First week of January brings reds on fly!

Had high hopes for this morning as the tide was just right to hit my favorite creek for shallow water redfish. The air temperature was in the upper 40's as I launched the Hobie this morning and paddled into a light north wind. I paddled to the back of the creek where it narrows to just six foot wide and then opens into a pond of marsh grass which was flooded by the high tide. I saw no fish in the back of the creek and the water was falling out quickly. I turned around and drifted out with the flow and about midway out spotted a school of about fifteen to twenty reds in the gin clear water. Unfortunately they spotted me as well. After sticking the anchor pin in the mud and making a few casts down the creek in their direction it was apparent they were gone. I continued to drift out with the tide and new that this creek usually doesn't pay off until three to four hours of the tide has fallen. It was that time and the light northerly wind had picked up to 15 making things difficult to impossible to see fish. I decided to stick the anchor pin and start blind casting to the areas that rarely let me down. After several casts of the DOA jerk shad I began to question the presence of any redfish until the pelican flying above made them give away there location 15 yards down the creek. The next cast was made just in front of the school and as soon as the jerk shad hit bottom it was picked up and a nice 18 inch red came to the boat which was followed by three more and a 17 inch speckled trout as a bonus. I decided to move up creek of the school and position the wind at my back so that a could cast a fly in their direction. First cast of the chartreuse and white clouser produced another feisty redfish which was followed up by three more in short order. Unfortunately I had to leave some hungry fish to ensure I made it through the mouth of this creek which at this point was only six inches to a foot deep in spots. A great day of winter redfishing in ultra shallow water. If your interested in some great winter kayak fishing get in touch with me to plan your next trip.
Chris Ellis
IBX Kayak Fishing
IBXyakfish@gmail.com
252-412-5353