First Redfish On The Fly - Tailing Reds Big Pine Key

kayakerinkeywest

I moved out of Key West so I could have better access for Reds, Sea Trout, and Snook.  Being in Marathon made the Everglades within range of day trips.  That I figured would be my best shot during the hot Summer.  I've been prospecting the Big Pine Key areas  and started running into a few Redfish.  That was a nice surprise but had wanted to find some Bonefish/Permit spots since it was low tide.  Kinda got stuck on a flat and was just waiting to see if I could spot some Permit tails anywhere.  I started seeing some dark backed fish with their backs out of the water zig zagging through the exposed weeds and slime.  Walked up to one thinking it was a baby Nurse shark.  I wanted to show my viewers what a tailing fish was like and what I look for.  It allowed me to walk within ten feet and I noticed it was a Redfish.  I could see the spot on the tail and everything.  I was so shocked I didn't even go back for my pole, I just stayed there and filmed it.  After seeing that, I bet on the fact that there would be more so I rigged up my fly rod with a crab imitation and just started looking.  That is when I saw a much bigger dark back cutting through the shallows.  This was perfect as even if I couldn't catch it, I at least verified that the spot was good.  This whole Redfish chase has been a back drop for a new shirt I was releasing which features a tailing Redfish and the Blue fringed tail.  So it was important to me to try and catch one on the flats and something which I thought I would have to do by driving 2.5 hours to Flamingo.  Then this one showed up and cooperated and became the catch of my year.




https://youtu.be/zJiiys9Hj_Y

lemaymiami

Nice to see them than far from Flamingo (my stomping grounds).  At the same time a few guys are finding them in south Biscayne Bay this year so things are looking up... 

Net 30

Great to see when a plan comes together - especially your first on fly and on you got it on video!

Love your enthusiasm man!  

gogittum

I like that shirt.  The fish is nice, too. 

Spineyman

Gotta love it. That is what it is all about. Finding tailing reds and sight casting. Then sealing the deal with a catch. Good job at getting it done, and the shirt as well.

jaym

Nice job. You have my respect fly fishing out of the yak with all that stuff in there.