Fly fishing is about growth. Not just as an angler, but also as a person. It follows you along in your travels, and camps out with you when you decide to plant your roots. Every fish has its challenge and every fish has something new to teach you. So far, by chasing redfish on the fly I have learned countless lessons about life and how to measure success. These flies were the tools that helped me along the way.
First up is a realistic, shrimp gurgler pattern that I developed for sight fishing spooky redfish in Central Florida. The name of this one is the Poppin’ Flats Shrimp. This fly is not only fantastic on redfish, but works very well for snook and baby tarpon as well.
Check out our selection of our favorite shrimp flies on our Online Fly Shop.
Learn to tie the Poppin’ Flats Shrimp in the HD Fly Tying Video below.
This next fly made the the list for obvious reasons, and needs little to no introduction. I am pretty sure that it is a staple with most anglers that are in pursuit of redfish. I like to tie my clousers fairly sparse and in a high tie style. The black clouser in this picture below is tied in a tradtional pattern and the other two are tied in a high tie style. My largest redfish was 46 inches and was caught on a Fl. green and white clouser minnow similar to the one pictured below.
View our selection of High Tie, Ostrich Clouser Minnows on our Online Fly Shop.
View our HD Photo Tutorial for this fly by CLICKING HERE!
Next up is a killer pattern for obvious reasons. Candy Corn Crawler is a great choice when targeting redfish. Redfish in the lagoon and Indian River systems of Florida’s space coast have an obsession with this type of fly. It is a mix of a number of different patterns and works great as a shrimp, crab or even a baitfish.
View the Candy Corn Crawler pattern on our Online Fly Shop.
Ok, another classic pattern I love chasing reds with is the “Go-To” Sparkle Shrimp. This pattern is in the color scheme I tend to fish most. This shrimp fly comes in two different color patterns on my online fly shop and is great as a search pattern or sight fishing. Over the years I have had some big gator trout slam this fly as well.
View the “Go-To” Sparkle Shrimp pattern on our Online Fly Shop.
So there they are guys. My top 4 fly patterns for fishing Central Florida redfish. If you have any comments or patterns to share please comment in the space below. Also remember to follow this blog and like Backwater Fly Fishing on Facebook.
Tight lines,
Backwater Fly Fishing / Jesse Males 
How big should we tie gurglers? Thanks and great photo!
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I have tied them in all different sizes depending on the situation and the fish i am after. The main thing is making sure you use a hook that does not weigh the fly down too much. Also dont put to much material on the underside of the hook. If you do, then it will skim the surface rather and get a nice chug/pop.
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Hi Jesse. I’m coming out from the uk to fish for reds in early May. We are staying in hernando beach. Any tips on fly selection would be greatly appreciated also you know any guides that work in that area.
Tight lines
Ade
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That is a great area to fish for sure. I grew up just north of there in Crystal River. As for flies, The Poppin Flats Shrimp, the Candy Corn Crawler, the Flash Fur Baitfish, the Backwater Special, and the Tarantula Shrimp are all some of my favorite patterns for fishing over there. If you will be fishing for tarpon then the Black Death, Tarpon Bunny, or Tarpon Baitfish are great choices as well. If you do not tie your own flies then you can find all of those on my online fly shop, http://www.backwaterflies.com. As for a guide, I would get in touch with Capt. Rhett with Once Bitten Fishing LLC. If you have any more questions feel free to email me at backwaterflyfishing@yahoo.com.
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