Early Season Winter Reds, December 2024

Towards the end of November, I ran a few Redfish sight fishing trips amongst my Albie charters.  I was surprised to see the water was already crystal clear before Thanksgiving.  On top of that, the fish were already schooling in groups approaching one hundred fish.

By the time the water temps dropped into the low 50s and the Albies left, the Redfishing was in full swing in the marsh.  We had crystal clear water and loads of schooled up Redfish the first week of December.  Water temps have ranged from 50-55 degrees, and the fish are in groups of 25 to 100 in their wintering areas.

When the sun has been shining and the winds have been low, the sight fishing on fly and spin has been excellent.  Imagine seeing a group of 75 fish slowly swimming towards your boat in less than a foot of crystal-clear water.  Make a few false casts and drop your fly in front of the school.  Let it sink and make a few strips as the school swims over your fly.  Another strip and a fish midway back in the school tips down and inhales it.  Suddenly the surface boils as the fish flee and your fly line goes tight as it sizzles across the water's surface.

Winter can be the absolute best time for sight fishing Redfish on fly or spin here on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina.  The combination of clear water and hungry schooled fish is a great recipe for a killer day on the water.

Speaking of fish, we are only a week away from finishing a completely catch and release year on Redfish.  We were fortunate to catch plenty of Reds this year, and we watched every single one swim away to go make babies and hopefully be caught again another day.

Even in the dead of winter, we have good numbers of flounder around that will take a
​fly or light tackle jig.

Our winter sight fishing for Reds will continue through the end of March.  January and February are excellent months to get your reps in sight fishing Redfish.  We have openings now through the end of March if you would like to experience this excellent fishery.

Happy angler with a successfully sight fished Redfish on fly.

Redfish that fell for a well-placed black clouser fly.

Catch you later!