing while I'm there. I will be taking the 8wt with a weight forward line and sink tip. I also have a few crab and shrimp pattern flies. I will greatly appreciate any help.
Thanks!

dann · Location: Lancaster pa

Im new to the salt as well, and I was down in St Petersburg this june and cought a variety of fish off of small clouser minnows pink and white, or chartruse and white, with more white than the other color . shrimp patterns also work well along bridges and jetties blind casting, caught a couple of gag groupers; nothing huge around 15 to 18" but they fought like tanks. I used the clousers when fishing bait balls along the beach, I would cast to the outside of the ball and strip fast; caught leather jacks, lady fish and one jack cravel and a snook . mostly leathers and ladies, but it was a blast for me so much action, i would be beat after 3-4hrs. I have an 8wt with 9wt wf line used a 25lb fl carb tipet maybe 12" long tied to an 8' 12 lb leader , the leather jacks are like parana and chew up your stuff quick.

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

Hi,

I visited some relatives in Destin Florida a while back when I was just starting out fly fishing. I remember walking the beaches in the morning and afternoon when the surf was calm and seeing pods of spanish mackerel chasing bait. I was able to catch a few from foot, but most of the time the fish were just out of reach. I rented a kayak for a day and had a blast chasing fish around, just off the shore. I caught plenty spanish mackerel and I think I can recall a couple bluefish too. They weren't too big but they were lot's of fun. Sounds like your fly rod/line setup is perfect for surf fishing and bay fishing. Consider bringing a few clousers of various sizes and colors, just for good measure. And, it can't hurt to have some Deceivers too ... I believe that's what I was catching the spanish mackerel on. The clousers will be a good bottom fly for blind casting for sea trout, redfish, sheepshead, sea trout etc.. I think that September is a decent month for tarpon in that region too. Good luck, hope this helps a little .. let us know how you do.

PS. I remember lot's of low bridges in the area with guys fishing on them. Everyone I met and asked were very helpful with what they had been catching and on what tides etc. The bridge fisherman can often be a great source of intel for what is being caught, what tides, etc. I remember talking to one guy on a bridge who had been catching redfish consistently ... of course, I had to leave the next day. Hope to make it back someday! Destin is a beautiful section of Florida and a big fishing town.

bigpopper · Location: Middle Tennessee

Thanks yall! I'll deffinitly be put the helpful info to use. I picked up some size #2 cart/white clousers today.

dann · Location: Lancaster pa

Also I forgot to metion clouser swimming minnows, I caught a littel bit of every thing on these as well, I also found that the best place to buy the clouser stuff if from Bob clouser him self at (clouserflyfishing.com) . The heads are all epoxyed and the materials are top notch for the same price. The only thing is some times they take a little time to get to your house. I live 20 minutes from his shop and had to waite 2 weeks for the order, but its worth it. I have bought clousers from every where, and his are the best hands down.... my .02

Dan

bigpopper · Location: Middle Tennessee