Reel Florida Outdoors

05/26/2026

Check out what is happening on the water in the Big Bend. Our new Blog is up.

Book guided fishing charters for redfish, trout, tarpon & snook on Florida's Big Bend. Plus hunting trips, scalloping adventures, and outdoor retreats. Expert guides, family-friendly.

05/14/2026

Join us as we bring you current fishing conditions as well as predictions for the next month.

05/13/2026

This past week in the Big Bend has been a true Florida spring pattern with scattered rain showers, changing tides, and just enough weather to keep things interesting. Even with the unstable conditions, the fishing has remained strong and at times absolutely outstanding.

The redfish continue to stay spread out along the oyster points and rocky shorelines instead of bunching up in big schools, which has made for some great sight fishing opportunities on lower tides. Early mornings have been producing some explosive topwater bites from trout, and once the cloud cover settles in, the fish have stayed active much longer through the day than we normally see this time of year.

One of the biggest highlights right now has been the cobia showing up in better numbers every week. We are starting to see more fish cruising the flats, markers, and deeper edges, and when conditions line up, it can turn into an unforgettable day in a hurry. This is one of the most exciting times of year in the Big Bend because you truly never know what may swim by next.

Another thing that has really stood out lately is the unbelievable number of sea bass around right now. There are sea bass everywhere, and they have been a blast for families and anyone wanting constant action between targeting reds, trout, and cobia. It is hard to beat the variety we have this time of year.

With the rain keeping water temperatures comfortable and bait continuing to pour into the area, the Big Bend is shaping up for an incredible late spring and early summer bite. If this past week was any indication, the fishing is only going to keep getting better from here.

— Reel Florida Outdoors

04/05/2026

Florida’s Big Bend isn’t just another fishing destination—it’s one of the most versatile and unique fisheries in the entire state.

What truly sets the Big Bend apart is the ability to launch from a single ramp and choose between two completely different fishing experiences—without ever loading the boat back on the trailer.

In most parts of Florida, you might be able to target snook and trout from the same launch. But in the Big Bend, you can take it a step further—chasing saltwater species like redfish and speckled trout on the flats, then turning around and running upriver to target freshwater favorites like redbreast, bass, and bluegill. That kind of diversity, all within minutes of each other, is something very few places can offer.

This flexibility makes the Big Bend a year-round fishery and a go-to destination no matter the conditions. Wind blowing too hard on the flats? No problem—duck into the protected rivers and keep the rods bent. Looking for a change of pace during your trip? You can go from sight fishing redfish in shallow grass flats to casting for aggressive river fish in tannin-stained water—all in the same day.

Beyond the fishing, the scenery is what seals the deal. The Big Bend is Old Florida at its finest—untouched coastlines, winding rivers, endless grass flats, and wildlife around every corner. It’s not just a fishing trip, it’s an experience that connects you to what Florida used to be.

Whether you’re planning a trip to target redfish and trout on the Gulf, or looking to explore pristine rivers full of bass and panfish, Florida’s Big Bend delivers unmatched opportunity and variety.

If you’re searching for:

Big Bend fishing report

Florida flats fishing for redfish and trout

Big Bend freshwater fishing for bass and bream

Fishing charters in Florida’s Big Bend

Best places to fish in North Florida

…you’ll quickly find that no place compares to what the Big Bend has to offer.

From one boat ramp to endless possibilities—just point the bow in the direction you want to fish.

04/03/2026

Big Bend Florida Fishing Report – Spring Bite is On Fire 🔥

Just another day in the Big Bend… and it’s exactly what spring fishing is all about.

As we settle firmly into spring along Florida’s Big Bend, those warm south winds are doing their job—keeping water temps up and fish feeding aggressively across the flats. Conditions right now are setting up perfect for consistent inshore action, and it’s showing every trip.

Today’s trip was a blast with one of my favorite groups of guys. We kicked things off targeting shallow water in the 1–2 foot range over spotted bottom, drifting with the wind and covering water. Throwing 5” Bass Assassin soft plastics, we stayed tight on a steady bite of speckled trout and redfish.

As the tide pushed in and water levels rose over the oyster bars and rocky edges, the bite shifted exactly like it should this time of year. We set up on structure and switched to suspending MirrOdines along with Bass Assassin Lil’ P&V under a popping cork. That change paid off big—putting multiple redfish in the boat along with some quality gator trout.

