Red October: Redfish Tips with Toadfish Pro Christian Conley
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Time to read 4 min
The air is cooler, the water temps are dropping, there’s bait everywhere, and the fish are hungry. Ahhh, fall - a fisherman’s favorite time of year. And for good reason! October, affectionately known as “Red October,” is when shallow-water, fall redfish feed with reckless abandon, filling up before the chill of winter. Toadfish Ambassador Christian Conley has been putting that bite to work this season, dialing in a pattern that’s pure inshore gold, using his Ultralight Flats Bastard and Carbon Elite II combos.
Where to Find Big Inshore Redfish during "Red October"
Christian’s fall strategy starts in the creeks and on the flats - zones where water depth, current, and temperature all come together. “I’ve been having a lot of luck targeting flats and deeper pockets in creeks - think a two-and-a-half-foot pocket, in an otherwise foot-and-a-half-deep creek,” he says. Those subtle depth changes act like dinner tables for hungry reds. Around low tide, the shrimp flush out of feeder creeks and settle into those slightly deeper holes. “It sets up an absolute feast,” Christian explains. As the day warms, those shallows also heat up, pulling fish in tighter and getting them fired up to feed.
If you find a stretch with oyster structure and a little flow, you’re in prime redfish territory. On calm mornings, Christian says you can often hear the bite before you see it: “If it’s quiet, you can hear reds blowing up on shrimp from a few creek bends away.” That sound alone is enough to quicken any inshore angler’s pulse.
The Best Techniques for Shallow-Water Fall Redfish
With these shallow-water reds, presentation is where the magic happens. Christian’s setup starts with a light leader - typically 12lb fluorocarbon on the 7’6” Flats Bastard, or 15–20lb on the 7’4” Carbon Elite II, depending on water clarity and how spooky the fish are. When the water clears up in winter, he’ll even step down to 8lb for extra stealth. “The lighter you can get away with, the better,” he says.
From there, it’s all about stealth and precision. Cast past the fish, not at it, and drag your lure into its path. “As long as you don’t spook or ‘line’ the fish,” Christian says, “you should get eaten.” The key is to move slow, stay patient, and trust your gear. The Flats Bastard’s sensitivity lets you feel every flick of the tail, and the Carbon Elite II gives you that extra reach and control when working a lure across a pocket or flat.
What to Throw for Hungry Redfish in the Fall?
Once you’ve found them, it’s all about matching the hatch. This time of year, Christian’s been throwing medium-sized shrimp and minnow imitations in the three-inch range. “If I’m fishing super shallow, I’ll downsize to something narrower like a Slim SwimZ,” he says, “the smaller profile helps keep from spooking fish in skinny water.” For bigger presentations, he leans on the DieZel KickerZ and Kicker CrabZ, which give off a perfect mix of flash and vibration when crawled across oyster edges or through sandy troughs.
Christian is sure to rig everything weedless, usually on a Texas Eye Jig from Eyestrike, to keep his lures from snagging when the reds are cruising tight against oyster beds. “There’s nothing worse than getting hung up when a fish is crawling right at you with its back out of the water,” he laughs. Weedless rigging keeps the cast clean and lets you present the bait right where it needs to be.
Get Out There and Find ‘Em!
With water temps dropping and shrimp pouring out of the creeks, this is the best time of year to chase shallow-water reds. Christian’s approach is proof that a little patience, a sharp eye, and the right setup can turn an average day into a Red October to remember.
Now’s the time to grab your favorite Toadfish inshore gear, hit those shallow creeks, and put these tips to work. The Flats Bastard and Carbon Elite II were built for this - light, balanced, and made for technical fishing in skinny water. Big reds are feeding. The tides are right. So get out there, fish hard, and remember to #PutEmBack.
Question 1
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Question 2
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