Top 10 Redfish Fishing Destinations in the South

Redfish may very well be the most utilitarian of inshore/coastal species. Big appetites, generally cooperative for stealthy anglers and built for brutal fights, these sturdy fish are widely dispersed throughout the Gulf and Atlantic. The best place to catch reds is where you find them, but a roundup of consistent producers, well worth a visit, will guide your quest.

PORT ARANSAS, TEXAS

A multi-faceted fishery with options befitting homebodies and throttle champs alike, Port-A’s flanked by Aransas Bay to the north and Corpus Christi Bay to the south, with Aransas Pass offering jetty action and immediate Gulf access for those jumbo bull reds. For tournament-grade “high slot” fish (28-inch max), this area offers an ideal blend of shallow marsh edges, mangroves, oyster bars and manmade structures that benefit redfish feeding. One of the most appealing elements of the Port-A experience is access to the vibrant Laguna Madre, which offers numerous spoils islands, along with broad, shallow flats that’ll remind you of South Florida. Shielded by Padre Island, the hyper-saline lagoon brims with crustacean and baitfish forage, so reds grow fat and numerous. Tidal fluctuation is usually minimal, so any movement spurs the chewin’.

VENICE, LOUISIANA

No slight to any other southern angling destination, but in terms of sheer habitat vastness and astounding numbers of redfish, it’s hard to top this southernmost Mississippi River port. Anglers launching from Venice Marina, Cypress Cove or one of the area’s smaller ramps can take their pick of lengthy Roseau cane lines, marsh backwaters, narrow canals, natural bayous and the many enclosed duck ponds. From the shimmering burnt orange “marsh pumpkins” that spend their juvenile years within the Mississippi Delta marshes to the hulking adult “bull reds” that live out their adult years around barrier islands and outer bays, the region collectively called “Venice” offers the closest thing to a can’t-miss you’ll ever find. Add to that natural habitat overload the manmade redfish attractors, from the redfish-famous Southwest Pass jetties to the forest of nearshore drilling rigs, and this area truly offers something for every redfish preference.

DELACROIX, LOUISIANA

Sitting at the Mississippi Delta's northeast corner, southeast of New Orleans, this remote town earns the nickname “The End of the World.” Venice sits much farther south, but nearby towns of Boothville, Triumph and Buras are just a short run up Highway 23. Delacroix, on the other hand, sits pleasantly detached at the end of State Route 300. Often referenced in conjunction with neighboring Hopedale (take Florissant Hwy. northeast off 300, follow it south to cross the Yscloskey Bridge to Hopedale Hwy.), these fishing-dominated towns stand amid a labyrinth of canals, ponds and saltwater lakes bristling with redfish ambiance. To the north, past the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Canal, the fertile Biloxi Marsh expands the habitat options, while overnight trips to the Chandeleur Islands offer a coastal getaway vibe.

HOUMA, LOUISIANA

Southeastern Louisiana’s Delta region rightfully earns the state’s top billing, but look west to the heart of Cajun Country and the largest city in Terrebonne Parish provides a solid launch point for seemingly boundless redfish missions. Whether you fish locally or trailer down to popular areas like Theriot, Dulac or Cocodrie, the Houma area’s sprawling habitat blends purely freshwater bayous and lakes, with brackish marsh and coastal saltwater habitat. This offers redfish year-round options for filling their bellies during the warmer months and dodging the blustery chill during the winter period. From seemingly endless spartina grass banks to deeper canals and those inner lakes and ponds, there’s plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the Southern Louisiana solitude.

APALACHICOLA BAY, FLORIDA

The dominant Franklin County feature, this 208-square-mile water body offers plenty of reasons to remember the region known as “The Forgotten Coast.” Nestled between historic St. Marks to the east and the more well-promoted panhandle hotspots from Cape San Blas to Pensacola, this massive bay stands guarded by St. Vincent Island, Cape St. George Island State Reserve, St. George Island and Dog Island. Hanging off a topographical point below the Apalachicola National Forest, Apalachicola Bay has historically stood in the shadows of Florida’s more developed destinations, but with vast marshes fed by major rivers and several creeks, oyster bars and expansive flats, this region is a redfish playground (The fall shrimp run can be fireworks). Also, a quartet of inlets—Indian Pass, West Pass, Sykes Cut (aka Government Cut) and East Pass—flush the bay and create redfish feeding opportunities. Sykes is the only one with jetties and tidal dynamics to position big bull reds in strategic positions for deep presentations.

