Reds live across the inshore zone — flooded grass flats on a high tide, oyster bars on a low one, dock pilings, jetty rocks at the inlets, and the lower St. Johns up to the Buckman. Slot fish (18-27 inches) work the marsh creeks year-round. Bull reds — over-slot fish — push into the river mouths, the surf, and the inlet jetties on the fall run from late September into November.
Copper-bronze body, slightly darker on the back, lighter on the belly. The signature mark is a black spot near the base of the tail — sometimes one, sometimes a half-dozen. Old timers count them as 'pennies.' Slot is 18 to 27 inches total length in Florida; over-slot fish are catch-and-release. Daily bag is one fish per angler.
Fall is the marquee window — bull reds run the surf and river mouth from late September through November, biggest fish of the year. Spring (April-May) brings the first reliable slot bite back to the flats as water warms past 70°F. Summer slows mid-day but the dawn and dusk grass-flat bite stays consistent through the heat. Winter the fish school tight in the deeper holes — find one school and you can sight-cast a hundred fish.
On your first trip, go simple. Find an oyster bar on a falling tide — anywhere in Sisters Creek, Mill Cove, or the back of Nassau Sound works. Throw a popping cork with a live shrimp two feet under it. Pop the cork hard every ten seconds. If you see a wake or a tail break the surface, lead it by six feet, not on it. The bite is unmistakable — the cork disappears, then everything goes tight.
Florida fishing regulations change. Always confirm slot, bag limits, and seasons on the official source before you keep anything. See our Licenses & Regulations page or go straight to MyFWC.com.