big daddy redfish

This week on the Space Coast the weather is throwing us a bit of a curve ball. Luckily, the inshore fishing has been red hot! October is notorious for being a great redfish month and while this holds true, anglers can find a great redfish bite across the entire region. With high water from lots of rain and king tides offshore along with big swells conditions are perfect.

For those looking for lots of action throwing artificial baits pretty much any wind blown shoreline with mullet are holding large numbers of these fish. The higher water has them pushed tight to the trees but it’s also making them less spooky. An 1/8 oz jighead with either a Berkley gulp shrimp or no live bait needed paddle tails in just about any natural color is definitely getting the job done. The bonus snook, trout, or tarpon isn’t uncommon either. For the less experienced or more relaxed fisherman, a small live mullet on a 1/8oz jighead or cut bait of any sort on a 3/0 circle hook is a sure bet when placed tightly up against the shoreline.

This is also breeding season and the larger reds are on the prowl look for groups of larger fish on the deeper edge of shallow flats, around bridge structures, or channel drop offs. These fish can be caught on plastics such as rapala skitter walk topwater plugs early, or larger paddle tails by no live bait needed, but half a blue crab or 6 inch live mullet is pretty much irresistible!

This entire month is a great time to catch redfish, especially larger fish for those who have never caught one, it’s important to use larger tackle in the 5/6k size and a medium heavy to heavy action rod, and very crucial to never hold these large breeder fish vertical, grab them with wet hands, snap a quick picture and get them on their way. The bite should remain good from now thru the end of the month especially with the larger influences, don’t let the wind get ya down, hit the flats and enjoy some epic redfishing!