Florida Redfish vs. Louisiana Redfish [VIDEO]
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
Redfish are one of the most popular gamefish in the entire country.
They are found from northern Mexico, through the Gulf of Mexico and up the East Coast all the way to the Chesapeake Bay.
The redfish that you catch in southern Texas is going to be the same species redfish that you catch in North Carolina.
Although redfish are found far and wide in the United States, there are some distinct difference in how they behave and what tactics you use to catch them depending on the region.
For example, two of the best redfish destinations in the country — Florida and Louisiana — both have great redfish fisheries. However, how these fish react and some of the tactics you use to catch them are completely different.
We decided to take a closer look at these two fisheries and break down the key differences and similarities between Florida redfish and Louisana redfish.
Florida Redfish Vs. Louisana Redfish
Florida and Louisana are both iconic destinations when it comes to redfish fishing.
Luke and I grew up fishing for redfish on the Florida Gulf and East Coast. Florida is home to a number of awesome redfish areas and waters such as Mosquito Lagoon, The Everglades, Crystal River and more.
Louisiana is also famous when it comes to redfish.
Many people say that Louisana has the best redfish fishery in the entire world and places such as Venice, Louisiana and the Biloxi Marsh are known simply for the sheer number and size of redfish that inhabit their waters.
In this podcast episode, we break down the similarities and differences between Florida and Louisiana redfish, including:
- Conditions to find redfish in
- Redfish behavior
- What lures to use in each destination
Have any questions or feedback about this podcast episode?
Let us know in the comments at the bottom of the page!
Note: Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Fish Strong podcast on iTunes or Google Play.
Learn more about the Insider Fishing Club
The Fish Strong Podcast: Florida Redfish Vs. Lousiana Redfish
Check out the video below to watch this week’s episode of the Fish Strong Podcast — including redfish footage from our recent fishing trip to Louisiana.
Click the play button to listen right here on our site or click either button below to go directly to iTunes or Stitcher to download the episode.
Note: Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Fish Strong podcast on iTunes or Google Play.
Learn more about the Insider Fishing Club
The Top Similarities & Differences Between Florida & Louisiana Redfish
In this section, we go over the top similarities and differences between redfish in Florida and Louisiana.
Similarities
- Redfish hold in similar areas and bite around the same time of day – reds in both Florida and Louisana look for similar feeding areas and habitat. Both fish like oxygenated water with vegetation, moving water and the presence of baitfish.
- Same lures work in both Florida and Louisiana – when we were recently in Louisiana, we threw many of the same lures for redfish there that we would for redfish in Florida. The same lures worked in both states.
- Similar seasonal behaviors – redfish in each state act similarly based on the seasons. For instance, bull redfish spawn offshore before moving into the passes and inlets in the fall in both Florida and Louisiana.
Differences
- Florida fish need to be led more – redfish in Florida tend to be more pressured and spookier than Louisiana redfish. You need to lead Florida reds with your cast a little bit more.
- Louisana fish feel and hear to eat – many of the waterways that Louisiana redfish inhabit are murky. As a result, these fish rely on their sound and feeling senses more than Florida redfish to catch their prey.
- Bull reds – although you can catch bull reds in both Louisiana and Florida, Louisiana has the greater number of bull reds that you can catch year-round.
Learn more about the Insider Fishing Club
Conclusion
While these are the same species of fish in each state, there are some differences in their behavior and how to approach fishing for them.
So which state has the ultimate redfish fishery? Our answer is both!
Each state has a ton to offer when it comes to redfish and we hope that everyone can experience both of them at some point in their lifetime.
If you want to experience a true Louisana redfish trip, check out the Cajun Fishing Adventures website here.
Are you still having trouble catching redfish in your home waters? Check out our tool to help you determine your biggest redfish skunk factor here.
If you have any questions about this article, let us know in the comments. We’re here to help!
Tight Lines!
Related Post:
1. The Best Lures For Catching Redfish [Surprise Answer]
2. 3 Shortcuts For Catching Redfish Like A Pro [VIDEOS]
3. Are You Making One Of These Mistakes When Fishing For Redfish?
Related Course:
Then you’ve got to see this private fishing club! Here’s what you’ll receive today:Do You Want To Quickly Find New Fishing Spots In Your Area?
Click here to join today.
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Lousiana offers better fishing for redfish than florida, seatrout too. However, florida offers superior fishing for most other saltwater species, and don’t let those whiny Floridians convince you otherwise.
One more thing, since Joe got broke off from what sounds like a structure/grass issue do y’all recommend a heavier braid?
There is a risk/reward decision with braid on spinning reels in areas like this… the lighter line will definitely get more casting distance and better feel of strikes. But the stronger line will ensure that there are not any break offs. Since we were sight fishing, most of our casts were pretty short so going up to 20 lb line would probably have been smart. But if we were blind casting the flats, I’d stick with the 15. We had multiple reds get wrapped around the grass, and only one of them got away, so the 15 can handle it most of the time.
Joe & Luke, just watched the pod cast again and learned a few more things so thanks a lot for analyzing both fisheries. I’m headed there next week for the IFA ( kayak division ) and was wondering about public landings. Is there a web site that lists public landings in La?
Hey Trey, I unfortunately do not know of a website that shows public landings over in LA.
Much tougher to consistently catch Bulls in shallow Fl. waters because of degraded water conditions & pressure, nothing like it was prior to 2010. Louisiana is Heaven on Earth when it comes to numbers & size of Reds. I always tell my wife that ” I think this will be my LAST trip to La.” BUT, just one more time, please Lord !!!
Great video/podcast. Had to stop when you started talking about popping corks and how they are effective in LA and not so much so here. Without the experience to back it up, I would say they would work well here in the Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach area because our waters are really murky with all the tannin in the water. It would seem to me that sight feeders around here are having to depend more on scent these days.
Great pod cast! I’ve fished Big Lake south of Lake Charles, LA and have slayed trout and redfish. It is an an amazing fishery.
I live in Cape Coral Florida and often fish Pine Island Sound. You mentioned above fishing for big bulls in the passes. Captiva and Redfish Pass with 20-30 foot depth are close by. Can you give me some advice on a method and baits to try? If you are literally in the Pass, only drifting is compatible with others. Should I also fish the water flow outside the pass but with 2-4 knot speed?
Watching as I type. You guys are so right on with your La. vs Fl sight fishing comparison. Last Thanksgiving we saw a beast from about 100 yards away backing in about 2 ft. He ate my 6th shot, 36 pounds, what a thrill!
Normally fish out of Tallahassee, sight fishing when conditions allow. It’s very different, just like you said! – John Williams
The Red Fishing used to be just like the Louisiana fishing right here in south Tampa Bay. You could run over a school in your boat, turn around and drop off plane and start catching. Just drift up and pick one out and drop a bait on their nose. But that was 35 years ago, sadly, not like that now!
Had that exact experience in La. 3 years ago. Fell in love that day! – John Williams
Impressive how much information one can learn by just listening to you guys !!! Tight Lines!!!