This is classic Big Bend spring fishing—moving water, aggressive fish, and multiple patterns producing throughout the day.

If you’ve been thinking about booking a trip, now is the time. The spring window is short, and the bite we’re seeing right now is exactly what anglers wait all year for.

Target Species: Redfish, Speckled Trout (Gator Trout)
Best Baits: Bass Assassin 5”, Lil’ P&V, MirrOdine suspending twitch baits
Hot Pattern: Drifting shallow flats early, then working structure with rising tide
Water Depth: 1–3 feet
Conditions: Warm south winds, rising temps, strong spring tides

Come experience Big Bend fishing the way it’s meant to be—shallow water, clear flats, and fish that are ready to eat.

📅 Book your trip now before these prime spring dates are gone.

03/27/2026

From Redfish to Redbreast — It’s Heating Up in the Big Bend

That last cold front is officially in the rearview mirror, and the Big Bend is doing what it does best this time of year—warming up and turning the fish on in a big way.

We kicked off the week on the Gulf and found steady action across the board. Redfish, trout, and flounder all made their way into the boat, with fish feeding aggressively in the warming water. Twitch baits—especially the MirrOdine 17MR series—have been producing consistently. Top colors this week have been 17MRGBG and 17MREC, worked slow and steady in 2 feet of water around rock and oyster bars.

Soft plastics are in the mix too. The 5-inch jerk baits from Bass Assassin have been getting crushed, with white and red/gold glitter leading the charge.

One of the best parts about fishing the Big Bend this time of year? Options. We can launch the boat and run left for saltwater or right for freshwater—and both are producing. The rivers are loaded right now with numbers of small largemouth bass and some absolutely beautiful redbreast bluegill. Beetle Spins in orange and yellow have been the go-to for steady freshwater action.

There’s no question about it—fishing is already hot, and with the weather we’ve got coming, things are about to break wide open.

Next week is shaping up with some incredible tides, and the calendar is filling fast. If you’ve been thinking about getting on the water, now’s the time.

Book your trip today:
www.ReelFloridaOutdoors.com
1-833-REEL-FLA

Come experience what spring in the Big Bend is all about.

01/31/2026

Cold air, slick water, and an airboat sliding through Old Florida marsh. Winter fishing doesn’t get a timeout. ❄️🐟

Cold water stacks fish tight, slows the game down, and rewards patience. No crowds, no chaos, just clean water and a redfish that still had business to handle.

And if you look close… that bent rod in the background isn’t there by accident. 👀
Let’s just say winter doesn’t mean no bite, it just means you better be ready when it happens.

This is why we fish the “off-season.” Fewer people, better decisions, and Florida the way it’s supposed to be.

01/18/2026

Old Man Winter made his presence known this past week. Overnight lows in the 20s pushed fish deep into the creeks. To say it was a chilly ride on the airboat would be an understatement—but the fishing warmed us up fast.

One of the best things about these winter cold fronts is the north wind. It brings low water that sticks around all day, setting up prime airboat fishing conditions.

Yesterday I had good friends and longtime clients, the Bakers, on the boat for their annual trip. The fish were fired up from the very start and stayed hungry until the tide finally crept back in and cooled the creeks off.

Today’s rain and snow across North Florida kept us off the water, but the next few days are shaping up to be extremely low. When that happens, the fish get trapped—and the action gets unreal.

We’ve only two negative tide days left this year. If you’ve been waiting, now’s the time.
Give Reel Florida Outdoors a call and let us set up your entire trip—fishing, lodging, and meals included.

Book your dates with Taylor County’s #1 full-service outfitter.

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01/13/2026

If you can’t tell by our posts—and everyone else’s—the fishing in the Big Bend is on fire right now.

Winter creates some of the most unique fishing opportunities of the year, and Reel Florida Outdoors gives our clients multiple ways to get in on the action. From sight-fishing off the skiffs to working potholes and troughs exposed by winter low tides on the airboats, the bite has been steady and strong.

We still have days available, and with winter patterns fully set up, the fishing is only going to stay hot.

And don’t forget—spring is right around the corner. RFO has plenty to offer, from incredible spring fishing to Osceola turkey hunts and wild hog hunting on private land.

Give us a call and let’s get outdoors—Old Florida style.

01/08/2026

We will be going live with the fishing report tonight at 7:30 p.m.