Suggestions for the Surf ??

[psalty]

Ahoy friends
I am an aspiring fly-fisher. I have fished for a long time in the surf along the Gulf of Mexico from Sargent to Galveston for the reds, specks and sharks.
I have also yakked out for the long-liners but have never experienced skinny roddin' the surf. I'm sure that there are several out there that could shed some light on this here rookie.
I am working on putting together an 8wt combo (Pflueger medalist and White river rod).
Any help, and maybe recommendations on flies. I have purchased a few crab types and shrimp variations.
Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving to all & especially the troops ,
Ken

[bones]

Gearing up for flyfishing can be overwhelming, particulaly if you use store-bought stuff.......(how many flies will $10 buy me?). I did that only to discover being limited as to what I could throw at the fish. I then purchased all the equipment needed enabling me to tie my own flies. Most flies require only a few minutes to tie, it takes <10 cents to tie one, so while I'm at it I'll tie varying combinations of colors of the same fly thus increasing my chances of having the right color for finicky fish. Tie up a bunch of Clowsers and deceivers. I recommend surfing this Forum for the details.........found in the fly tying forum and the links found on the Homepage. The Reel-Time Forum is an all inclusive source of information on the art of flyfishing. The Reel-Timers are really a great source also, they are great guys, so don't be afraid to ask questions. The New England Reel-Timers use pretty much the same flies as we do down here, only much bigger! (Their Deceivers are 4-6inches long as opposed to our 1.5-2 inches) Additionally, the techniques and tactics they use up there are no different than what we use down here.

I have been active in the New England Forum because I fished up there once. I stay in touch as much as I can and have developed comradery with some of them....after all..we are all Fishermen! I am lightyears ahead in my flyfishing expertise because they have been so helpful. Also a great source of info on boats, yaks, and every thing else about fishin' except how to pay for it. Yeah, there are other forums geared for Texas fishing but I have found them to be non-informative or simply bully-pulpits for the varying klans of rednecks.

Keep in touch. You ever get down to Port O'Connor? Where is Kingwood, anyway? Houston area?

[psalty]

Yo Bones. thanks for the response.Kingwood is located just north of Humble on I-59 N. We were annexed by Houston a few years ago but we still claim Kingwood. I have been checking out some of the fly-tying webs and even got a couple of books off e-bay at a great price.
With this weather it's going to be tuff but still going to look at it after Thanksgiving.

[wittich]

I have flyfished in galveston a few times. It can be really good if you plan it right. In the summer when a you get a moving tide and clear water you will have lots of chances at mackeral, spanish and ladyfish.Right now the flounder run should be in full swing and I have caught a couple on clousers on a sinking line.

[psalty]

Thanks Wittich. I can count the times I've been to fish Gaveston with clear water on one hand. Mostly due to my workload. Most of the time it's sandy-green and we catch bulls and sharks on the big rods, and whiting ,sand trout and croaker in the 1st & 2nd guts. But the use of flies may change that. Kinda looking for a new experience. Tight lines !!