Louisiana Redfish

Take the guesswork out of which flies you "need" for a trip to Louisiana by grabbing one of our custom assortments. If you would like to supplement your existing fly arsenal with a few of the must-have patterns, we would be happy to review your existing flies and make some recommendations, and make sure to review your pre-trip planner & outfitting guide for more details and particulars regarding specific patterns. 

As a rule of thumb redfish will eat just about anything properly fed to them, but you want to have a diverse selection of colors, sizes and weights with GOOD HOOKS.   Placing your order for fly kits well in advance will ensure you are properly equipped and ready for battle with the right flies.

We highly recommend multi-piece travel rods in the four and five piece models for all travel with commercial airline carriers.  Fly rods for all saltwater flats applications should be fast action models with fighting butts capable of handling windy conditions and delivering heavier flies.  Nine foot rods are the ideal length for nearly all line weights between six - twelve weights.  We also always recommend bringing a backup rod in case of breakage. For chasing Louisiana Redfish, anglers should be prepared with 8-10 weight rods with floating lines. If you are equipped with the aforementioned assortment of rods and line weights, you will be covered for all other species such as jacks, big black drum, etc.

Spring & Summer Rods for Redfish   

A nine-foot, eight-weight rod is the standard universal redfish rod used by the vast majority of all anglers during the spring and summer months.  Fish are typically in the 5-15 pound range, and an eight weight is usually enough to handle fish during these months.  You want a rod that has enough fortitude to deliver the fly in windy conditions.  However, the ideal redfish rod also has enough feel in the tip section to allow for more delicate and accurate presentations at very close casting ranges. 

Fall & Winter Rods for Redfish  

Starting in early autumn, the big bull reds begin moving into the marsh.  As the weather gets cooler anglers will have more and more opportunity for redfish in the twenty or even thirty-pound range.  Although an eight weight can get the job done in many circumstances, we encourage anglers to consider a nine or ten weight rod to handle these bigger fish properly.  It is also important to note that many bull reds usually travel in pairs or small groups.  Having a heavier rod will allow you to land the big girls quickly and get back in the water for another one!  

Reels should be anodized, corrosion-resistant saltwater models that will hold a full fly line plus the appropriate amount of backing. Reels equipped with high quality, smooth, drags are essential to prevent break-offs from the blistering runs of a hooked fish. We cannot stress enough the importance of a reel with a high quality drag! Louisiana Redfish Anglers should come prepared with reels for 8-10 weights.

100% of all redfish applications require a standard weight forward floating line, so do not bother with bringing any sort of sinking lines.  We suggest the Redfish taper lines by Scientific Anglers or Rio.  Nearly all presentations are at very short distances, so anglers want a heavy front tapered fly line for a little more assistance turning over heavier flies in windier conditions.  Fly lines can easily break on debris or oyster beds so make sure to bring additional floating lines as backup.  Reels that will accommodate up to 150 yards of twenty-pound dacron or 50+ pound gelspun backing are suggested for your redfish outfit. It is important to fish a warmwater line during the summer months and a coldwater line during the winter months. 

Redfish are not leader shy!  All guides will fish with straight 20-30 pound fluorocarbon or monofilament leader material. 

When it is hot, many anglers prefer to simply go barefooted.  However, many anglers also enjoy wearing comfortable sandals or rubber-soled shoes for more traction and/or sun protection.  During the cooler months, you definitely want some shoes that will accommodate warm socks and are water resistant. We recommend the Grundens Deck Boss Ankle Boot or the Simms Challenger 7" Deck to keep your feet warm and dry.  In the Spring-Summer months, a good pair of flip-flops or deck shoe like the Grundens CrossCurrent Boat Shoe will keep you cool while giving you grip on the bow of the skiff.

A waterproof boat bag is important for carrying your tackle and gear with you on the boat each day. Running in the boats over open water oftentimes sprays saltwater mist into the boat, so you should have some type of waterproof or water resistant bag with you in the boat for storing cameras, lenses, tackle, flies, extra reels, spools, sunscreen, rain jackets, spare reel parts, bottled water, snacks, etc. Patagonia makes a wonderful 99% waterproof bag called the Great Divider. It is also the exact dimensions of the under seat storage area on an airplane. We often use the Great Divider as our carry-on luggage. Simms and Fishpond make very comparable product in several sizes as well. Everything stays dry, salt free, and out of the humidity.

A high quality, lightweight rain jacket is another essential piece of clothing while on the marsh during warmer conditions.  Free Fly, Patagonia and Simms all make great lightweight jackets that will keep you dry during rainstorms or while crossing choppy water on a lengthy boat run.  We carry tropical weight models as well as heavier duty winter weather outerwear that is a must have in the winter months.

