Summer in Jacksonville means one thing for inshore anglers: redfish season is in full swing. With warm water temps pushing into the high 80s and tides dictating the bite, knowing where to find reds this time of year can make or break your morning on the water.
Whether you're targeting bull reds in the surf or sight-fishing tailing fish on the flats, Northeast Florida has some of the best redfish habitat on the East Coast. Here's our breakdown of the top summer redfish spots near Jacksonville — and how to fish them effectively.
1. Sisters Creek & Fort George Inlet
Sisters Creek is consistently one of the most productive redfish areas in all of Northeast Florida. The combination of deep tidal creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats creates a year-round redfish magnet — but summer mornings here are especially productive.
Best approach: Fish the last two hours of the outgoing tide. Redfish stack up on the edges of oyster bars as water drains off the flats. Use a Z-Man SwimmerZ on a 1/4 oz jighead and work it slowly along the bottom. Topwater lures like the Z-Man Popperz also produce explosive surface strikes in low-light conditions early morning.
2. Pablo Creek & the ICW Grass Flats
The stretch of Intracoastal Waterway running through Pablo Creek offers some of the most accessible sight-fishing in Duval County. During summer high tides, redfish push up onto the grass flats and can be spotted tailing or pushing wakes through the shallow water.
Best approach: Pole or drift quietly along the flat edges. When you spot a fish, lead it by 3–4 feet and present a soft plastic like the Z-Man TRD or a weedless gold spoon. Polarized sunglasses are non-negotiable here — you're hunting by sight.
3. Nassau Sound & Amelia Island Flats
Just north of Jacksonville, Nassau Sound opens into a vast network of shallow flats and oyster bars that hold redfish all summer long. This area gets less pressure than the spots closer to town, which means larger, less-educated fish.
Best approach: Target the incoming tide in the early morning. Redfish move onto the flats to feed as water rises over the grass. Chatterbaits and Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ work exceptionally well here — the grass isn't as thick, so you can cover water fast.
4. Matanzas River (South of St. Augustine)
A short drive south, the Matanzas River offers world-class redfish action and some of the most scenic fishing in Florida. The shallow flats between Rattlesnake Island and the Usina Bridge are prime summer territory.
Best approach: Fish the first and last hours of daylight. Summer heat pushes redfish to feed aggressively in cooler low-light windows. Weedless soft plastics rigged on a light jighead are your best bet in the thick grass.
Summer Redfish Tips for Jacksonville Anglers
- Fish early or late. Summer heat is brutal, and so is fishing pressure. The 6–9 AM window is your golden ticket — fish are active and boat traffic is minimal.
- Follow the tide, not the clock. A 6 AM low tide fishes very differently than a 6 AM high tide. Always check the tide chart before you launch. Use InshoreIQ for free Jacksonville tide forecasts and bite scores.
- Go light on leader. Clear water and calm summer conditions call for 20–25 lb fluorocarbon leader. Heavy line spooks fish in shallow water.
- Watch for nervous water. Even when you can't see tailing fish, keep an eye out for subtle surface disturbances — a slight ripple or wake in calm water often means a feeding red just below the surface.
What to Wear on the Water
Jacksonville summers are no joke — temps regularly hit 95°F with brutal humidity. Staying comfortable means staying focused. Our performance fishing shirts and dry-fit tees are built for exactly these conditions: UPF-rated, moisture-wicking fabric that keeps you cool from sunrise to shutdown.
👉 Shop Florida Redfish LLC fishing apparel — designed for the inshore angler, built for Florida heat.
Final Thoughts
Redfish don't take summers off in Jacksonville — and neither should you. With the right spots, the right tides, and the right presentation, summer is actually one of the best times to target these fish. The flats are warm, the fish are aggressive, and there's nothing better than watching a red crush a topwater in the first light of a Florida morning.
Get out there. Tight lines.
— Florida Redfish LLC