The Top 6 Ways to Find and Catch Redfish in Destin, Florida

The white beaches aren’t the only thing that makes Destin, Florida, famous. For anglers of all experience levels, there’s a specific inshore fighter that’s considered a prized target, the redfish. 

This copper-hued fish, which also goes by the name red drum, can be found in many areas along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, but there’s something special about Destin that makes it a great place for catching this specific fish. 

In Destin, there’s an incredible variety of habitats for redfish, so if you know how to navigate them, you’ll have year-round fishing spots. Let’s go over six ways to reel in your next Destin redfish.

1. Sight-Fishing on the Flats

While sight-fishing can be a considerable challenge, the clear grass flats of Choctawhatchee Bay provide the perfect arena for this. The trick for this visual hunt is spotting a few key signs before the fish spots you. 

One thing to look for is the redfish’s spotted tails that break the surface as they feed on shrimps or crabs at the bottom. You should also look for a V-shaped wake, which is a sign that they’re cruising through the shallow water.

Regardless of whether you are poling a skiff or using a trolling motor, you have to try to be as stealthy as possible. To avoid spooking the fish, cast a scented soft plastic shrimp or a small gold spoon three to ten feet in front of the fish’s path. 

For gear, a light-to-medium action 7-foot spinning rod with a 3000-series reel, spooled with 10-pound braided line and a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader, is perfect for this scenario. Furthermore, consider wearing a pair of polarized sunglasses to shield yourself from the glare.

2. Fishing Jetties and Bridges

If you’re looking for big, mature redfish or “bull reds,” the East Pass Jetties and the Mid-Bay Bridge are where you want to go. Strong currents and deep channels attract these big red drums during their fall spawning run because they use the structures like an ambush point where they wait for food to get carried their way.

Since fishing in these areas is about timing the tides, wanting bites to happen when the water is moving, heavier gear is required. We recommend an 8 to 10-foot medium-heavy rod with a 20 to 30-pound test line. 

You should opt for a Carolina rig set-up, using a 2 to 6-ounce egg sinker to hold your bait on the bottom in the current. For bait, use the ones with strong scents, like a large shrimp or cut mullet. If you care about your hook-up ratio or just want a safer release, use a circle hook.

3. Exploring the Bayous

The backwater systems of Destin, like the Hogtown Bayou, for example, are great year-round spots for catching redfish. This is because the warm dark-bottomed waters offer thermal refuges for the fish during winter, and deeper holes are cooler during summer. The bayous are a mix of shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass patches, all of which hold redfish.

In this place, you’ll want to use a popping cork. A live shrimp or a soft plastic imitation should be suspended under the cork. Then give your rod a sharp twitch. What you’re doing here is mimicking the sound of a live shrimp. The redfish will likely be drawn out of the grass as they try to investigate.

4. Targeting the River Mouth

If you’re looking for a highly productive fishery, the area where the Choctawhatchee River flows into the bay is a dynamic choice. Here is where you’ll find more juvenile redfish because the brackish zone is a natural nursery for them.

What you’ll be looking for are rock pile structures and the edges of the main river channel. Make sure the water levels are low because the bait and fish that consume them are more concentrated in defined areas.

Lures that create vibration and noise are ideal for waters that are often stained. So, bring out your rattling plugs or spinner baits.

5. Surf Fishing from the Beach

There’s something so satisfying about catching massive redfish from the beach. September to November are the ideal months to fish here during the fall spawning runs. You will have to look for deeper “throughs” or deeper channels that run parallel to the shoreline. They typically run between the first and second sandbars.

Here, specialized gear is needed. A long surf rod (10 to 12 feet or more) paired with a high-capacity spinning reel is necessary to cast heavy rigs. Use a Carolina rig with a 3- to 4-ounce pyramid sinker designed to hold in the sand.

Lures can work, but large chunks of oily cut bait provide more consistency. Since the redfish here are likely wary of artificial lures, you’re utilizing a strong cent trail to entice them better.

6. Ultimate Access via Kayak Fishing

If you really want to be efficient in targeting redfish in Destin, grab a kayak for maximum stealth and access, from silent exploration in shallow flats to navigating narrow bayou creeks. You can even use it when fishing in the structure around the Mid-Bay Bridge.

Freelining live croaker near the flats is a favorite technique for local kayak anglers. It’s an approach that lets you get near fish without alerting them. Thus, the kayak is a highly effective platform for both artificial and live baits.