As October approaches, surf anglers along the Florida Panhandle are getting ready for one of the most exciting runs of the year: slot redfish cruising the beaches. If you’re planning to hit the sand this fall, there’s good reason to believe you’re in for a stellar bite.
Based on insights from local guide Blake Hunter of Reel 30A, last year’s redfish run was one of the most active he’d seen in over a decade. And if conditions in October 2025 line up the same way, we could be in for a repeat.
A Mullet Migration That Brings the Heat
Every fall, schools of mullet begin their migration out of the bays and into the surf zone. Last year, this migration was unusually heavy, with sprawling schools stretching for acres. “It was the biggest mullet run I’ve seen in ten years,” Hunter noted at the time.
The redfish followed in droves. Most were slot-sized, between 18 and 20 inches, with some puppy drum mixed in. While the bull reds likely stayed a bit more scattered, the inshore class stacked up along the beaches of Western Bay, Walton, and Eastern Okaloosa County.
Expect the same pattern in 2025 if the bait shows up in similar numbers.
Why Redfish Key in on Mullet Schools
It’s not that the reds are feeding on mullet directly, they’re following the chaos. As these large bait schools stir up the bottom, small crabs and crustaceans get flushed out, providing an easy meal. “It’s like a deer drive,” Hunter explained. “The mullet stir everything up, and the redfish are sitting there waiting.”
For anglers, that means success is all about finding and fishing around the mullet schools. When you see that dark, churning mass moving down the beach, you’re likely in the right spot.
Tactics That Worked
Hunter’s top rig for targeting reds in the surf is a single-drop leader with an 18- to 20-inch snood. Unlike pompano rigs that use bright floats, this setup is minimal, just a bead, or sometimes nothing at all. “Redfish don’t love floats. They want a more natural presentation,” he said.
As for bait, shrimp, blue crab, and crab-scented Fishbites (especially the Peel & Green variety) were the big producers last year. Sand fleas also work well, but they were hard to come by, and that may continue into this fall.
Frozen crab can be effective, but fresh is always better if you can find it. That said, Hunter noted most of his bites in 2024 came on shrimp and artificial scent baits rather than fresh crab.
Timing and Location: Fish the Dropoff, Fish the Morning
Redfish hug the edge of the sandbar, right where the slope drops into deeper water. That’s the strike zone. “They’re not like pompano that run deeper,” Hunter said. “You want to be right on the bar.”
The bite window also mattered. Hunter reported the best redfish action came in the early morning (between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m.), usually on a falling tide. If 2025 follows the same tidal and temperature trends, early starts will again be your best bet.
Why the Single Drop Rig Shines
While double-drop rigs are a surf fishing staple, Hunter prefers the single drop for slot redfish, especially when casting heavier baits. Not only does it allow for better casting distance, but it also helps you focus on quality fish. “I’m not trying to catch two pompano. I want one good red.”
He typically ties his rigs with 25-pound fluorocarbon or mono, noting that in cooler fall water, finesse isn’t as critical. “These fish are fired up,” he said. “They’re feeding aggressively. You don’t need to get fancy.”
Weather, Conditions, and All-Day Fishing
Perhaps the biggest difference between fall and summer fishing? With cooler mornings, mild afternoons, and extended fishing windows. You can fish all day.
“In the summer, you’re done by 8 a.m.,” said Hunter. “But in October, if you find a spot where people aren’t swimming, you can pick at fish from morning to afternoon.” While the redfish bite was strongest early, he noted that pompano began showing midday (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), providing a second wave of action.
Don’t Miss the Window
While Hunter typically starts winding down his charter schedule in the fall, last year’s bite kept him busier than expected all the way into Thanksgiving. If you’re planning to fish this October, don’t let this slot redfish window slip by. It’s a rare time when surf anglers can consistently catch six or more reds in a single morning session, right from the sand.
