0 Shares 4051 Views
00:00:00
09 Jul


Offshore And Nearshore Fishing For Redfish

With the increasing pressure on inshore fishing, more and more anglers are heading out the inlet to nearshore and offshore reefs and structures. They’re not necessarily looking for Grouper or Snapper, but instead, species that you would commonly find inshore in the creeks and estuaries. Species like Redfish. These fishing grounds outside the inlet are becoming more and more popular with fishermen looking for a less pressured option they can easily access.

The transition is rather easy with only a handful of changes to adapt to the new tactics. The first is the time of year. Targeting offshore and nearshore Redfish means focusing on May and June and then again in the cooler fall months. I start the rigging process with a jigging rod and a 4000 series reel that’s spooled with a 40-pound braid. It’s important to remember that the stronger line is necessary due to the larger fish and underwater structure. I then move to the actual rig that includes a standard Carolina rig with a 12-inch leader made with 30-pound fluorocarbon, a wide bend hook, and a 1 ½ to 2-ounce egg sinker weight.

It’s important to start over the actual structure and get to the bottom quickly. This will reduce getting hung on the bottom or being cut by a passing fish. Determining your jigging method is based on how rugged the bottom is. I always recommend making a straight drop down when you’re over a wreck due to the greater chance of snagging. If you find that the bottom allows you to jig without hang-ups, then you can move further out from the actual structure. This is where you will many times find the Redfish waiting for smaller baitfish over the structure. These Reds on the outskirts of the structure are usually larger and in a feeding frame of mind. If the bite is lite, then move around until the bite improves, moving no more than 50 feet from the structure or reef. It also helps if you look for a water temp of around 70 degrees. This is one of the main reasons that the best fishing for offshore Redfishing is in the early summer and the fall months. Fishing is just the best in this range.

Believe me, the reef/structure can be a new way of fishing for you. There are days that we have great results while the inshore fishing is off. There are trips that we have caught 22 in a single day and they were as large as 35 inches. They’re out there and waiting on you. Take plenty of tackle. You’ll need it.

You may be interested

Sight Fishing Like A Pro
Inshore Fishing
2580 views
Inshore Fishing
2580 views

Sight Fishing Like A Pro

Tim Wilson - June 19, 2025

Sight fishing can be a rush when done right. It’s taking your inshore fishing to the next level with a dose of adrenaline. It requires great upper-level…

My Fishing Spot’s Better Than Yours…..Increase Your Your Hotspots
Inshore Fishing
2377 views
Inshore Fishing
2377 views

My Fishing Spot’s Better Than Yours…..Increase Your Your Hotspots

Tim Wilson - June 9, 2025

Every angler has their favorite go-to spots—the kind of place where they landed great fish just a few months back. It might be a familiar dock or…

Pre-Planning For the Next Day’s Fishing Trip Like a Pro
Inshore Fishing
3001 views
Inshore Fishing
3001 views

Pre-Planning For the Next Day’s Fishing Trip Like a Pro

Tim Wilson - June 9, 2025

While many saltwater anglers just roll out of bed and head to the boat ramp, the top-notch fisherman has a different approach. It starts before the day…

Most from this category