Though the redfish around Jacksonville are rarely huge, they are abundant and aggressive. Photo by Chris Shaffer

When it comes to redfish, the Jacksonville area is flush with thousands of quality battlers. Yet in comparison to other areas, these fish get relatively little attention. Perhaps it is the lack of truly monster-sized reds that turn up in other coastal areas. Whatever that reasons, local anglers are more than happy to simply enjoy the action.

The Intracoastal Waterway and the lower St. Johns River in the Jacksonville area offer excellent action for mostly 3- to 8-pound fish. Keep in mind that these reds are not migrant fish, but residents. As a result, though tactics vary by season, redfish can be caught 365 days a year in this area.

"I've fished quite a bit in the other areas for redfish and all over Florida, but few areas offer what we have here in the Intracoastal waters," says professional fishing guide Chris Holleman. "They have mangroves in South Florida; we have the mud flats."

While topography does differ in many instances, it's the shallow-water sight-fishing that draws many anglers to the greater Jacksonville Intracoastal waters.

"In Jacksonville, the fish are shallower. We are actually seeing their shoulders out of the water. It's a totally different experience than you'd get in most parts of Florida," Holleman notes.

He considers a 3-pounder average in this area, but it would take a 7-pound red to be considered a quality fish.

July is an exciting month to fish the Intracoastal for redfish. This month you experience daily episodes in which the redfish have their backs, fins and shoulders out of the water on low tide.

"We have about a 4- to 5-foot tide drop. You can sit in one spot that is totally different at high and low tide. On certain tides, there might be a 15-minute window when they'll bite, and you need to know when that is and how to fish it," Holleman confides. "At high tide you go to one place, and at low tide you go to another. You have to figure out at what point to fish each oyster bar. A lot of it is trial and error."

But that, of course, is exactly why we came looking for a local expert like Chris Holleman.

"You can catch redfish all year in the Jacksonville area," Holleman offers. "The only thing is that during certain times of the year they are more active than at others."

July is one of those times when they are active and willing to feed.

Redfish can be taken on bait or lures. Technique revolves around tides, water clarity and temperature. There is no bad time to fish, but action can often reflect the amount of bait in the system. Reds, like most other fish, are drawn to baitfish and other forage, focusing their lifestyle on feeding on whatever is available in the food chain during that particular time of year.

Traditionally, in the summertime redfish are in a feeding mode because lots of shrimp and other foods are in the system. Thus, several baits work well. Blue crabs are a delicacy for the redfish, while artificial baits like plastic worms and jigs also draw strikes, though not as quickly. Other times you want to throw spinnerbaits or even topwater lures. The key to success is knowing when to fish each.

DEAD LOW TIDE
At the dead low tide, redfish are tough to catch. This can be frustrating, because while the fish are often visible in shallow water, it is very difficult to get them to bite.

During this tide stage, sight-fishing is effective if you are able to creep up on the reds without spooking them. Since the redfish are so shallow, a subtle presentation is also necessary. Often there are no second chances. Spook one fish, and it is likely the whole school will panic too. It is then time to move on in search of more reds.