"It's a sweet, fishy smell that only red drum have," he said. "If I smell that, I know they are here." Casting a fly with such a big float is not like casting a rig with a tiny strike indicator in a trout stream. The captain said it is a good idea to practice casting this supersized rig before arriving for a crack at a redfish. "Try not to make so many casts," he said. "Make fewer, longer, 40- to 60-foot casts and you will be more effective. Remember, it is a good day if you catch one fish. Four fish is an outstanding day." He casts into the schools of menhaden, with the strike often coming as the fly reaches the edges. He positions his boat 10 yards away to avoid spooking the baitfish. The other reason for taking the time to make long-distance casts is that it translates into more float pops per retrieve.
September 2018
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