Redfish Gear

[Michael Phillippe]

I have an opportunity to fish for redfish outside New Orleans the last weekend in February. I’ve never fished salt water before, but will have a guide for the trip.

What kind of rod/reel/line does one need for redfish? Any other suggestions for gear?

[Bob Riggins]

I use a 9 foot 8wt, particularly in the winter when the wind is more likely to be blowing.

[keith b]

I think Bob covered it well. If you are going with a guide will he not have gear?

[Michael Phillippe]

Thanks guys! According the the info we received, the guide will have gear but I prefer to use my own rod when possible. I will take my Sage 9 ft 8 wt with Orvis larger arbor reel. Was thinking of taking my 6 wt as a back up. Is it too light for redfish?

[Tim Pommer]

Bob about nailed it.

[Adam McDowell]

Michael, Bob brought up a great point with regards to tropical lines. They typically do not do well in water temps below 70 degrees, you get a slinky effect.

I like SA’s coldwater floating redfish line, and rio makes a comparable product.

On a side note, I like to hand furle a leader using this method below with 20# fluoro and add a few feet of 12# or 15# for tippet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbcVaEe3RIs
A standard bonefish leader will be fine though

[Bob Riggins]

I use a 6wt in the summer in calm winds.

[dan h]

Any decent saltwater setup 6-10wt will do.

[Grant Wright]

Michael — It looks like they have the gear advice covered.

[craig phillips]

Not to hijack the thread, but… Adam – thanks for the link to our YouTube furled leader video!

[Matt Jones]

Didn’t have time to read all the posts. Below is what we like to set up our customers for trips to Southern LA:

You’ll want a rod (prefer 9wt in case of wind) with a softer tip so you can load a short cast easily- you will be surprised how many casts you will make within 10ft of your rod tip. Last year I literally cast 2 feet from the bow and caught that fish!

As far as line goes, I would go with the SA Coldwater Redfish line. It casts much better in the cold than the regular redfish line. I wouldn’t bother with a sinking line at all. The fish SHOULD be in shallow water.

Reel- anything with a good drag. You will most likely run into fish upwards of 20lbs.

Flies- big crabby stuff.

Check out our online brochure for the operation we have going down there. You will get a good feel for what the area is all about…

http://www.tailwatersflyfishing.com/travel/destination/view/id/80
Click the magazine to the right of the sliding images.

Have fun down there, we have been getting nothing but outstanding reports!

Matt

www.mattjonesphotography.com

[Michael Phillippe]

Thanks for the advice all!

Matt, I like the look of Woodland. I may have to try that next year.

Michael

[cartermcleod]

Spoons work good as well.

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