Looking for shad in all the wrong places

[Lightweight 8]

I'm headed to the bay area in April to do some fly fishing. During the frigid cold winter here in the desert I occupied my time with fly tying. Lefty's deceivers, Clauser Minnows, Surf Candy and Cornwall's Simple Shad. Is there another fly I should add to my repertoire in order to be effective while wading the shallows of West End? What works best for Redfish and speckled trout? I am sooooo looking forward to fishing in the bay area, I'm tired of ice freezing up in my eyelets making it difficult to cast and numb legs and feet from standing in near freezing water in search of a fish that may go 2-3 lbs.
I appreciate any and all input, recommended hook size, colors, etc.
thanks,
Lightweight8

[JT]

Didn't Johnny Lee sing that song in Urban Cowboy?

[Milkjug]

look up the gummy minnow.

[Curmudgeon]

I still haven't tried fly fishing yet, but I've heard that spoon flys are very productive.


Curmudgeon only pawn in game of life.

[Lightweight 8]

Spoon flies?

Looks like I'll have to buy some silver (or gold) mylar tubing for making spoon flies; unless a local fly shop has a popular rendition of that.
Another question for the old mud squishers, is an eight weight fly rod 'hefty' enough to pull in a renegade red?