The fishery changes every few weeks. Plan around it and you'll fish a better day.
The single most useful thing you can do before booking is pick your dates around the fishing rather than the other way around. Below is roughly what each season gives you. If your dates are already fixed, that's fine — there is always something worth doing. But if they're flexible, read this first.
March to May
Water warms and the fish spread out. Redfish come off their winter schools and start feeding aggressively in the creeks. Good all-around fly and light tackle fishing, comfortable weather, and fewer boats than summer. Early flood tides begin toward the end of this window.
Best for — first-timers, comfortable conditions, mixed fly and conventional.
June to August
Tarpon show up along the beaches and in the inlets. Flood tides run on the big moons. Hot, humid, and the most demanding fishing of the year — also the highest ceiling. Early starts are non-negotiable.
Best for — flood tide fly fishing, tarpon, anglers who can cast in wind and heat.
September to November
The best month-for-month stretch of the year. Flood tides continue on the big moons, bull redfish stack up around the inlets, bait is everywhere, and the weather turns pleasant. If you can only come once, come now.
Best for — everything. Book early; these dates go first.
December to February
The water goes clear and cold and redfish gather in large schools in shallow water. On a calm, sunny winter day you can see a hundred fish at once. It is the most visual fishing of the year and the most weather-dependent. Dress properly and pick your day.
Best for — sight fishing schools, photography, anglers with flexible dates.
Tides and moons matter as much as months. Send me your window and I'll tell you what falls inside it.