| 15 September 2011
The Electrifying first fish of the morning."...If ever I was in the perfect time and place to catch a redfish on the first cast, it had to be here and now.
A fork in the muddy creek created a tidal pool that seemed to always swirl in one direction or the other. I never knew how deep it was – the black water just went down, down, down. A dock, or what was left of it, jutted out from the mangroves on the far side. As far as I could tell it hadn’t been used in several decades.
The water in the pool was boiling like a campfire stew. Shrimp and bait fish were alternately jumping or skipping across the water followed by boils, pops, and slurps. I broke out in a feverish sweat as Chris began a slow cast that seemed to take 3 hours.
His aim was true, but the cast fell short of the old dock pilings. Before he could reel in and try again, the canoe rocked hard and Chris was just about yanked straight over the nose. The sound of reel drag made the many wading birds bid adieu, and we were directed by our red chaperone to the flats at the end of the creek.”
If only every fishing trip could start so idyllic! Since moving to Palm Beach County from Tampa in 1996, I just don’t have the same opportunities to fish for reds. Memories like that day fishing with my friend Chris near Bullfrog Creek are getting older but I can recall details like it was yesterday. Although I am more than able to sate my inshore thirst targeting snook, I miss the mentality of redfish. That’s not to say there are no redfish in Palm Beach County, but the waters of Lake Worth Lagoon aren’t exactly “red ripe”… yet. Luckily, reds abound almost everywhere else in Florida.
A while back I did some research into the regions that had the best redfish habitats in Florida, and spoke to some local captains to gain some insight on general patterns of red drum in their home waters.
North East Florida
Jax backwater has got something most of Florida lacks – massive tides. In some areas, tides can be a foot per hour – even more with a spring tide. Overall tides can be up to 7½ to 8 feet.
Capt. Russell Tharin told me “In general, people don’t come to Duval County to fish. But when they do, their expectations are always surpassed. When you have found the right place at the right time, fishing can be extremely effective.”
Capt. Tharin takes the massive tides into consideration when planning where, when, and how to fish. When the tide is low, he prefers jigs or grubs. During the incoming tide, he tends to hit the surf or work the oyster bars, and uses more top water plugs. 
Redfish can be fooled by a variety of lures and baits.
During high tide, when the Spartina cord grass is flooded, he looks for tailing fish. Especially in this situation, light tackle is the most effective, and he feels that skilled fly anglers might even have the advantage, mostly due to presentation opportunities.
Even though we are discussing the far north east reaches of Florida, the heat can be stifling from spring to fall, so Tharin spend a lot of time working the beaches. The grab bag can be excessive.
Later in the summer, the spawners, or “bull reds” make their appearance. Capt. Tharin keeps an intelligent view of these fish. “These are our seed fish. They are here with a purpose, and it is one that we should focus on enabling, not interrupting.” He understands the reason larger reds are not keepers (any over 28” must be returned in the state of Florida). “The big reds can be easy targets. They are spawning, and hungry. I don’t target them at all any more.
“Many times, they are cruising just off the beach, staying with the bait. Occasionally, we hook 1 or 2 on top water lures in the ocean, and that is very cool. But reviving those big reds can be difficult, especially when anchored. On top of everything else, now they are much easier targets for the sharks.”
East Central Florida
If you have not heard stories of redfish in Mosquito Lagoon, you might as well close this link and take up golfing. And if you have never experienced the fishery, well I don’t know what you are waiting for.
If you release your catch, take your time. Make it worth while.The Central East coast of Florida has more to offer than just the lagoon. An emerging fishery has caught my attention recently in the Indian River. Partly because it is the best flats fishing near my home, and partly because of the friendly, HONEST advice I have always soaked in at ‘The Snook Nook’ bait & tackle store, the river has become my new inside water home.
I have been in bait shops where the advice was about as helpful as a hole saw in a canoe. But the crew from the Snook Nook put me on fish more times than I can remember. Whether it was recommending a fly and location for sea trout, or a new jig for pompano, I have done well by them. Here’s what “Happy Henry” has to say about reds in his neck of the woods.
