Gear & Tackle

Saltwater & Coast

Fly Fishing

Spin, Cast & Bait

St. Martins Marsh Fishing Guide

Florida

A coastal preserve of marsh, oyster bars, and seagrass between Crystal River and Homosassa, with red drum and sheepshead.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to St. Martins Marsh for redfish and sheepshead. In October, redfish is in season, and Clouser Minnow, EP Baitfish and Spoon Fly are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 25 miles; the closest is Ozello Bait and Tackle in Crystal River, about 4 mi away. Cedar Keys is about 28 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Season at a Glance

Redfish
Sheepshead
JFMAMJJASOND
View Larger Map

What You'll Catch

St. Martins Marsh Species

Redfish

Redfish

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Mar to May, Sep to Nov

Sheepshead

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Dec to Apr

Images: Duane Raver, USFWS. Public domain.

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

10 picks for October. marks species in season in October.

  • Clouser Minnow #1/0-8

    Fly

    Streamer · Redfish

    Shop This Fly

  • EP Baitfish #2/0-2

    Fly

    Streamer · Redfish

    Shop This Fly

  • Spoon Fly #1/0-2

    Fly

    Flats Fly · Redfish

    Shop This Fly

  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Weedless Gold Spoon 1/4 to 1/2 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Popping Cork Rig 18 to 30 in leader

    Lure

    Rig · Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Live Shrimp 2 to 4 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Sheepshead, Redfish

  • Sand Fleas Small

    Bait

    Live Bait · Redfish · Surf.

  • Cut Mullet Chunk or strip

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Redfish · Surf and passes.

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Redfish

Fly 9 ft 8 wt rod, floating redfish line, 16 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid with a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Sheepshead

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod with a sensitive tip, 3000 reel, 20 lb braid, fiddler crabs on a small strong hook.

Matched to These Species

Gear for St. Martins Marsh

Fly Lines

RIO Redfish Fly Line

A heavy front taper for quick shots at tailing fish in warm, humid conditions.

Check Price

Reels

Penn Battle III Spinning Reel

A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.

Check Price

Rods

Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod

A medium inshore rod for jigs, popping corks, and live bait.

Check Price

Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

Check Price

Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 8 wt Fly Rod

An 8 weight handles bass bugs, redfish flats, and wind. The most versatile warmwater and inshore size.

Check Price

Fly Reels

Redington Behemoth Fly Reel

A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.

Check Price

Sunglasses

Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses

Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.

Check Price

Reels

Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel

A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.

Check Price

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Within 25 Miles

Shops Near St. Martins Marsh

Within 25 Miles

Guides and Charters Near St. Martins Marsh

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Saltwater & Coast · Florida · About 28 mi

Cedar Keys

Gulf waters around the islands of Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, where spotted seatrout, red drum, flounder, and Spanish mackerel are caught.

Speckled Trout · Redfish · Flounder

Saltwater & Coast · Florida · About 70 mi

Deadman Bay

The bay at the mouth of the Steinhatchee River, inside the Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve, where redfish, sea trout, and tarpon are found.

Redfish · Speckled Trout · Tarpon

Lakes & Reservoirs · Florida · About 73 mi

Rodman Reservoir

A stump-filled impoundment of the Ocklawaha River known for giant bass.

Largemouth Bass · Crappie · Bluegill

Saltwater & Coast · Florida · About 75 mi

Tampa Bay

The biggest bay system in the state. Speckled trout, redfish, and jack crevalle.

Speckled Trout · Redfish · Jack Crevalle