Fly Fish The Everglades For Redfish
The Everglades is known in the fishing world as one of the most unique locations to fly fish for redfish.
Redfish are one of the most resilient fish that inhabit the saltwater shallows of the Southeastern United States. They can thrive in water that is a little too cold and a little too hot, a bit salty and a bit fresh. Brown, green, black, and clear water conditions can all hold redfish. Redfish can be found along the entire gulf coast and all the way up the Atlantic seaboard to Chesapeake Bay. The Everglades variety of redfish are year round residents that spend the majority of their days in areas that are a bit saltier than fresh and heavily influenced by the tides. They spend time in the shallows working shorelines for their next meal of baitfish, crabs, and/or shrimp and have big appetites. They can be found crawling a shoreline, floating in the open, rooting around oyster bars, swimming in schools, and tailing on grass flats. Redfish are almost perfect and have one major flaw; they don’t jump when hooked. Nonetheless their numbers are healthy in the Everglades, and they provide great opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.
Redfish Fly Fishing In The Everglades
Redfish inhabit a lot of the same areas as snook, and a day spent redfishing the Everglades usually includes some encounters with them. If the wind is calm, and the sun is bright, there are expansive mud flats where redfish can be caught pushing and tailing in the wide open. Most of the time fly fishing for redfish in the Everglades involves poling leeward shorelines on lower water and looking for fish swimming, pushing, and tailing down the banks. Redfish are almost always on the move, but when they are not are easier to spot than a motionless snook as their big head profile and bright pectoral fins usually give them away.
Covering water while looking for redfish is a game of patience because visually covering a likely area for redfish is tedious. As the guide quietly pushes the boat, and a fish is spotted the angler and guide work as a team to position and take a shot. Shots at redfish aren’t usually long and can sometimes be rather short. There might be obstacles in the way that might need a pinpoint accurate shot well timed to the fish’s movement. Generally speaking redfish readily grab flies places in their path of movement and stripped quickly across their faces. Redfish fight by pulling. They aren’t the fastest runners or dirtiest brawlers but pull hard until they can’t anymore.
Redfish are one of the most commonly targeted fish by fly anglers in the Everglades, and it is nice to see so many around these days. Multiple fish days of redfishing in the Everglades are not uncommon for anglers of all abilities.
Everglades Redfish Fly Fishing Charter Details
Capt. Chandler Williams offers full day and half day Everglades redfish fly fishing trips and multiple boats are available for groups of more than 2 people. Contact us for current rates and availability. All trips include tackle/flies, fuel costs, launch fees, and a cooler with water and ice.
Payments And Deposits
Cash, Check or Venmo.
Credit cards through Venmo (additional service charges may occur)
$150 per day per guide deposit for all trips
Venmo or mail deposits to:
Chandler Williams
17A 12th Ave
Key West, FL 33040
What To Bring
Polarized sunglasses (amber, copper, and green lenses preferred)
Hat and any needed sun protection
9, 10, & 12 wt. rods (if own gear is preferred)
Quick drying clothing
Rain gear, jackets and pants
Shoes with non-marking soles
A positive attitude (most important part of having a successful trip)
Capt. Chandler Williams
Capt. Chandler is a full-time Florida fly fishing guide and a tarpon nomad. He fishes different areas of the state year-round to provide his clients the best possible opportunity to catch the fish of their dreams.