“In ’85 or ’86, someone caught a redfish in the Sebastian Inlet.” That’s it. That was the whole story. The word ‘bathetic,’ which is a few notches worse that ‘pathetic’ might best describe reds from Sebastian to Jensen Beach 25 years ago. There were no redfish, period. Thanks to gamefish status, slotting and closed seasons, reds have come back strong.
“We don’t have the schools of the lagoon, but you can target reds here now, from about County Line Road (between Martin and St. Lucie) north to Walton Road. Get on the water early, and keep your boat in the middle of the river. Focus your attention towards the west bank. Locate activity, then circle way around front and anchor, and wait.” The spookiness of reds seems to be exaggerated here.
“Guys are having success with either a ½ oz. gold spoon, with a steady retrieve just below the surface, or a shrimp-tipped jig (such as the “Gulfstream Redfish Jig) dragged across the harder bottom of the west bank.” Henry told me that the west side of the river holds more reds than the east side, and he attributes this to the texture of the bottom.
The jig outfit is best fished when tied with a loop knot. “You want your lure to have a little swing, giving it just a little more natural look. And keep in mind, when you bounce it along the bottom, think ½ inch hops, not 4”-6” jumps. Just a small puff as it bumps the bottom is needed to key the reds in.”
Upper Keys/Florida Bay
I have recently come into contact with a South Florida man who will cut to the chase, especially when it comes to putting fish to his boat. “Lately, I don’t spend so much time up on the flats. Over the years fishing the bay to Flamingo, I’ve found that there are much more fish in the creeks, creek mouths, channels, and points and protrusions during certain tides. I want to see people catch fish, period.” Such is the thought process of Capt. Neil Baron.
That is a very welcome attitude for many anglers. “At the base level, I don’t even need to work with a very accurate caster.” Beginners take note. “A lazy fisherman can be a good fisherman. I’ll provide a knocker rig, which includes a 2/0 X-Long shank hook with a sliding sinker. We throw it in the wash, let it sink, and wait for a bit.” Working the many islands is a ‘go to’ plan for him. “When there is a mote, be sure to work both the inside and outside.”
His rigs are negotiable – 12lb mono spooled on a medium sized reel, medium action rods, and 36” of bite leader. Are you getting the picture? Capt. Baron is not about selling products, or endorsing equipment. He is about catchin’.
That’s not to say he doesn’t have preferences. When going after redfish, he also prefers the ‘Berkeley 400’ baits, or live shrimp with a trollrite, using a very slow retrieve. “The longer your bait is in the water, the better your chances of hooking up.”
When he does work up on the flats, he knows the skinny waters just as well. “Down here, we use rubber worms, weedless jigs, and spoons. Depending on tide and time of day, top water redfish action can be active, too.”
When the shrimp get scarce, bent rods are still achievable. “Cut bait can be an excellent option. I can get as fancy as anybody else, but I do have some guidelines. I don’t like treble hooks on my boat. I’ve been doing fine without ‘em, and I feel that they can really put a hurtin’ on the fish you ultimately might release.”
Capt. Neil Baron finds plenty of fish in the channels, keeping his fishing simple yet effective.
Lazy fishermen can be successful, but don’t be confused about Capt. Baron’s work ethics. With a history of X-submarine service, diving on oil fields, and guiding from Miami to Flamingo for over 20 years, he has done his share of work.
“The trip starts when you decide to go fishing. Planning is part of the trip. Safe entrance/exit routes, researching an area, reviewing equipment … the trip isn’t over until everybody is home, safe and satisfied.
“One of the keys to fishing here is flexibility. Fishing patterns change each year. If something isn’t working, you gotta be ready to make a change. The successful fisherman knows where to draw that line.” Capt. Baron had more to say about boating safety. “Always, always, I need to know I can get out fast if the weather goes sour.”
West Central
Mangrove covered shorelines hold plenty of reds in west central Florida.
