Fly Cast Charters of St. Simons Island, GA

The last week, before the high, flood tides, the reds were on the low tide flats and feeding heavily on small shrimp.  Even with water temperatures at 85 degrees, the reds are  moving and smashing bait.  As soon as the flood tides started the first of this week, the low tide fishing slowed down dramatically.  The fish are still there, but they aren’t moving or smashing bait like they were earlier this month.

However, with the advent of the flood tides, the reds are in the grass and are tailing

The "Purple Passion"

heavily.  Last night, I went out with a friend to check out a new flat.  There wasn’t anything tailing in this good looking flooded grass, but that is the way it goes..  Then we went to check out another new grass flat, and within an hour, we saw ten tailers with one huge fish that was swimming around with his back out of the water. I had three shots with the fly rod, and connected with one. He smashed the same small, dark fly that was so effective last week on the low tide.  I have named the fly the Purple Passion.  I listed the recipe in the last post, and here is a picture.

The tides are receding now, and I expect the low tide fishing to pick back up by the weekend.  The next tides for tailers are July 29th and 30th.  Possibly the 28th as well.

If you get a chance, tie up a few “Purple Passions” and go sight fish to the red fish!

Remember, tight lines, strip strike and practice the double haul.

Capt. Dave

June and July saw the return of the hot, stable weather pattern to the Golden Isles. With the hot, stable weather the low tide fishing has been best in the morning.  The flood tide fishing on the new and full moons has been hot, with shots at anywhere from five to a dozen fish being common place.   Here is a short video I shot while landing a red in the grass:

Earlier this week, Paul and Jeremy fished with me.  Both were successful, and Paul landed his first red fish on a fly rod.  There are several places we can sight fish for “floaters” on the high tide when the wind is down and the water is clear.  With smaller tidal fluctuations, which means clear water, the first week in August will offer an exceptional opportunity to fish for these fish on the high tide.   Check out this video of Paul landing his first Red from one of the “Floater” spots:

The low tide drops continue to produce Red Fish, particularly in the morning before the water gets hot.  The video on the home page is of Jeremy taking a fish on the low tide.

As the tide runs, there are hundreds of trout and small reds on the oyster drops.  Float fishing can produce large numbers of small trout and reds.  A few keepers are mixed in. but for the most part, the trout are undersized.  Dozens of rat reds can be landed during the day.  Even if they were “slotties” (legal fish to keep) we release all red fish.  The long rodder can enjoy catching dozens of trout and reds on a fly by fishing the creek mouths and oyster rakes, with the occasional Lady Fish and Blue Fish thrown in for variety.

While I can’t guarantee you will connect, we have been fortunate on every charter so far this year in having multiple shots at nice reds.

Another exciting part of late summer fishing in the Golden Isles  is fishing to the bait balls off of the Golden Isles.  Shots at Spanish, Jacks and Tarpon all present themselves.  You just have to get out there and look for the birds working the bait.  The fish will be there.

I was crossing the sound coming back from a charter earlier this week and saw my first school of big Jack Crevalle.   Although not as glamorous as a Tarpon, the opportunity to catch this fish on a fly rod is MUCH greater.  These fish greedily take a bunker pattern or crease fly, average 25-30 lbs and put up a fight that lasts anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour.  Our area offers a legitimate chance to take the state record.  Come on, long rodders.  Let’s take that record on a fly rod!!

Dates in August when the flood tide fishing in the grass will be great are from August 6-9th and August 11th to the 16th.   Give me a call for the best and available dates.

Until then, tight lines, practice the double haul and strip strike!

Capt. Dave