Fishing License – Purchase a Texas fishing license before you arrive. You can do so online at the Texas parks and wildlife department or in person at sporting goods stores Click here to buy one online.
Lunch or snack for yourself – On full day trips, we will break for lunch and eat on the boat. We encourage reusable water bottles to cut down on plastic waste. We provide water and a storage cooler for food and water.
Fishing gear – If you prefer to use your personal fly rods, reels and flies, bring those along. The same goes for spinning tackle. I provide fishing gear if you don’t bring your own. I recommend an eight weight rod with a weight forward floating line.
Clothing – Dress for the time of the year and being on the water for 7-8 hours. Experienced anglers and boaters know the effects of wind, sun, heat and cold and how to dress for various conditions. Deck shoes or tennis shoes will work for the poling skiff. Bring a hat that provides shade. If you plan on wading, bring wading shoes. If you are new to fly fishing for redfish and being on the water, browse through the gallery page of this website to get an idea of what anglers are wearing for the conditions. Go to the Gallery page
Polarized sunglasses – You can’t catch a fish if you can’t see the fish. Spotting redfish is a developed skill that starts with a good pair of polarized sunglasses, copper lenses preferred. If you can see redfish before they see you, it improves your chances for an accurate cast in a timely fashion.
Casting ability – Nothing is more frustrating than casting to redfish and being unable to place a fly or lure where the fish can see it. Redfish feed in a head-down position and when doing so their sight is limited. The ability to accurately cast 30 feet is required to be successful. Accurate means within a foot or two in front of the fish. Proficient fly fishermen can manage an accurate cast of fifty feet but an accurate caster with a range of 30 feet will catch a lot of fish. Casting to fish in the wind includes managing the fly line and being in a “ready” position to get the fly in front of the fish with a minimum of false casts and in a timely manner. Practice never hurts. There are excellent instructional videos available on line. Having said that, some of my clients prefer to fish with spinning gear and have the same thrill of stalking redfish from a poling skiff and casting to them. Either method works for me.
Accomodations – I am comfortable recommending the following businesses because I know these folks and how they run their business.
Melissa at Arroyo Cabin Rentals has a nice selection of properties available to accommodate almost any size group. In addition, she runs the Hooked On The Arroyo restaurant and can serve a good meal either at the restaurant or catered where you are staying.
Ray at Arroyo Lodge has a lovely lodge that specializes in hosting fishing and hunting groups. He even has a small tackle shop that includes both fly fishing and spin casting gear of excellent quality.
Questions – If, after reading the material on this website, you have unanswered questions about what gear to bring, contact me and I’ll clarify what you need.