Florida’s fall season is a paradise for redfish anglers, with cooling water temperatures triggering aggressive feeding behavior in these iconic fish. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this guide will give you the edge you need to land more redfish in Florida’s inshore waters.
Understanding Redfish Behavior
- Adult redfish gather around passes, bays, and nearshore reefs for offshore spawning, while juveniles form feeding groups.
- Redfish often school with mullet, which provide protection from predators.
Effective Techniques
- Tide Fishing: Work incoming tides, especially around western-facing points.
- Mullet Indicators: Observe mullet behavior to locate redfish. If mullet are close to shore, redfish are likely nearby.
- Potholes and Sandbars: Fish these areas during low tide, when water is clearer and fish are more concentrated.
Recommended Baits and Lures
- Live shrimp
- Gold spoons
- Pinfish
- Topwater lures
- Soft-body swimbaits
- Paddletail jigs
- Popping cork rigs with artificial shrimp
Stealthy Approach
- Fish slowly and deliberately to avoid spooking redfish.
- Use a measured approach, fishing your way into the main area.
Best Locations
- Oyster bars
- Grass flats
- Mangrove shorelines
- Passes
- Sarasota Bay
- Tampa Bay
- Gasparilla Sound
Tips from Captains
- Capt. William Toney recommends using gold spoons and live shrimp.
- Capt. Billy Miller suggests paying attention to mullet behavior and fishing tides.
- Capt. Rick Grassett prefers using DOA CAL jigs and sight fishing over sand.
Get Out There and Catch More Redfish!
Ready to put these tactics to the test? Grab your gear, head to the water, and start reeling in those redfish! For more tips, guides, and expert advice, check out our fishing resources and plan your next fishing trip today!
Image/Source: floridasportsman