Tampa Bay is an area that I know fairly well. When it comes to redfish, I have had some seasons when I was really dialed in to the choice locations during my college years. Much has changed since then. Development has defaced some of the back waters I tried to think of as my own, and several habitat restoration projects have turned waters I thought devoid of fish into worthy territories.
According to Capt. Bobby Blizzard, the best approach for reds in the bay area depends on the season. “Winter generally means dark, root beer colored jigs with a slow, easy retrieve. Come spring, pick things up a little bit with something lighter in color, or maybe a gold spoon. I also tend to use lures with a red tail.”
In this area, May is probably your best bet at a shot at some massive fish. “Around Tarpon Key (near Ft. Desoto), that is a time to luck into some real lunkers. Reds over 40” are a real possibility.”
Capt. Blizzard more or less fishes 10lb. Power Pro with a short leader of flouro. Using a double uni-knot to attach lines, he might go heavier or lighter depending on conditions of the day.
Big Bend/Panhandle
Capt. Pat Dineen feels that the panhandle can be split into 3 basic zones for redfish. First, up on the grass flats, some fish are starting to move up with the warming water temps. During the winter, the flats can drop into the 40’s, but they heat up fast. Interestingly enough, Pat says that reds can be found in extremely skinny water year round.
Zone 2 is structure: docks, jetties, and bridges. Here, expect to run into reds of all sizes, from slots to slobs. When using spinning gear, Capt. Dineen is fond of suspending jerk baits. “On spinning gear, we tend to lean towards 8-10 med wt. 7-ft. rods, with 7500/8500 Penn reels. Matching line to rod and reel is usually sufficient – I don’t typically use leaders for reds.”
“Fly gear is also a great way to work these fish. Sight fishing for tailers, cruisers, or fish laid up, an 8-wt rod tossing streamers or shrimp patterns that are neutral buoyancy seem to produce the most consistently.”
Finally, reds are found on the beaches during certain times of the year. Now, there are “singles and doubles” cruising the waters. If you go after these fish, you might need to beef up just a smidge. Pat uses 10-20lb line, doubled at the end via a spider hitch. 3’ of 30lb flouro, with a 1/0 hook and live or dead bait complete the rig. Croakers, spots, or finger mullet are better options this style of red fishing.
Heading out the door
Here’s few closing thoughts when traveling around Florida searching for new redfish territory. First and foremost, if you hire a guide when charting new waters (which I highly recommend), remember that your guide is a professional. A major part of his job description should be to make sure you, the angler, have what you need to enjoy your outing. He can’t make you enjoy yourself; that is up to you. But he or she should definitely facilitate your needs. The experience should go beyond fish in the cooler. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself to get your money’s worth.
Along those lines, your guide is a resource of information with value that can far exceed any fee (plus tip) you might incur. This is main the reason I recommend a guide. You can shave literally months of hit-or-miss fishing with an expert. Don’t expect anyone to read GPS numbers for you to copy, and if you are caught logging coordinates, you will likely find yourself swimming home. But I believe it is fair to ask specific questions about rigging, techniques, seasonal changes, etc… Sometimes a guide will only provide general information, but you won’t be admonished for asking.
I am not a guide, and have no interest in promoting any particular business. But I am all about educating anglers. At some level, this knowledge will reach the depth of species life history, biology, and habitat requirements. As a group, we can better protect and defend our sport to “outsiders,” including politicians, right- or left-wing extremists, or even our spouses once we have some understanding of these worthy topics.
Lastly, keep in mind when it comes to technique and style, the featured local experts are discussing their own preference. Many of these strategies will work across the entire state, but when used properly in the right situation, they will produce at home. If you are into heaving dead bait with giant rigs, or if you strictly fly fish, so be it. It’s all good to me – I’ve done ‘em all, and will continue to do so, depending on my, and the fishes, mood that day. Having an open mind gives you the best chance at a bent rod. So explore the state, keep your head open, and get your redfish.
oh, AND LOG 'EM IN! (atwww.angleraction.org)
South West Florida: Red Skies, Red Fish? Do your part; log your catch.
