Now we all know there are a slew of cars named after animals – Impalas, Cougars, Jaegers, Vipers, Colts, Cobras, Mustad, Broncos, Super Bees…..etc. But are there any cars named after fish? Yup there are a few. Just a few. The Barracuda comes immediately to mind. And the Stingray is one too. Can you name the one in the photo?
In the backcountry, the water takes on a tannic stain when the rainy season hits Florida’s Gulf Coast. The source is the mangrove roots along the shoreline. And as it happens, redfish change color too, becoming bronze. This redfish, that my friend Dave caught, is a prime example.
When winter returns this fish will fade, becoming much paler, almost silver, especially if it decides to live over a sand colored bottom.
Did you see the touch of blue in its tail? See it in the its rim? This is unusual for summer. Typically, a blue tail is seen in winter. This link will explain
There are moments in fishing that seem to last for eternity. You never shake them. A while back I posted a special moment at Lobsterville Beach on Martha’s Vineyard. This time it’s a dawn morning on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Mark’s Bluefin Tuna
Well Mark sure is happy with this one, a tuna of abut fifty pounds on light spin gear. What a war that must have been! Freshwater, saltwater, it doesn’t matter. Mark is one hell of an angler. Thumbs up dude.
In my experience, sight-fishing for redfish typically involves reds from 22″- 28″. Why? These are the red most often found in shallow water were sight-fishing is done. But there are exceptions, such as a redfish recently caught by my friend Dave. This chunk is 35″ long; that’s a beast.
Dave tells me that he saw a group of reds traveling in a sand tough, a narrow trench-like structure often found running along the inside edge of a sand bar. In fact, I can see the bar in the background. He cast a fly ahead of the reds, allowing it to sink before retrieving it along the bottom. The largest red in the group shot out and nailed the fly. That bad boy torn off 50 yards into the backing more than once before Dave could land it. What a war and his biggest red in two years.
So what fly did the honors? It was Dave’s favorite shrimp pattern, seen above. Dave’s ties it on a number 2 Gamakatsu hook, with a long orange craft fur tail, orange crystal flash chenille and grizzle hackle. The fly is weighted, as you can see, and trimmed to ride hookup. Great job Dave!
