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Flood Tide Redfish – Women’s Fly Fishing Tournament in Charleston SC

  • captconner
  • Sep 16
  • 3 min read

Updated: Sep 18

Standing on casting platform on the bow of hell bay guide. looking for tailing charleston red fish.
Anna looking for the next tailing red fish in the grass
This past weekend was the third annual Marsh Wear Lady Rendezvous, a women’s fly fishing tournament in Charleston SC. I had the pleasure of fishing it with my best friend and wife, Anna. This was our second year in the tournament, and unlike last year, we were able to put redfish on the board. A big difference was that I wasn’t sick with COVID this time.

About the Lady Rendezvous Tournament

The Lady Rendezvous is a women’s saltwater fly fishing tournament hosted each year in Charleston, South Carolina. Guides can be male, but only women are allowed to fish. All redfish must be caught and released, with measurements taken on an official board provided at the captains’ meeting. The top three fish from two days determine the winners.
This year, Capt. Chris Wilson and angler Amy Bennett took first place with an impressive 93.5-inch total.
First red fish in the boat on fly! She was using a Focus Fly pattern black and purple slider. She was throwing a Orvis Helios rod paired with a Shilton reel.
First flood tide red fish on the boat! This fish ate a Focus Fly deer hair slider.

Our Goal: A Flood Tide Redfish for Anna

For Anna, the goal wasn’t about winning the Charleston tournament. She had never landed a redfish on a flood tide. Our mission was to change that. Conditions were windy with higher tides than normal, but luckily the fish were active.



Second fish and her PB. This fish ate a grass shrimp pattern and measure 25inches on the dot.
Second and PB red fish, this one ate a custom grass shrimp pattern.

Day One: Success on the Flats

On day one, we launched a couple of hours before high tide and worked along a tree line out of the wind. As the water pushed into the grass, we spotted a tailing redfish on an open sand flat.
Anna delivered a 30 foot cast at the boat’s 10 o’clock. The fly landed two feet in front of the fish, right where it needed to be. One short strip and the redfish charged. She strip set hard, and the fight was on.
We followed the fish into the grass, bumping others along the way, but she stayed tight. Anna landed a 22inch redfish, her first on a flood tide. After a quick photo and measurement, we released it healthy.
Later that day, we saw another redfish pushing through the grass. Anna cast again, and the fish crushed the fly. This one was bigger and more aggressive. It slapped its tail, made long runs, and refused to quit. She landed it after a great fight, a 25inch redfish, her first over slot.
Day one of the tournament was unforgettable.
Charleston red fish caught on fly while fishing marsh wear tournament.
Love these clear water red fish

Day Two: Wind and Challenges

Day two brought steady 25knot winds with gusts near 30. We gambled on the same area as day one, but the bite never came together. Anna hooked one fish under the boat, but the hook pulled.
Despite the tough weather, the weekend was a success. Anna landed her first flood tide redfish and her first over-slot red in Charleston waters.
Fighting a red fish on the bow of my hells bay guide in Charleston SC.
That fish didn't want to give up easy


Charleston Women’s Fly Fishing Community

The Marsh Wear Lady Rendezvous highlights the growing women’s fly fishing community in Charleston and the Lowcountry. Flood tide fishing for redfish is one of the most rewarding experiences in our waters, and this tournament brings together anglers who share a passion for the sport.
Anna and I are already looking forward to fishing the Lady Rendezvous again next year.





For more info on next years event, click the link below!


A Charleston red fish caught on fly while fishing a flood tide, sight fishing.
All smiles, and a well deserved grip and grin.

 
 
 

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