Redfish fishing in The First Coast

In The First Coast, redfish are on year-round, spawning in August–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Clear-water winter schools in the creeks at low tide — some of the best sight fishing in the state.

1. JanuaryPeakClear-water winter schools in the creeks at low tide — some of the best sight fishing in the state.
2. FebruaryPeakSheepshead spawn on the jetties and reefs; drum on the bridges. The biggest sheepshead of the year on the jetty rocks and nearshore reefs; black drum on the river bridges with crab.
3. MarchPeakThe kings start; trout and reds spread through the marsh. Last of the sheepshead; the spring kingfish run starts late month on the nearshore reefs; trout and reds move out onto the marsh edges.
4. AprilPeakThe spring king run peaks; trout on the grass; reds in the creeks. Kings on the nearshore reefs and off the jetties; cobia on the buoys; trout on the flooded grass at high water; whiting in the surf.
5. MayPeakKings, cobia and tarpon off the jetties; reds and trout in the marsh. Big kings and cobia on the reefs and the Mayport jetties; the first tarpon at the river mouth; reds and trout on the creek mouths on the outgoing.
6. JunePeakReds up in the flooded spartina on the top of the tide.
7. JulyPeakSummer: jetty tarpon and bull reds, marsh reds on the high water. Tarpon and bull reds at the jetties on live pogies; marsh reds in the grass on the flood; trout early on the ICW points.
8. AugustSpawningBulls stacking in the St. Johns and off the Mayport jetties.
9. SeptemberSpawningBull red spawn at the river mouth and the jetties — the best bull redfish of the year.
10. OctoberSpawningSpawning bulls at the jetties; slot fish in every creek on the falling tide.
11. NovemberPeakFlounder run peaks; trout in the creeks; sheepshead return to the pilings. Flounder on the outgoing at the inlets and creek mouths; trout stacked in the deeper creek bends; sheepshead back on the docks and jetties.
12. DecemberPeakWinter pattern: sheepshead, clear-water reds, deep trout. Jetties and docks for sheepshead; low-water creek reds on sunny days; trout in the deep river and ICW bends.

Spartina marsh, oyster-lined creeks and the Intracoastal from Ponce Inlet to the Georgia line, the St. Johns River and the Mayport jetties, St. Augustine and Matanzas inlets, and the beaches. More like Georgia's lowcountry than the rest of Florida.

Fish Scouter charts 351 dock / pilings, 233 grass flat, 79 mangrove shoreline, 51 bridge, 5 pass / inlet spots in the The First Coast map area — the kinds redfish hold on.

• Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
• PinfishHooked through the back ahead of the dorsal on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook; the small ones free-lined, the big ones on a fish-finder rig.
• Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
• Blue crabsWhole and small for permit and tarpon; halved or quartered on the bottom for black drum, redfish and cobia.
• CroakersHooked through the back on a 2/0 to 3/0 circle hook, free-lined or on a Carolina rig — big trout and redfish can't leave them alone.

• Leader20–30 lb fluorocarbon
• Hook1/0–3/0
• Jig head1/8–3/8 oz
• Braid10–20 lb

Feeds in 58–90°F water, best at 65–82°F.

All about redfish · The First Coast, the whole year