Winter redfish fly fishing along the Southeast U.S. coast demands different tactics than summer. In warm months,
redfish roam ultra-shallow flats, tail frequently, and attack flies with fast retrieves and splashy presentations.
Anglers favor floating lines, 8–10 ft leaders, and aggressive strips. In winter, cold water slows feeding behavior,
pulling reds into warm mud flats, creek mouths, and soft-current transition zones such as over oysters. A 9–10
weight fly rod still covers redfish year-round, so you don’t need a seasonal rod change. What does change is your
line and leader—winter anglers succeed using lines with longer heads which help cast further distances needed to
fool spooky red fish. Consider a 14 ft fluorocarbon leader tapered to 12 or 16 pounds. If the water is flat, calm
and slick a 6 or 7 weight rod make a softer presentation.
The best winter redfish bite window is late morning through early afternoon when tidal water is warmest. The
most productive tides are low incoming to high tide, especially during neap tide periods, which results in slower
currents and clearer water. The last two hours of outgoing tide at creek mouths is also prime as shrimp and bait
funnel past waiting reds.
Best Fly Sizes for Winter Reds
Shrimp/crab profiles: #2 to #6
Mantis shrimp & baitfish: #2 to #6
Scampi/prawn styles: #2 to #8
Downsized flies earn more cold-water eats and less disturbance when presented to the fish.
5 Best Winter Redfish Flies
1. Kwan Fly (#2–#6) – A shrimp-crab hybrid with flash and rubber legs, perfect for slow winter retrieves.
2. Prawn’s Revenge (#4–#6) – A lightly weighted or more heavily weighted shrimp pattern with excellent
movement in either shallow or deeper water. Prawn’s Revenge click to open
3. Tan Mantis Shrimp Fly (#1/0–#2) – Slim, segmented, natural profile that provokes territorial winterstrikes.
4. St. Simons Scampi (#4–#8) – A local favorite, matching winter prawns and small shrimp around docks,shell bars, and creek bends. St. Simons Scampi. Click to open tying directions
.
5. Clouser Deep Minnow (#2-#6 – A subtle, natural minnow imitation which can be heavily or lightly
weighted for use in holes or on shallow flats. Try Chartreuse/White, Tan/Brown, Black/Black and Red Fox
Tail. Adjust color for water color: dark water, dark fly; clear water, light colored fly.
When fishing the Southeast Coast, Winter red fishing on the fly means go smaller, strip slower, and fish the
warmest tides.
For more information check out the Tips and Techniques Page and the Musings: The Right Gear for Fly Fishing
Red Fish in the Winter and Winter Time Fly Fishing in Jekyll and St. Simons Island.”
Capt. David Edens
Orvis Endorsed Guide
St. Simons Island, GA
www.flycastcharters.com
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