Best Times & Seasons to Catch Redfish in Louisiana

Redfish are one of the most popular fish species to target in Louisiana. Knowing the best times and seasons to catch redfish in Louisiana helps anglers maximize the success of their fishing trips.

The best times to catch redfish in Louisiana is best from May through September but great fishing can be had year-round.

Louisiana offers world-class redfish fishing throughout the year. Redfish can be found in Louisiana’s marshy wetlands, shallow waters, and inshore canals.  

Best Times to Catch Redfish in Louisiana

Redfish fishing in Louisiana is excellent at any time of the year. So, there is no bad time to catch redfish in the local waters. 

The best months to target redfish in the region are May through September. Fishing for redfish is less productive during the winter months.

The early morning is the best time of day to catch redfish in Louisiana waters. Redfish fishing in Louisiana is best during the incoming low tide. Redfish start feeding actively during the tide changes. Redfish bite well after a tide begins to rise.

It’s possible to target redfish when water temperatures are 58 – 92°F. However, the best water temperature for redfish fishing is 75 – 88°F.

Seasonal Breakdown of Redfish Fishing in Louisiana

Winter

Redfish is a year-round target in Louisiana. Winter fishing for redfish is great in the region. However, redfish are very selective when it comes to picking baits in winter. It’s the time of the year when waters are clear and redfish can see bait well.

So, anglers find it easy to catch redfish during the winter months. In winter, redfish can be found in nearshore waters. Structure attracts redfish.

Anglers search for redfish near reefs, oil rigs, and wrecks during the winter months. It would be better to use live bait to catch redfish in winter. A live shrimp is a bait that works best for redfish fishing in Louisiana in the wintertime.    

Spring

Redfish are very active in Louisiana waters during the spring months. The weather is getting warmer and water temperatures rise in the springtime. As a result, the ideal conditions for redfish fishing are created.

In spring, anglers should target redfish in shallow waters, open waters, and marshes. A live shrimp is the best bait to use for targeting redfish in Louisiana during the spring months.    

Summer

Summer is the perfect time of the year to catch redfish in Louisiana. Water temperatures continue to rise in the region in summer. That’s why redfish fishing is very productive. Offshoots in creeks are good places to target redfish during a high tide.

It would be great to search for redfish near the banks during the low tide. Live baits such as crabs are the ideal choice for redfish in summer. 

Fall

Fall redfish fishing is exciting in Louisiana. Oftentimes, anglers catch redfish of a large size in the local waters in the fall. Redfish prepare for winter and feed actively during the fall months. In the fall, redfish can be found near underwater structures.

It makes a lot of sense to target redfish in channels and passes that lead into marshes and ponds. Crabs are one of the best baits to use for fishing redfish in Louisiana in the fall.   

Recommended Redfish Charters in Louisiana

These Louisiana-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Get’n Hooked Inshore Adventures	New Orleans, LA
Big Dog Fishing Charters	Barataria, LA
Drum & Co. Fishing – Port Sulphur	New Orleans, LA
Speck Dat Charters	New Orleans, LA
A Fishing Fool Charters	Slidell, LA
Victory Bay Charters	New Orleans, LA
Bayou Obsession Charters	Barataria, LA
Waterside Charters	Lake Charles, LA
Right Side Charters	Slidell, LA
High Tide Charters	Lake Charles, LA
Bayou Boys Charter	St. Bernard, LA
New Orleans Style Fishing Charters	Lafitte, LA

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.

Night Fishing Redfish in Louisiana

It’s possible to catch redfish during the day and at night. Night fishing for redfish in Louisiana can be very good. Piers that are equipped with lights are the ideal places for redfish night fishing.  

Anglers give preference to night fishing when they would like to catch a huge redfish. Fly fishing is an effective technique to catch redfish in Louisiana in the nighttime. 

Redfish concentrate in shallow waters and near structures such as bridges and docks during the night hours. So, anglers can catch them easily.

The success of redfish fishing depends on the phases of the moon. Redfish see better and feed actively during the full moon. Redfish fishing can be very productive under the bright moon. Anglers also get excellent results when targeting redfish during the new moon.

Night fishing for redfish in Louisiana is very productive from May to September. Anglers can avoid summer heat if they go fishing at night during these months. But most importantly, redfish is active and that’s why anglers can get good results at this time of the year. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Louisiana, check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Empire-Venice, check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best fishing spots for redfish in Lousiana, check out this article. Click here to see a breakdown of the best times for Florida seatrout.