Here, in Northwest Florida, we have the opportunity to target Redfish all year and a kayak is the perfect platform!
If you are having a tough time locating Redfish in the Panhandle, try applying the following tips and techniques.
I’m sure they will increase your chances of catching the fish of a lifetime.
Kayak
There are a large number of well-made kayaks on the market today.
After fishing from multiple paddle and pedal kayaks, my kayak of choice is the Old Town Predator PDL.
The PDL is stable, quiet, and provides a dry ride throughout the year. Staying dry is very important during the winter months and we recommend you check out our blog/video “Waders For Kayak Fishing.“
The pedal system has reverse and the ability to come to a quiet, hands-free stop makes a huge difference when approaching feeding fish.
Gear / Tackle
When targeting Redfish, the majority of anglers prefer to use spinning equipment.
A seven-foot medium action rod paired with a 2500 size-spinning reel is perfect for targeting slot Redfish.
The reel should be spooled with 10-20 pound braid and a five-foot section of fifteen-pound fluorocarbon should be attached to the main line using an
Albright or FG knot.
When attaching a lure to the fluorocarbon, I prefer to use a non-slip mono loop knot; the loop knot allows the lure to move as freely as possible.
Lures
If new too fishing for Redfish, lure selection can be overwhelming.
You can ease the pain by visiting your local tackle shop and ask a few questions.
If in Navarre, stop by Broxson Outdoors or Half Hitch. Both stores carry a wide selection of tackle and will point you in the right direction.
When we target slot Redfish, we prefer carry three rods.
The rod that see’s the most action will be rigged with a 1/4 ounce Golden Eye Jig Head and a Matrix Shad.
The second rod will be rigged with a suspending lure, such as an Rapala X-Rap 08.
The third rod will be rigged with a top water lure, such as a Jackall Bonnie 95.
Background
Red Drum are commonly referred to as Redfish and the species thrives throughout the Gulf of Mexico.
Redfish are a highly sought after sports fish and attract anglers from all over the world.
Slot Redfish are typically found in shallow water estuaries, while in the estuaries the fish feed mainly on crustaceans.
Once sexually mature, Redfish leave the estuaries to spawn.
A female will produce anywhere between 200,000 and three million eggs per spawning cycle.
Safely releasing breeding stock is vital to the rebounding populations, so please handle fish responsibly.
Seasons
As the weather changes fish behave in different ways.
It’s important to take in the time of year when Kayak Fishing for Redfish.
Summer
During the summer months, we prefer to target Redfish in the Santa Rosa Sound.
On the north side of the Sound, there are several boat ramps.
These ramps allow easy access to endless miles of grass flats.
Woodlawn Beach Boat Ramp, Oriole Beach Boat Ramp, and Shoreline Park Boat Ramp are three of the most common.
Come summer, Redfish are most active early in the morning as they feed on small crabs, shrimp, and minnows.
At first light, these Redfish can easily be spotted on shallow flats, tailing or pushing water.
In these situations, a subtle presentation is key.
We have found using a weightless lure; such as Zoom Fluke, to be most effective.
When fishing a weightless lure, remember slower is always better.
The Fluke will flutter through the water column and become an irresistible snack for any nearby Redfish.
Fall
As the water temperature cools the fish will stay on the flats throughout the day.
That makes sight fishing phenomenal from September to November.
We like to slowly pole along, scanning the grass and potholes for any signs of life.
A quality pair of polarized sunglasses is essential when searching for Redfish on shallow, crystal clear flats.
Once a Redfish is spotted, quietly pitch a soft plastic towards the fish, ensuring the lure doesn’t land to close and spook the fish.
Redfish will often pick the lure up as it lies on the bottom.
Winter
From December to February, we prefer to target Redfish in the afternoon.
Around midday the fish will begin moving from deep channels to adjacent shallow flats.
This time of the year, we spend the majority of my time in the upper bays, fishing areas with small feeder creeks.
The top water bite is not as effective this time of year, so we prefer to use a Matrix Shad with a 1/8th to 5-16th jig head.
A slow “twitch, twitch, pause” is not always required when targeting these Redfish.
Aggressive Redfish are willing to chase bait in the coldest of weather. Occasionally, we will find Redfish cruising these shallow flats and opt to throw a suspending lure.
Spring
March brings unpredictable weather and unreliable fish.
Fortunately, bait will begin moving back on to the grass flats and the Redfish will follow.
As spring progresses, Redfish will become more and more aggressive, making them vulnerable to anglers throughout the Panhandle.
By April, the flats will be teaming with bait and the Redfish will be feeding heavily on small minnows.
Conclusion
Chasing Redfish can prove to be challenging. We hope these tips provide a little insight and help you catch more fish!
Are you interested in booking a Kayak Fishing Adventures?
If so, this article will help you understand exactly what you’re getting into!
What to expect…
During the summer, the kayaks are in the water before the sun crest the horizon and there’s not a soul in sight.
Dark, calm, silent, and peaceful start to paint a picture that is hard to imagine and impossible to forget.
As the sun peaks over the horizon, baitfish begin skipping across the surface and the flat comes to life.
