Redfish


Redfish Fishing in Apalachicola, Florida


Redfish are one of the top inshore game fish in Apalachicola, thriving in the area’s grass flats, marshes, and creeks. These hard-fighting drum offer year-round opportunities and are especially active around oyster bars and tidal creeks. Both slot-size and over-slot bull reds can be caught close to shore.


Where to Catch Redfish


Redfish are commonly found in:

Shallow grass flats and oyster bars

Creek mouths and tidal marshes

Docks, seawalls, and mangrove edges

They feed heavily on crabs, shrimp, and baitfish


Best Time to Fish for Redfish


Season Redfish Activity
Spring Great time — fish return to shallow feeding zones
Summer Excellent early and late in the day
Fall Peak time — bull reds gather and feed aggressively
Winter Slower, but fish stay in deeper channels

Peak Season: September through November


Tackle & Tips


Lures: Gold spoons, soft plastics, and weedless jerkbaits

Bait: Live shrimp, finger mullet, or cut bait

Leaders: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon

Technique: Fish shallow during high tides and target deeper troughs on outgoing water