Fall time Redfishing!
Fall Redfish Run In St Augustine
🐟 Light Tackle Redfishing During the Fall Mullet Run in St. Augustine
When the days get shorter and the water starts to cool, something special happens along the northeast Florida coast. The fall mullet run kicks into high gear — and with it comes one of the most exciting inshore fishing opportunities of the year: bull redfish on light tackle.
From rocks and jetties to docks and bridges, the waters around St. Augustine light up with massive redfish that are hungry, aggressive, and ready to test your skills.
🎣 Why Fall is Prime Time for Big Reds
Every fall, schools of finger mullet and larger mullet pour out of the estuaries and into the Intracoastal Waterway and nearshore ocean. Redfish — especially the overslot “bulls” (30–45 inches and up) — follow them in, feeding heavily before winter.
These redfish stack up around:
The rocks at the St. Augustine Inlet
The Bridge of Lions and Vilano Bridge
ICW docks and creek mouths
Matanzas River bends and drop-offs
🧰 Gear & Tactics: Light Tackle, Big Fish
Don’t let the word “light” fool you — battling a 40″ redfish on a medium spinning rod is as fun as it gets inshore.
Recommended Setup:
7’–7'6” medium-heavy spinning rod
3000–4000 size reel
15–20 lb braid with 20–30 lb fluorocarbon leader
Top Baits:
Live mullet freelined or on a fish-finder rig
Cut mullet near structure
Topwater plugs at dawn and dusk (for aggressive strikes)
Paddle tails or jerk shads on a 1/4 oz jighead
The key is to match the hatch — if mullet are around, so should your presentation.
🪨 Where to Fish
Fall redfish follow the bait and love structure. Here’s where to target them:
🧱 Inlet Rocks & Jetties
Big reds cruise the current edges and eddies, ambushing bait. Fish a live mullet close to the rocks — but hold on tight.
🌉 Bridges
Try fishing downcurrent of bridge pilings, especially on the outgoing tide. Bull reds often hang deep, waiting to ambush passing bait.
🛶 Creek Mouths & Docks
On higher tides, reds push into shallower water around docks and grass lines. These fish are more likely to eat artificial lures if they’re fired up.
🕓 Best Time to Go
September through November is prime time.
Dawn or dusk is ideal, especially around moving water.
Outgoing tides tend to concentrate bait and fire up the bite.
Watch for nervous water, mullet flipping, or pelicans diving — if the bait is there, the reds won’t be far behind.
🧊 Catch & Release Tips
Most of these fall fish are breeding-size bulls. While they make for an epic fight, they’re not meant for the cooler. Florida law requires all redfish over 27" to be released.
Here’s how to do it right:
Use circle hooks when fishing bait.
Fight fish efficiently to reduce stress.
Revive the fish boat-side before release.
Keep ‘em wet for a quick photo, then let them swim.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Fall redfishing in St. Augustine isn’t just about numbers — it’s about quality. These overslot bulls on light tackle will leave your arms sore, your reels screaming, and your memory full. Whether you’re fishing from shore, a kayak, or a bay boat, the fall mullet run offers some of the best inshore action of the year.
So tie on a leader, find the bait, and pitch a mullet toward the rocks. You never know — the next bite could be the biggest red of your life.
Need gear advice or want to book a local charter for fall bull reds? Reach out today — the fish are here, and the bite is hot. 🐟🔥