Redfish Fishing in St. Marys, Georgia
Redfish Fishing in St. Marys, Georgia: Tips for Inshore Anglers
If you're looking for one of the most exciting fish to target while fishing in St. Marys, Georgia, put redfish near the top of your list.
Redfish are a favorite inshore game fish along the Georgia coast. They can be found around marsh edges, tidal creeks, oyster areas, shallow flats and other coastal habitat.
The best part is that you don't necessarily need a large offshore boat to target them. Depending on conditions, redfish can be pursued from a boat, kayak or even from shore.
At 912 Coastal, we're all about helping anglers understand the waters around St. Marys and the Southeast Georgia coast.
Why Redfish Are So Popular
Redfish are powerful, aggressive and capable of making a great fishing trip memorable.
They can be targeted with both live bait and artificial lures, giving anglers plenty of options.
They're also closely connected to the coastal environment. Learning to catch redfish means learning how to read:
Tides
Marsh edges
Oyster structure
Creek mouths
Shallow flats
Deeper channels
Bait activity
Once you understand those things, you're not just randomly casting—you are actually looking for areas where redfish are likely to feed.
Where to Look for Redfish Around St. Marys
There isn't one magic redfish spot.
Instead, look for habitat.
Marsh Edges
Marsh edges can be productive because they provide access to shallow feeding areas and moving water.
Pay particular attention when a marsh drains into a creek or larger body of water.
Creek Mouths
Small tidal creeks can funnel bait into larger channels.
A creek mouth with current moving through it is often worth investigating.
Oyster Areas
Oyster habitat can provide both food and structure.
Fish may move around oyster areas as the tide changes, particularly when current is moving bait through the area.
Shallow Flats
Redfish frequently use shallow coastal areas.
Flats can be especially interesting during certain tidal stages when fish move onto shallow water to feed.
Deeper Edges
When fish aren't on the flats, look nearby.
A shallow flat next to a deeper channel gives fish an easy transition between shallow feeding water and deeper water.
If you want to become a better St. Marys redfish angler, learn the tide.
This may be more important than simply knowing which lure to throw.
As the tide moves, water flows through creeks, marshes and channels. That movement also moves food.
Redfish can position themselves where they can take advantage of that current.
Instead of fishing an entire shoreline equally, concentrate on areas where water is moving.
Look for:
Creek drains
Points
Current breaks
Oyster bars
Marsh drains
Channel edges
The goal is to find places where a redfish can feed without spending unnecessary energy.
Redfish Fishing With Live Bait
Live bait can be an effective option when targeting redfish.
The specific bait available and legal to use can vary, so always check current Georgia regulations before fishing.
When using live bait, focus on presenting it naturally around areas where redfish are likely to be feeding.
Good areas to investigate include:
Creek mouths
Marsh edges
Oyster structure
Current seams
Deeper edges
Keep your presentation simple and pay attention to the tide.
Redfish With Artificial Lures
Artificial lures are another great way to target redfish.
They allow you to cover water and search for active fish.
Popular choices for inshore anglers include:
Soft Plastics
Soft plastics are versatile and can be rigged and worked at different depths.
Shrimp Imitations
Shrimp are an important part of the coastal food chain, making shrimp-style artificial lures a useful option.
Jigs
Jigs can be worked along the bottom or through areas where fish are feeding.
Topwater Lures
When conditions are right, topwater lures can produce some of the most exciting redfish strikes.
The key isn't simply owning every lure.
It's learning when and where to use each one.
Redfish Tackle for St. Marys
A medium or medium-heavy inshore spinning setup can be a good starting point for redfish.
A typical setup could include:
Medium or medium-heavy spinning rod
2500–4000-size spinning reel
Braided main line
Fluorocarbon leader
Appropriate hooks
Soft plastics
Shrimp-style lures
Jigs
Topwater lures
Pliers
Landing net
Your tackle should match the type of water you're fishing and the size of fish you're targeting.
Kayak anglers may prefer lighter, compact setups, while boat anglers may carry several rods rigged for different presentations.
Redfish From a Kayak
Kayak fishing can be an excellent way to pursue redfish around St. Marys.
A kayak can quietly reach shallow areas, small creeks and marsh edges that larger boats may not be able to access.
But there is an important consideration:
The tide matters just as much for getting home as it does for catching fish.
Before launching, know:
Your launch location
Your return route
Tide direction
Wind forecast
Weather conditions
Water conditions
Always carry appropriate safety equipment and wear a properly fitted personal flotation device.
Can You Catch Redfish From Shore?
Yes, shore anglers can target redfish around coastal Georgia.
Crooked River State Park provides shore-fishing opportunities in the St. Marys area, and Georgia State Parks lists redfish among the species anglers may encounter there. (gastateparks.org)
When fishing from shore, concentrate on areas with:
Moving water
Structure
Creek mouths
Deeper edges
Marsh access
Don't simply cast as far as possible.
Sometimes the fish are much closer than you think.
Look for Signs of Bait
One of the easiest ways to improve your redfish fishing is to start paying attention to what's happening around you.
Watch for:
Bait jumping
Birds working
Water disturbances
Feeding activity
Current changes
Fish moving along the shoreline
If you see signs of bait, slow down and investigate.
Predators don't have to be far away.
Best Time to Target Redfish
Redfish can be caught throughout the year, but conditions change with the seasons.
Rather than relying on one specific time of day, consider the combination of:
Tide + weather + water temperature + bait + location.
An area that produces fish on one tide may be much less productive on another.
That's why keeping notes about your trips can be so valuable.
Write down:
Date
Tide
Weather
Location
Water conditions
Bait used
Lure used
Fish caught
Over time, you'll begin to see patterns.
Know the Regulations
Before targeting redfish in St. Marys or anywhere else in Georgia, check the current Georgia saltwater fishing regulations.
Size limits, bag limits and other regulations can change.
Georgia DNR provides current regulations and fishing information for Georgia anglers. (georgiawildlife.com)
Never rely solely on an old blog post or social-media post for current regulations.
Final Thoughts
Redfish fishing in St. Marys, Georgia is about much more than throwing a lure into the water and hoping for a bite.
The more you understand the marsh, the tide, structure and bait, the better you'll become at finding fish.
Start with the basics:
Find moving water.
Find structure.
Find bait.
Fish the tide.
Then keep learning.
Whether you're fishing from a boat, kayak or shoreline, St. Marys gives you plenty of opportunities to chase redfish and explore Georgia's coastal waters.
And that's what 912 Coastal is all about—helping anglers discover the fishing, boating, kayaking and coastal lifestyle of St. Marys, Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida.
Want to build a better understanding of inshore fishing? Inshore Fishing 101 breaks down the basics of reading water, understanding tides, choosing the right tackle, and finding fish along the coast.
Whether you're fishing the jetties, surf, flats, or backwaters, it’s a great place to sharpen your inshore fishing knowledge.
Explore More St. Marys Fishing
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