Fly Fishing

emsmith · Newbie Joined: Jul 05, 2007 Posts: 5

hey guys I'm new here and new to fly fishing! For graduation this year my dad picked me out a fly rod, a Temple Fork Outfitters NXT 5/6wt 9fter. I live on Mobile Bay in Alabama and close to the Gulf Coast. This next week we will be staying at the beach and I thought i'd take my fly rod for kicks. Any tips on what flies to use? Usually we fish from the beach and catch ladyfish..

I am not very good at casting yet but I'm trying. I don't really have time to take a fly casting class this summer so that will have to wait I guess! My father taught me as best he could and I consider myself decent for an amateur!

Also, what flies to use for speckled trout in the bay? I also might try for sheephead and anything else I can find on the jetties!

Thanks in advance!
Evan Smith

Marcel_Karssies · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:00 am Post subject:

I fished the Gulf beaches in Naples, FL and did well with EP flies in Olive/green, Black,purple.
Off course the Clouser minnows are also extremely good flies and easy to ty, Chartreuse/white and Black ones.

I have noticed that most local pier fisherman use Pink jigs with succses on Ladyfish, Pompano's and Mackerels so a pink clouser or Pink/white might also be a pattern you should try.

I have never caught a Sheepshead although I have seen plenty tailing at inlets and jetties.
Since these fish are caught by baitfisherman with sandfleas maybe a pattern that resembles that type of bait might work.
I usually do not bother with them.

Although I have not used them yet in the Gulf shrimp patterns might also be something to have.
When I return to Florida this fall I will bring with me my boxes with the Baltic sea flies which contain a host of shrimp patterns.
I figure that I could catch Croakers and Pompano's with those at the beach.

Are there any Snook around where you are at?

emsmith · Newbie Joined: Jul 05, 2007 Posts: 5

Thanks for the reply!
I've never heard of anyone catching snook near here, at least not on the beach, but I may be wrong. Usually we wake up early enough to be at the beach at sunrise and sometimes the ladyfish will hit as soon as the sunlight hits the water. We use those pink jigs you were talking about with some success. The sand fleas are thebest bait for almost anything down there it seems, but i think I'll have a hard time tying a fly to look like one!

I have yet to catch a fish on my fly rod yet, so even if I just catch a pinfish I'll be happy!

Marcel_Karssies · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:25 pm Post subject:

The ladyfish should be a blast on the flyrod, any chance of Spanish Mackerel where you are at?

Below some of the flies I caught Ladyfish with:

Ladyfish on EP minnow (Olive/white)

Ladyfish on black clouser minnow.

Ladyfish hunting

Ladyfish on gurgler

Ladyfish on popper.

emsmith · Newbie Joined: Jul 05, 2007 Posts: 5

Nice pics! Ok I'm gonna go tie a black clouser now and maybe go purchase some like those other two...Can you give me more detail on what theyre called?

I know a boat captain who runs along the beach every morning to advertise for his dolphin cruises and I have been invited to go along to fish along the beach. They have seen everything from tuna to cuda, just around 100 yards offshore and further in! They sometimes will see tarpon and catch king as well...I don't plan to be using my fly rod out there though... Laughing

How big of a saltwater fish can my rig handle?? I am really unfamiliar with fly rods and reels, but I know several times last year those damn skipjacks would take my jig, run and jump and break my 10# test...Of course I wasnt as skilled then as I am now! Cool

Marcel_Karssies · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 8:25 am Post subject:

A 5-6 weight would be a tad light for fishing the beach although it would suffice for the lighter work when wind is not a problem.
You should do allright with that outfit for the ladyfish allthough I am not sure if the rod in question is suited for saltwater use=corrosive enviroment.

If you do get into bigger fish you will just have to take care not to horse the fish in, I did on previous occasions and the result is always a broken rod.
If you are going to like that flyfishing on the beach you might opt for an 8-weight in the future.
What are considered skipjacks in your neck of the woods ?
Down in SW Florida they gave that name to Leatherjackets.

Leatherjacket, they have nasty spikes on their belly and back...

As for flies, I have never tied the EP flies myself but bought them at the local Orvis outfitter.

EP minnow = peanut butter fly (good color combination)

emsmith · Newbie Joined: Jul 05, 2007 Posts: 5

Oh sorry, here we call ladyfish skipjacks mostly! Headed down today, will hopefully have some pics up of my success this week!