The story of the Big Bend redfish starts on the quiet coastline south of Tallahassee between St. Marks and Keaton Beach, Fla. This area of Florida’s coast is mostly located inside the Big Bend Aquatic Preserve, and the northern end is inside the boundaries of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. This amounts to a large bit of protected coastline that is loaded with opportunity. There is no other place in the state better suited for catching redfish than the Big Bend.
The Big Bend region provides public access roughly every 7 miles of coastline, leaving plenty of space for anglers to pursue redfish with limited interruption from boat traffic. Add a countless number of rock outcroppings and oyster bars, and only those with local knowledge wander deep into redfish country. Navigation in the Big Bend outside the well-marked channels has its perils. It is best to gather years of hard-knock experience or hire a guide for a trip deep into rock-protected shorelines.
Redfish in the Big Bend are aggressive and will eat most artificial lures thrown in their direction. The top baits for the area are Aqua Dream Living Gold Spoons, Gulp jerk shads and a various collection of topwater lures, with Heddon One Knockers topping the list. The Big Bend redfish cannot resist the sounds of a topwater lure worked slowly across a calm summer flat. There is nothing more exciting than the explosion of a hungry redfish on a topwater plug.
Redfish in the Big Bend average mid to upper slot, with most fish averaging 25 to 29 inches. This is not puppy redfish territory; rather look for roaming schools of giants. Every summer, marauding schools of 20-plus-pound fish roll onto the shallows to gorge on pinfish. Any quiet summer morning could produce big wakes and schools of bulls as long as 45 inches. Keep an eye on the horizon and be prepared to move toward the madness. It will not matter what you throw to the big reds, when they are in competition mode and will eat anything!
If the schools do not show, hit the shoreline and work the countless oyster points and rock piles. This is a trolling-motor necessary adventure. Remember, there are submerged rocks everywhere. The secret is that redfish love rocks. Go slow, be safe and make long casts. Keep drags loose and enjoy.
If you are looking for your redfish fix, or maybe this particular species is still on your need-to-catch list, look no further than the Big Bend. The Big Bend is truly old Florida, with a slow pace and low crowds. No reservations are required, and there are plenty of local places to grab a bite. Make sure you stop by your local tackle shop and get the latest fishing reports.
Capt. Mike McNamara, co-publisher of the Big Bend edition of Coastal Angler Magazine, guides at St. Marks Outfitters in Wakulla, Fla. Call or text (850) 510-7919 or e-mail redfish@stmarksoutfitters.com.
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