Redfish, red drum, reds: whatever you call them, few fish make a coastal trip feel more alive. One minute you’re watching a quiet shoreline, the next you’re trying to keep a bronze fish out of the grass. You can chase them in plenty of places, but these five states would be at the top of my trip-planning list. Let’s count down to my number-one pick.
This is Ol’ Mac’s ranking, not a promise that every day on the water will be a good one. Tides, weather, season, and local conditions matter more than any list. Do your homework, and check the current rules for the exact water you’ll fish before you go.
5. South Carolina: A close-to-the-grass kind of trip
South Carolina kicks off the countdown for its tidal creeks, marsh edges, and flats. Around the Lowcountry, the fishing can feel intimate: watch the tide, look for movement, and work a shoreline patiently instead of racing to the next spot.
That beauty comes with a learning curve. A spot can change character as the tide rises or falls, and shallow habitat is easy to disturb if you’re careless. Take time to understand access, tides, and local etiquette. The payoff is a fishing day that feels as much about the place as the catch.
Why it makes the list: Tidal-marsh fishing that rewards patience and attention.
4. North Carolina: The big-red dream
North Carolina is the pick for anglers drawn to the possibility of a powerful red drum. The Pamlico Sound and connected coastal waters have made the state a destination for people dreaming about a memorable fish.
But don’t reduce North Carolina to one trophy photo. It’s a place to appreciate broad sounds, changing conditions, and the work of finding fish in a big landscape. Fish-handling and harvest rules deserve particular attention; know what applies to your trip and handle any fish you release with care.
Why it makes the list: Big-water adventure and the chance to pursue impressive red drum.
3. Texas: Big-sky coastal fishing
Texas takes third for its long Gulf Coast and shallow-water opportunities. The Laguna Madre is especially appealing if your idea of a good day is covering open water, studying grass and shorelines, and looking for the signs that fish are feeding nearby.
Wind can make the difference between a comfortable plan and a hard one. Choose launch points, water, and a vessel that fit the forecast, and don’t treat a long stretch of open bay as a casual shortcut. A well-planned trip beats trying to force the day you pictured at home.
Why it makes the list: Expansive Gulf Coast water and a distinctly Texas version of the redfish chase.
2. Louisiana: The marsh pick
Louisiana is hard to beat for sheer marsh-country appeal. There are grass edges, ponds, bayous, and miles of water that reward someone willing to slow down and read what’s in front of them. Watching a red push shallow water in a marsh pond is worth the trip by itself.
The challenge is that marsh fishing can look deceptively simple on a map. Wind, tides, shallow water, and navigation all change the day. If it’s your first trip, a knowledgeable local guide can be money well spent, not just for finding fish but for learning how to move through the area responsibly.
Why it makes the list: The sheer appeal of fishing redfish in a wild, intricate coastal landscape.
1. Florida: Ol’ Mac’s top pick
Florida takes the top spot for variety. Depending on where you go, you can look for redfish around grass flats, mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, and estuaries. That gives you choices: a skiff trip, a kayak day, or a carefully planned outing from shore. It’s the state I’d choose if I wanted to return more than once and try a different kind of redfish trip each time.
Florida is not one uniform fishery. Conditions and regulations can differ by region, and local closures or restrictions can change the plan. Pick a coast and a season first, then research the particular area rather than assuming advice from the other end of the state applies.
Why it’s number one: So many different coastal settings and ways to fish for reds in a single state.
So where should you go first?
For tidal creeks, look at South Carolina. For a big-red trip, North Carolina. For open Gulf water, Texas. For the marsh experience, Louisiana. And for the broadest variety of redfish trips on this list, Florida gets my vote.
The best state for your next redfish trip is the one you can plan well: choose a region, study the season and tides, check current licensing and red drum rules with that state’s fish and wildlife agency, and leave room in the schedule for the weather to have its say.
A good redfish trip doesn’t end when you leave the water. There’s gear to rinse, stories to tell, and usually a little marsh still on your hands. That’s the part Ol’ McDonald Soap Co. knows something about: a good bar waiting when you get home.