Bibs are an important piece of gear that has made cold and wet days on the water more comfortable, and are an essential outerwear piece, providing warmth, wind water protection, while being easily removed if the temperatures rise.

When packing, keep in mind the social atmosphere at the Woodland Plantation is extremely casual.  Fishing clothing, t-shirts, sandals, etc. are always acceptable at the dinner table.  Other than your fishing related clothing, a couple of t-shirts, and a pair of casual shorts or pants, we recommend only one set of street clothes for travel days.  

Generally speaking, the southern Louisiana marsh has a very mild climate most of the year.  However, if you are fishing in the autumn or winter months you should be prepared with cold weather gear.  Make sure to check the weather forecast prior to packing and of course ask us for details if you have any questions about what to pack.

The coastal sun is very intense even on cloudy days. Pack some sun block and lip balm with a minimum of 30SPF. We carry a number of great sunscreen products at the shop. Head and neck tubes by BUFF or Black Strap are a comfortable, lightweight, and breathable garment that functions similar to a bandanna and will keep UV rays off of your head, neck, and ears.

Hats: Bring two hats or caps for sun protection. If you are sensitive to the sun, make sure to bring a hat that covers your head as thoroughly as possible. Hats that have dark colors underneath the brim help to reduce glare from the water aiding in spotting fish.

Sungloves / Finger-Guards: Sun gloves made by Black Strap, Patagonia, BUFF or Simms are great for protecting your hands from the sun. We also recommend finger guards for protecting your fingers if you are not keen on wearing gloves.

Bug Repellent: Gnats, Mosquitoes and other biting flies may be a problem anywhere on the marsh and when hanging outside at Woodland — especially if the wind dies down. If you are particularly bothered by bugs, we recommend bringing a product with a large Deet component. We carry a number of different and effective bug repellent products at the shop. Wearing lightweight wading pants and long-sleeved shirts will also discourage biting insects and sea lice.

Insulated Gloves/Hats: During colder months, keeping heat trapped in via your head, feet, and hands is essential to staying comfortable on the water.

This is your most important piece of equipment for flats fishing, which is primarily sight- fishing. Without the ability to see the fish you are stalking, you put yourself at a great disadvantage. Copper, brown, and green lenses are the best choice for this type of fishing. Yellow lenses are great for mornings, late afternoons, and cloudy conditions. Always bring two pair of polarized sunglasses in case you lose or break a pair. Smith makes a variety of stylish frames to choose from. We can special order bifocal or trifocal lenses for many of these frames with enough advanced notice. A lanyard or “croakie” is also invaluable in order to keep from dropping or losing your glasses.  We have recommended a few popular frames / lenses below, but you can shop our full Smith Optics assortment.

Items like pliers, nippers, hemostats, and hook hones are necessities in every fishing pack. Most tools can be kept on a retractor or on a lanyard.

Pliers & Belt: Although your guide should be equipped with pliers, we recommend a quality pair of corrosion resistant pliers as an essential tool when fishing the saltwater...especially for big game. Pliers by Van Staal, Abel, or Hatch aid in hook removal, cutting heavy monofilament, and tying big game knots. All pliers should be kept in a sheath and have a check-cord to avoid dropping them overboard. Don’t forget to bring a synthetic belt to be worn in order to accommodate your pliers’ sheath.

We recommend roller style, soft-sided duffel bags for nearly all our travels. Ideally you have a bag that adheres to airline size restrictions but it is still large enough to fit a couple of rod tubes, tackle, boots and other gear. If you have a particularly large bag, we advise you to communicate with your commercial carrier as well as the TSA regarding any baggage weight restrictions that might be applicable. We carry many excellent sets of luggage by Patagonia, Simms and Fishpond. These bags are the ideal size, bulletproof, and are equipped with efficient roller systems. Some models also have separate compartments for storing wet boots and/or waders or even rod tubes. Don’t forget to mark your luggage with appropriate personal identification bag tags.

Rod Carriers: For anglers who prefer to carry on rods, you should strongly consider investing in multi-piece rods (4-piece) that will fit in a quality rod carrier. This makes it simple to consolidate all of your rods into one case and is less alarming to airport security. Our favorite is the Fishpond 4-piece carrier called the Dakota Bag. It holds numerous rods as well as room for reels and other carry-on approved tackle. We have several other quality cases in the shop as well.

There are always a few loose ends on the packing list for any trip that should not be forgotten. Turtlebox for boat tunes, toilet / medicine kit, lens clothes, packing cubes, headlamp, water bottle, measuring tape, camera, etc.