On May the 2nd I took Mike O'Malley fishing for redfish here in Wilmington. We started the morning by getting Mike tuned up on the double haul technique with his fly rod and we were dedicated at making a go of it as a "fly only" approach. I have to say I was impressed with Mike's ability to accomplish so much in such a short period of time that morning. What he accomplished was the ability to start with his fly in the ready position and fire a 45-50' cast in about six seconds to the target.
By 11 am we had started working a school of redfish in a shallow bay and slowly the wind went from about 10 kts to around 20 kts by around 3 pm. Mike was dedicated and after a couple of close encounters with the school and several opportunities on the fly I asked him if he would mind throwing the topwater plug I had on my spinning rod.
With the wind steadily increasing and the tide falling he said he would give it a try. In about seven minutes I had him "walking the dog" with a MirrOlure Top Dog Jr. in color 808. With the last hour of fishing to go he landed a 17" flounder and a 5 lb. red drum on the top water plug in about five casts.
It just goes without saying that if you are going to be fishing the coast anywhere with a fly rod you will be more successful if you have a good side arm cast and well defined double haul. Also when your guide offers some friendly advice or tips that reach outside of your comfort level follow Mike's lead and try something new, it just might hook you on something great. Thanks Mike for trusting me to put you on that topwater bite, we'll get them on fly with better conditions next time!

Good Luck & Good Fishing