Skip to main content

Redfish's Time to Rise Through the Cold

Redfish's Time to Rise Through the Cold
Two years ago, a record setting cold snap decimated populations of marine fish along Florida's coast. Because snook are very sensitive to cold temperatures, they were among the hardest hit by the freeze. Prior to this, Florida Bay and the southwest coast of Florida were stacked with snook. The redfish population, however, was smaller and the fishing marginal when compared to other destinations like New Orleans or Texas. While redfish were a common sight, they were often spookier than bonefish and were somewhat unreliable.

Recently, I spent a few days fishing around the 10,000 islands and in Florida Bay and was amazed by the number of redfish that roamed the mangrove shorelines and fed on the warm, brackish flats. Unfortunately, snook, which are among my favorite species to pursue, are still fairly scarce; but they are rebounding well. It is extremely interesting to observe the changes in this fishery. Five years ago, the aggressive snook dominated this environment feeding opportunistically on small baitfish, crabs, shrimp and even baby reds, but now it is time for the redfish to thrive. I imagine that in a few years, barring no more excessive cold fronts, the snook and redfish will share their habitat and do the delicate dance that nature intends. These fish are survivors and fluctuations in their populations are the norm. Let's hope that Florida Fish and Wildlife leaves the redfish limits as they are and allows the snook population to rebound, so the two populations find that natural balance and flourish side-by-side. But for now, let there be redfish.

//www.flyfisherman.com/files/2012/01/P1000610-300x225.jpg

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
Fly Tying

Perdigon Fly

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
News

Mag Promo April-May 2023

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
Gear

Finding and Catching Trout in Mountain Lakes

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
Destinations/Species

Packing for Fly Fishing Mountain Lakes

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
Gear

Bugs, Aquatic Invertebrates, and other Forage Food of Mountain Lakes

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
How-To/Techniques

Over the Guardrail: Sometimes a Monumental Journey Can be Close to Home

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
Gear

Tying Matt Winkler's Balanced Leather Leech

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
How-To/Techniques

Angler And Artist Inspiration: Nick Mayer Art

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
Gear

Tying the Kamchatka Mouse

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
Gear

Tying Villwock's The Roamer–A Streamer for All Species

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
How-To/Techniques

Blood Run: Fly Fishing with Amazon Warriors

On newsstands January 3rd! Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital.
News

FF-Feb-Mar-23 Promo

Fly Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Fly Fisherman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now