Welcome back to Guide Talk! Today, we’re chatting with Kyle Gray, a dedicated fly fishing guide based in Florida, known for his expertise in chasing Bull Reds. Kyle’s journey into fly fishing is as fascinating as his tips for landing those elusive giants. Let’s dive into his story and get some insider knowledge on finding Bull Reds in Florida!

3 Tips for Finding Bull Reds in Florida

Study Your Fishery: Learn the tides in your area, what types of bait the fish are feeding on and when, what weather conditions affect the fish and their behavior or patterns, and pay attention to things like water temp and water clarity. Every fishery is different, and it’s our job as fishermen to peel back the layers and figure out what makes the ecosystem tick. A lot of this is done off the water—watching YouTube videos, listening to podcasts, reading books, etc.
Fish New Areas: Often, I’ll avoid the ABC spots that most guides or weekend warriors frequent. While I know the fish are typically there, sometimes it’s more advantageous to try something new. You may see fewer fish, but perhaps they are less pressured. One of the most rewarding things as a guide or angler is discovering a new spot on your own. You never know what’s around the corner at that flat you’ve never been to or maybe haven’t fished in a long time.
Log Your Fishing—The Good and The Bad: Make a routine out of logging your days on the water, whether it’s a successful day or not. Record what the conditions were that day—the wind, moon, tides, visibility, water clarity—and, of course, how the fishing was. If you did well, write down where and what flies you were using. Do the same if you didn’t do well too. Eventually, you’ll recognize patterns in your successes and failures.

Getting to Know Kyle Gray

How did you first get into fly fishing? Was there a specific moment or influence that sparked your passion?

I was initially drawn to fly fishing by my father, who gifted me some old equipment that belonged to my grandfather. I still have one of the rods today, an old Abu Garcia 8' 5-6wt that I used to catch bream and bass out of the ponds in my neighborhood. There were multiple influences that drew me in, but specifically my father, who was always hyping me up, telling me how I would love fly fishing and how it was such a unique sport and rewarding pastime.

Where are you originally from, and what do you consider your "home water"? How has this shaped your approach to guiding?

I’m originally from Destin, Florida—a once small fishing village in the northwest part of the state that has now grown into a bustling tourist destination. While I guide in several areas along the Panhandle, I consider my home water to be Choctawhatchee Bay here in Destin. I now live in Freeport, essentially the northeastern part of the bay. I’m directly on the water and guide out of a boat ramp that’s five minutes from my house, which has made efficiency and time on the water much more advantageous.

What led you to become a fly fishing guide? Was there a defining experience or person who inspired you to take this path?

I worked at Orvis in San Destin for a handful of years before I started guiding. Looking back, I think I was initially there to learn as much as possible and to utilize the discount to afford new gear—anything to dive deeper down the rabbit hole of saltwater fly fishing. I met a lot of interesting people in that store over time. A few of the customers were guides themselves or introduced me to other guides. Two of those individuals were David Mangum, the owner of Shallow Water Expeditions, and Jack Foley, a longtime friend who has been guiding with SWE for a number of years at this point. As time went on and I grew as a fisherman, I frequently expressed my interest in guiding for SWE. David eventually told me, "Get your captain’s license and a skiff, then come talk to me." I did exactly that a year or so later. I was gifted the opportunity to start guiding full-time, and I’ve now been with SWE for three years. While I have many inspirations that led me to where I’m at, my fellow guides I work with are who I credit the most.

Florida is famous for its Bull Reds. What makes targeting these fish so special for you, and how does it differ from other species?

Our fishery here in Choctawhatchee Bay is very unique compared to other areas in Florida. Redfish are our primary inshore target, and they tend to be Bulls, often in the 30" plus range, up to 40" or more sometimes. The water here is often gin clear, with heavy to moderate boat traffic. This causes the flats/sight fishing to be extremely technical most of the time. You have to feed these fish. They’re not going to just slam any fly you throw out there. Light leader with a very particular fly, placement, and retrieve—all while exuding extreme stealth with every movement. This bay can be extremely rewarding or grind you out. The phrase "feast or famine" is often thrown around amongst guides and clients. We do get our share of magic moments with schools of fish under birds, etc., but the challenge, I believe, is something that makes you a better fisherman. There are other species such as speckled trout, black drum, jack crevalle, but the Bull Redfish are our staple for inshore fishing. Not only can you target them year-round, but as a fish, they just have the whole package for a guide or angler.

Can you share a memorable experience from guiding a client to their first or biggest Bull Red? What made it stand out?

A memorable moment that stands out would probably be the first trip I caught a client a Bull Redfish. I still remember everything about that trip—who the client was and where we caught the fish. We pulled up on a school of a few hundred fish. His first shot was short by a few feet, but the second shot was good, and the rest was history. We were both pretty ecstatic. I believe it was his first Redfish ever, so that made it a great day.

What challenges do anglers typically face when targeting Bull Reds in Florida, and how do you help them overcome these?

The number one challenge for anglers is their casting. Our fish are very demanding with how the fly is presented and retrieved. The majority of anglers, including return clients, don’t practice their casting when off the water. A lot of them don’t pick up a fly rod until they see their guide a year later. The clients who do practice casting—it shows every time. I highly recommend practicing consistently, especially if you have a trip booked with a guide for a short period of time. Sometimes a six-hour trip—two hours of that is casting lessons and knocking the dust off. I combat this in the moment by working closely with the angler, at first demonstrating the proper ready position, how to cast effectively, and how to retrieve the fly. Every client is different, but a good guide adapts to the situation at hand.

How do you balance the demands of guiding with your personal love for fly fishing? Do you get time to pursue your own fishing passions?

I truly never feel like I’m missing out being on the poling platform. I’ve always felt as if I’m fishing through my clients. It’s a team deal—guide and angler. While I do enjoy sticking fish like any guide, I see it more as a challenge and often more rewarding helping others. I get a good bit of time to fish myself in the off-season, but truly the most memorable days have been when other people are on the bow.

What’s the most rewarding part of being a fly fishing guide in Florida? Any standout moments in your career that you’ll never forget?

The most rewarding part, I would have to say, is the lifestyle. Being on the water 100-plus days a year, you see some pretty fascinating stuff. Obviously, the fishing stands out, but there’s something to be said about those early mornings when you’re motoring to the flat through the sunrise. The cool air, the birds, the weather, the people you meet along the way—really just all the in-between stuff that nobody talks about. There’s definitely a freeing feeling, especially if you’ve ever worked in an office. Some of the best days on the water, you may not even catch any fish. It’s the finer details that really stick with you, I believe. The fish are just an added bonus.

Looking ahead, what are your future goals as a guide? Are there new adventures or projects in the works that you’re excited about?

My future goals at the moment are just to become the most efficient guide I can be. I’m growing and improving every year, and that’s something I never want to slack off on. I still have a lot to learn, and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead. While I do love Redfish, I have a very serious passion and addiction to tarpon fishing, which I guide clients for as well during the months of May through August. All in all, I have a lot of respect and passion for the sport of saltwater fly fishing, and just want to see how deep I can dive into it and where my career takes me.

We hope you enjoyed getting to know Kyle Gray and his tips for finding Bull Reds. For more stories and insights from top fly fishing guides worldwide, be sure to check out our Guide Talk page. Tight lines!