Winter often gets written off as the off-season. But if you fish on foot or poling a skiff, it might just be the best redfish season of the year. In the Lowcountry, colder water brings clarity, hungrier fish, and some of the most memorable sight-fishing you’ll ever experience.
Water that was once stained turns gin-clear. Redfish that were scattered across marshes and flood tides now bunch up into massive schools. And when you see one of those schools for the first time—dozens (sometimes hundreds) of copper backs sliding through skinny water—it's something you will never forget.
Top that off with fewer bugs in the air and quieter waterways and you have some fly fishing that is equal parts technical and magical.
Where to Find Winter Redfish
As water temperatures drop, redfish change their routine. Instead of roaming wide marsh systems in singles, they consolidate and seek out areas that offer warmth, depth, and safety.
During winter, expect redfish to:
- School up tightly – often in large, visible groups
- Push far up creeks – sometimes into surprisingly small or overlooked water
- Hold on shallow mud flats – especially on sunny days when dark mud absorbs heat
Low tide becomes prime time. Fish are easier to locate, more predictable in their movements, and often pinned into specific zones.
What to Look For
Winter redfish make themselves known if you know how to read the water. Keep your head on a swivel and your pace slow.
Key signs include:
- Large wake pushes moving steadily through shallow water
- Exposed backs and tails when fish slide onto skinny flats
- Nervous water where a school is milling or changing direction
- Deeper holes or bends way back in creeks where fish stack up on colder days
Because the water is clearer, everything is amplified—both your ability to spot fish and their ability to spot you.
How to Fish Them
Clear water and low tides mean spooky fish. Winter redfish demand patience and precision.
A few rules to live by:
- Lead the fish—often by several feet, especially with moving schools
- Keep the fly well in front and let the fish come to it
- Use slow, methodical retrieves; subtle is better than aggressive
Once a fish commits, less is more. Short strips, pauses, and confidence in the presentation usually work. Don't forget to strip set once the eat is triggered.
What Flies to Use
Winter forage is small, so your fly selection should reflect that. There isn't much in the water, so redfish will be keeping a keen eye on what is edible. That said, they are also more selective because anything that looks out of place is easily recognized as a red flag.
Also, go small with your fly sizes during this time of the year.
Effective winter fly patterns include:
- Small baitfish imitations: Clousers, small articulated streamers
- Tiny shrimp flies: Kwan shrimp, Gotcha shrimp
Stick to dark or natural colors—olive, brown, black, tan. On some days, a touch of flash or a subtle attractor element can be the trigger, especially when fish are following but not committing.
Gear We Recommend
Winter fishing is can be demanding on your body and your gear. Showing up prepared with the right gear can make all the difference.
Here's our winter redfish setup:
- 8wt or 9wt fly rod for wind, distance, and control
- Coldwater floating fly line that stays supple and doesn't tangle
- 20lb fluorocarbon leader for stealth and abrasion resistance around oysters
- Serious waders and boots—cold water is no joke when you’re on foot or in a skiff
- Atollas 2GO Box loaded with season-appropriate flies
Last Cast
Spring through summer may deliver that iconic image of tailing redfish in flooded grass, but winter offers something different and arguably more special. Vast schools, crystal-clear water, and premier sight-fishing create moments that stick with you long after your hands warm back up.
If you’re willing to brave the cold, slow down, and fish with intention, wintertime delivers some of the most rewarding fishing of the year for redfish.