I'm a new at fly-fishing, mostly bass and rainbow trout. My brother and I are looking to go to the coast for some red fish. I have never fly fished on the coast and was wondering if anyone knew of a good place to go for red or anything else. Also I have a 7 weight rod and reel, is that enough for red and what else should I bring for the trip.
Thanks
Randy

oh Randy, there are likely hundreds and hundreds of spots. Which section of the coast will be the most accessible to y'all? By that I mean you likely wouldn't want to go to Post Isabel if you are in Orange or Beaumont. I use that analogy in the extreme case only to illustrate my point.

Let us know what city you are in and which slice of coast appeals and a guide or references could be presented pretty easily.

The 7wt is enough if you can cast it with the ever-present wind.

Where you go depends on how much you want to sight-fish. At Galveston the marshes and bays are more like chocolate, down at South Padre they're approaching Caribbean clarity.

We are leaving from Ft. Worth so what ever will be close from there. I guess any where that I can wade fish. I'm not really interested in a guide or anything like that. Just a place to fish and maybe a fly shop near by for some hints. Let me know where you think might be a good spot to start.

Thanks

Like was stated earlier. For site casting, your odds are much better the further south you go.

Here's a goos source of data
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/pruett/txcoast/intro.htm

My fiance's got family with a place down at Port Isabel. We went down there, last summer. Fished for 3 days. Lower Laguna Madre is unlike anything else on the Texas coast. The water was crystal clear. I could see the blades of grass on the bottom, in 10' of water. We caught tons of trout. And one of her uncles caught a 30" redfish. There is a very nice fly shop, in Port Isabel. If you drive through Port Isabel, going towards S. Padre, the fly shop is on your right, just before you get to the bridge. The guy that owns the shop is named Larry Hanes. He is very knowledgeable and eager to help. He ties gorgeous saltwater flies and is an accomplished artist, to boot. And back to the fishing. You don't have to own a boat or a kayak to fish down there. One afternoon, we drove north, from S. Padre. We hung a left, just past one of the last hotels and parked. Waded right out into the grass flats. Only fished about an hour and was not able to land anything. But, I am sure with a little more time and experience, my next attempt will catch fish. I have a brother in law, who loves Port Mansfield, as well. But he is a conventional tackle angler. And I hear the water is not as clear, up there. Regardless, there are tons of places to choose from. The coast is so long. I just grew up in Houston. And the thought of going anywhere around Trinity Bay or Galveston, just makes me nauseous and think of the smell of raw sewage. I am sure I am wrong to say those things about Galveston and the Trinity. But I now live in DFW and wouldn't go near the Trinity, either. So, my suggestion is go south. I also read a good article a while back about Goose Island State Park. You might want to check that out.

Regards,

Gray

Will floating line be best for sight casting on the beach or do I need some sort of sinking line. Most of my fishing will be on shore or wading out. Also what type of flies should I bring. All I have is trout flies and bass flies.

Thanks,
Randy

Floating line or, a full intermediate line. Usually the full int lines are clear. The intermediate is better in the surf and just as good on the flats. You can't work a popper long with the intermediate line, but you can work it long enough between the waves in the surf to catch trout or ladyfish. On the flats, I don't think a popper is a must have. It will catch fish but not a must have.

Flies: baitfish patterns, shrimp patterns. Ignore the crab patterns for the most part they're generally hard to cast.

Some Bendbacks, some Seaducers, and maybe a few Clousers will cover 90% of your fishing. Do have some BIG poppers for the surf, like 1/2" in diameter. You have to make a lot of noise but if you are there at first light, you can often pull some specs on big poppers. If you're really brave and the wind is less than 15 in your face throw a light Clouser behind the popper in the surf.

What type of leader should I bring for this trip?

Johbarne14,
I have used 12# leaders and tippet. But I know people who use 10# or even 8# line, for their spinning outfits. One of my fiance's uncles actually uses 8# line. And he caught a 30" Red on it last summer. I am not so daring. 12# is what I have been using and shrimp imitation streamers is what I used to catch trout. I was not successfull in snagging any reds. But, you can be sure I am going back, this summer.

Regards,

Gray

Thanks for everything guys. I think we are heading to port aransas. I'll keep you updated on are plans. If you know any place to fish around there let me know.

Randy

Contact Tailwaters fly shop in dallas they can tell you where to fish and get all your flies etc..

If I am flying with my fly rod what do I need to do about my rod and any gear( flies, hooks, tool) to bring on the flight.

Randy

If I were going after redfish I would for sure have to take a lone some gold spoon flies with 10 pd florcardon tipits.

Hooks, flies and most tools will need to be in your checked luggage. You may be able to carry on your rods, if they are short enough to put in the overhead. Some planes have a coat closet that they can put the longer cases in but I wouldn't count on it. If your rod case is silver, spiral some kind of bright tape around it otherwise it will blend in with the inside of the plane and could be overlooked by the unloader.
You should be able to carry on your reels. I was givin some greif over the line on my saltwater reels in Mexico once.(Right after 9-11). I was not about to peel off miles of expensive line, plus all that effort getting those knots just right etc, so I played mucho dumb tourist. Me no speaky da Es-pahn-yo. Got em so frustrated, they gave up and waved me on through. (I suspect they were looking for the mordida.)

Alright guys, We are going to Mustang Island State Park. Anyone know of any good areas to fish for reds or trout let me know. We will be there around July 1 to the 3. We are willing to drive an hour to find a spot or more if it's worth the trip. Any good Fly shops let me know as well. Thanks for all the help, I didn't know this forum would help me out as much as it has.

This is one of the best deals around, this book is online and free.

Fly Fishing the Texas Coast: Backcountry Flats to Bluewater

Consider renting a Kayak. Wade fishing can be great down there but a yak really opens up the available water for you.

Check with Dean or Jen at Slowride Kayaks in Aransas Pass. He Guides in the kayaks as well.

http://www.slowrideguide.com/