Spring, Summer, and Fall provide the perfect opportunity to throw topwater lures for Speckled Trout and Redfish.
Calm mornings provide the perfect environment for throwing topwater lures and the first explosion is sure to increase your heart rate.
As the lure walks across the waters surface, bait scatters, the lure disappears, and the drag begins to sing.
As the drag ceases, the head shakes begin.
A solid fish will make several runs before tiring and sliding into the net.
The trips are scheduled for four hours but often run a little longer.
Our goal is to ensure the best possible experience and we don’t mind putting in the extra time!
After returning to the ramp, we clean and bag the fish so you can enjoy the results of a hard day of fishing.
Inshore Trips
We run Inshore Kayak Fishing Charters year round in Northwest Florida and target a variety of species throughout the year.
In the Spring (March – May) we focus our efforts on chasing Bull Redfish in shallow water.
Sight fishing these 30″-35″ fish is an incredible experience and is guaranteed to excite.
During the Summer (June – September) we start off chasing Speckled Trout using topwater lures and than transition into sight fishing for slot Redfish using soft plastic lures.
During theFall (October – November) focus on completing an Inshore Slam.
Speckled Trout, Redfish, and Flounder are the three species we focus on during these months and we catch them in a variety of ways.
In the Winter (December – February) we switch gears completely.
The cold weather provides us with opportunities to chase giant Speckled Trout and Striped Bass.
It’s cold; but if you’re willing to fish, we know where to find them.
Anglers have the opportunity to target a variety of species, to include, Red Snapper, Triggerfish, Mahi-Mahi, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, and Sailfish.
Offshore trips are easily affected by the weather and safety is our first concern.
Kayaks – Old Town Predator PDL’s
We run all of our Kayak Fishing Adventures using Old Town Predator PDL’s.
We use the Old Town’s because they are reliable, stable, and easy to pedal.
They allowed us to put well over one hundred anglers on quality fish in the last six months, with ages ranging from 13-85!
Kayak Fishing Adventures
Every part of kayak fishing is an adventure!
Gives us a call at (850)264-3957 and Book Your Adventure.
Cold front after cold front has pounded the South Eastern United States over the last two months but it hasn’t slowed the fishing down in Northwest Florida. Speckled Trout, Hybrid Bass, and Redfish have been abundant throughout the upper bays and river systems. The winter patterns are in full swing and the Trout fishing is at it’s best. Continue reading “Kayak Fishing in February” and let us help you catch more fish.
The water temperatures are in the 40’s and the Speckled Trout are highly concentrated. The fish are in predictable areas and have been feeding rather aggressively. Correctly mimicking the forage species will go a long ways towards ensuring a successful outing. A MirroLure MR17 is one of the best winter time Trout baits and always get the job done. If you’re having trouble catching fish, continue moving until you find bait. Once you find the bait, slow down and thoroughly fish the area. If you catch a fish, cast right back to where you hooked the first fish. The fish are often stacked on top of each other and the perfect cast makes a huge difference. Make sure you are presenting the lure with the current!
Large Trout are more likely to eat baits with a larger profile and we like to target them using large swim baits like the Jackall Rhythm Wave.
Redfish
During the winter months, Redfish are abundant in every body of water. The Santa Rosa Sound is crystal clear the coldest parts of the year. Sight fishing them can be a bit challenging this time of the year but is an absolute blast! The clear water makes locating the fish easy, unfortunately it also makes them skittish. Targeting them in the upper bays is often the easiest route. The water is warmer and the Redfish are usually mixed into schools of Mullet. They are still feeding heavily on crustaceans and a well placed soft plastic will get the job done.
Hybrid Bass
The coldest months of the year provide the best opportunity to chase Hybrid Bass in Northwest Florida. Hybrid Bass make their way down the Escambia, Blackwater, and Yellow River as the water temperatures decline. Hybrid Bass have fairly small mouths and actively chase small minnows. Crankbaits, white bucktail jigs, and silver spoons are commonly used to chase these fish throughout the river systems.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead is a species you don’t hear much about until it’s cold out. They love structure and can be found around the majority of bridges in the Northwest Florida. Shrimp, Fiddler Crabs, and Oysters are three of their favorite meals. Anglers target them using small circle or j-hooks, light fluorocarbon line, and sensitive rods. Sheepshead have fish just like humans “bite” their food before running. The bite is often challenging to feel and you will miss a few before you get the hang of it. The limit on Sheepshead is generous. Each angler can possess 15 fish at a minimum of 12″. Additional information is found here – http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/sheepshead/
Conclusion
Staying warm is the most important aspect of fishing this time of year. The temperatures will remain low throughout the month, do not be afraid to fish during the middle of the day. Unlike the months prior, the best times to fish in February are often during the warmest parts of the day. I prefer to fish in the evening whenever possible!
The sun will warm the flats in the evenings and the fish will find the warmest water. If you find a school of quality fish and they refuse to eat, don’t feel bad. They are just trying to stay warm and are awesome watch. Set the fishing pole down and enjoy the view. There’s more to fishing than catching and this is the best time of the year to take it all in!