HOMOSASSA, FLORIDA

You’ll hear the phrase “old Florida” a lot in the Nature Coast region, which sits just below the coastal curvature known as the Big Bend. Homosassa, with its decidedly tranquil community, leaves little hint of civilization as you leave the public boat launch next to MacRae’s Resort and head west toward the Gulf. Lined with live oaks, red cedars and Sabal palms, the river’s notoriously rocky run greets the coastal waters with an explosion of islands, tiny keys and shell bars. Accented with mangrove edges, sea grass and rougher, rock/sea fan type bottom, the Homosassa River still maintains a remote and less-trafficked appeal that complements its well-founded status as a redfish standout (Don’t overlook the St. Martin’s Keys northwest of the river channel. Uniquely detached, this Gulf oasis attracts redfish to its flats and mangrove shorelines).

PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA

Situated at the mouth of the Peace River at the top of Charlotte Harbor, this historic town operates at a pleasantly slow pace and offers easy access to Florida’s second-largest estuary (behind Tampa Bay). Listed as an estuary of National Importance, this 270-square-mile waterway, also fed by the Myakka River to the north and the Caloosahatchee River to the south (via Pine Island Sound), holds vast expanses of undeveloped shoreline, so redfish-friendly neighborhoods abound. South of Punta Gorda, the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park offers 70 miles of pristine habitat with various bays, creeks and islands well within reach. Throughout the harbor, mangroves, lush seagrass, oyster bars, docks and seawalls provide redfish many options.

FLAMINGO, FLORIDA

If you don’t mind crossing paths with American crocodiles, this southern section of Everglades National Park at the end of State Highway 9336 defines backcountry bliss. Winding mangrove creeks, seagrass, oyster mounds and shallow tailing flats account for most of the action. With proximity to nearby Snake Bight and Whitewater Bay, Flamingo’s Gulf-facing location benefits from strong tidal flushing, which helps maintain this stellar fishery’s redfish reputation. Word to the wise: Scoop your redfish with a net, release non-keepers with a gentle toss and never wash your hands at boat side. Bull sharks also roam these typically murky waters, and wiggling fingers resemble baitfish.

TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA

Known as the “Gateway to Nature and Space,” Titusville offers great viewpoints for rocket launches at nearby Kennedy Space Center. Impressive, but anglers enjoy more frequent views of tailing redfish and rumbling waters tinted by enormous auburn backs. Starting with the latter, Titusville’s upper Indian River Lagoon and the connected Mosquito Lagoon hold resident schools of giant bull reds. With minimal freshwater inflow and the nearest Atlantic inlet a long swim south, the fish find salinity levels high enough for their spawning needs (egg buoyancy). Along with these whoppers, Titusville waters hold good populations of sporty juvenile reds that relish the fertile grass beds, oyster bars and mangrove habitat. For reds of any size, this is a popular sight-fishing destination.

CAPE HATTERAS, NORTH CAROLINA

Big redfish visit the entirety of North Carolina’s world-famous Outer Banks, but when it comes to legend, lore and local loyalty, Cape Hatteras surf fishing is the magnet. Located at the south end of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the area’s reputation for giant redfish of 30-plus pounds (state record is 94-2) attracts hordes of diehard faithfuls with long rods known as “Hatteras heavers” transported in bumper- and bed-mounted racks. The heart of the action pulses through the strong currents swirling around Cape Point, but Avon to the north and Frisco to the southeast (inside the cape’s “hook”) offer more easily accessible surf casting opportunities. North Carolina allows beach access via 4-wheel drive vehicles and off-road vehicles (ORV), but seasonal restrictions exist and you must use numbered access points.

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