A Red Letter Day

I have been wanting to cast a fly at redfish for years.  Seems like I have just never been in the right place at the right time to make it happen.  I recently took a family vacation to Hilton Head Island, SC and I knew there were good redfish waters a stones throw away.  A great way to maximize some time on the water is to take a day and fish for the local fare when you get away on vacation or a business trip.  I finally had my chance to chase a few reds.

South Carolina has a strong redfishery throughout the year.  Slot limits were put in place for redfish about 5 years ago that have resulted in a significant increase in numbers and size of the red drum in this area.  50% of the South Carolina inshore marshes are in Beaufort County.  During the spring months the South Carolina redfish tend to be less spooky because most fisherman are pursuing other species.  Casting to tailing fish in the flats is much easier in the spring.  The summer months present different challenges.  Redfish tend to be in smaller schools during the warm weather and they focus their attentions on fiddler crabs, shrimp, and finger mullet.  You can still find some times to cast at tailing reds in the summer during higher tides.  The fall is the premier time to chase redfish on the fly in South Carolina.  As the waters cool, the reds become more aggressive.  The bait fish tend to thin out during the fall, so the drums are much more aggressive towards casted flies.  The South Carolina winter months present very clear waters.  The fish experience almost no pressure during these months.  Redfish tend to hold in large tight schools in the winter months.  This presents the best opportunity of the year for site fishing.

Greg and I met up with Bay Street Outfitters' Orvis Endorsed head guide, Captain Tuck Scott on an overcast Thursday morning, excited about chasing a new species on the fly.    We were set to fish the flats of the Broad River, just south of Beaufort, SC.  The previous days weather had been hot and humid.  Some overnight rain showers from a cold front left us with a day of cooler more comfortable temperatures.

The high tide was coming in as we departed down river in Tuck's Maverick 17-HPX-V.  There was a slight cool breeze and we encountered a few sprinkles here and there.  Greg and I both immediately commented that we always have our best days in the rain.

Early in the day, the reds were elusive.  We would see fish at a distance, but as we approached them, they seemed pretty spooky.  As the rain picked up we approached a flat that Tuck indicated he nearly always finds fish.  This particular flat was a little stained and we had difficulty seeing the fish.  Greg was on the bow casting and Tuck encouraged him that this is one of those places that blind casting might just work out.

Greg began casting the Dupree Spoon Fly at Tucks direction and before long we finally had our first redfish on the line.  The fish was full of energy and not being familiar with this species, Greg found it difficult to determine the size of the fish.  We knew it was not a monster, but the thing sure had some pull.  He landed a spectacular red.  It may not have been trophy size, but Greg will always have that red burned into his memory as the first one he landed.

As we moved to another area of flats I prepared to take the bow for some casting.   As Tuck stood high on the poling tower on the lookout for reds, I was making some blind casts.  The flat we were on had the expected shallow area near shore with a deep cut channel parallel to the shoreline and then another long shallow flat.  I was casting to the shoreline and stripping the spoon across the channel. 

As I pulled the spoon across the channel a few casts in, an huge redfish ascended and attacked the spoon fly.  I was nearly in shock at the size of the fish.  Tuck yells down from the tower, "That fish is 32" + buddy, lets land him."  That is when everything went into slow motion.  The fish began to dart away.  As I looked down at the butt end of the rod I noticed the fly line was looped around the butt.   I anxiously flipped the line off of the butt of the rod.  Just as I began to experience a feeling or relief, the line I had just flicked off the butt of the rod looped around my left 3rd finger.  The line immediately pooled tight around my finger...SNAP.  I don't recall if I maintained my composure in the next moment, but I'm guessing I didn't.

My first redfish hook-up was the fish of a lifetime....and I lost him.  I picked my ego up off of the deck and began casting again.  The same scenario quickly ensued again.  This time there were several fish from the channel chasing the spoon fly.  Two of the fish were very large and of course, their little brother was tagging along.  Apparently the little brother was also a little quicker and once again I had a FISH ON.

As Greg experienced, this little guy had some fight.  I was really impressed with his strength, knowing he was not a big fish.  He was a stunning little male.  He had a jet black spot on the back of the tail and the tail fin was nearly sky blue.  As I posed with the fish for a picture he began the drumming that lead to his namesake.

We had a great day on the flats of the Broad river.  We gained valuable experience that will prepare us for future redfish trips. We saw several bonnethead sharks and an huge loggerhead turtle.  To Captain Tuck's credit, he spent some time with me to help refine my long casting skills.  There have been almost no times in my fly fishing career that I have had to accurately cast 70-80 feet.  Tuck showed me some good tips on tightening up my loops and accurately casting at a long distance. 

With the devastation of the Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi coastlines from the BP oil spill, a lot of folks that normally chase reds in those areas will be looking for new waters.  If you are interested in a great redfishery and a first class guide, get a hold of Tuck Scott at Bay Street Outfitters in Beaufort, SC ASAP, because I anticipate as busy as he is now, he is going to be really busy over the next few years.