Redfish on the Fly

Report Date: May 8, 2004

Robert Priest, owner of Priest Pest Control of Ocala, and fellow member of The Campfire Flyfishing Club, wanted to catch a big redfish on a flyrod.

So, we set a date and met at the dock at MacRaes of Homosassa and headed for the backcountry. The flats are gin clear this time of year and we were in hopes of sight casting to tailing redfish and catching a Bubba Red.

I had spotted a large school of big fish the day before and we headed for their haunt. As we arrived in the backcountry, the tide was low and the water was skinny. We had tailing redfish in sight!! We approached carefully, poling the Hewes Redfisher silently. We spooked a small group of big oversized reds. Darn!!! But wait, just ahead was a bruiser just laying there in the clear water about 12 inches deep.
"Robert, bout 2 o'clock at 30 feet" I said. Robert pointed his rod. "Yep, that's it!" He made a few false cast and laid the fly right in front of the Big Red's nose. It settled to the bottom. "Strip it", I said. He moved it about 6 inches and the Red couldn't stand it and charged it, inhaling the fly. "Stick 'em" And Robert did a masterful job of setting the hook and Bam!!! the fight was on!!

Robert Priest-Ocala 14.5 lb Red on the Fly

That big ol' spotted tail Red headed for the other side of the pond, stripping line from the fly reel. "WaHoo, hold him Robert". The red made one head shaking, long run after another and for 20 minutes, Robert had his battle with a big red. Each time he would get the big fish close to the boat, he would get his second wind and make a big swirl and splash with his big tail, spraying water and take line and head the other way.
Robert did a perfect job of applying just the right amount of pressure on the fly reel and after a great battle, brought the big fish onboard.

Smilin' like a mule eating biers with a big red on the other end of the flyrod

Robert was smiling like a mule eating briers!! As you can see by the picture. A 33 inch, 14.5 pound redfish on an 8 weight fly rod!!!
Magnificantly done!!

The fish was pictured and released unharmed to fight another day. Another great day in the Homosassa backcountry.

Folks, if you want to sight fish for big reds or big tarpon on our crystal clear flats like
Robert did, just give me a call. It doesn't get any better than this...

Tarpon season is in full swing and we have a few open dates, so give me a call.

Until next time.....

Captain Ed

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