Redfish on Fly and Light Tackle

By: Geoff W. Colmes

Alex McLoud from London with a redfish caught on fly in the Everglades Natl. Park. Photo By: Geoff Colmes

Redfish, along with snook and tarpon are one of the most prolific species of gamefish in Southern Florida and can be found year round.

The average size of redfish in the Everglades and Florida Keys is about four to eight pounds, with larger fish exceeding fifteen pounds not uncommon. The IGFA world record redfish was caught by David G. Jewell, while fishing in Avon, North Carolina, in 1984, weighing an incredible 94 pounds 2 ounces. We don't see fish like these in South Florida but Redfish are a viable part of our fishery and provide exciting and consistent fly fishing and light tackle opportunities.

Redfish occur just about anywhere in Florida Bay and the coastal and tidal areas of the Everglades National Park. They can be found in large schools, especially during their spawning season, in fresh water estuarine creeks and bays, to open saltwater basins and flats. Individual fish can be stalked in very shallow water while "tailing" like bonefish and permit, making them a challenging target species, year round.