When it comes to sight fishing, few places match the excitement of South Florida’s beaches. From redfish tailing in the surf to snook patrolling rocky outcrops, this stretch of coast offers some of the clearest water and closest encounters you can have with inshore species. And if you’re new to the game or want to sharpen your skills check out, Captain Experiences Sight Casting Charters
🎣 The Art of Sight Casting in South Florida
Sight casting isn’t just fishing—it’s hunting. You’re not waiting for a bite. You’re stalking your prey, spotting them in the shallows, and placing your bait or fly right in their path. It’s equal parts stealth, skill, and adrenaline, and this video by angler and creator Rich captures the action from start to finish along a picturesque stretch of Florida’s Atlantic coast.
This trip starts like any great beach mission should—with a bike ride down the sand, a rod in one hand, and a bag of bait in the other. Rich sets up shop on a remote section of shoreline, surrounded by rock piles, clear blue water, and the chance to hook into some of the most fun inshore fighters Florida has to offer.
🐟 Redfish, Snook, and Sheep’s Head—Oh My!
The game plan? Keep it simple and stay versatile. Rich brings three setups:
- A spinning rod rigged with a Salt Strong prawn (weedless soft plastic),
- A fly rod for cruising fish in calm water,
- And a crab-and-weight rig for tempting finicky sheep’s head.
Let’s walk through the key moments and lessons from this sight-fishing masterclass:
🎯 First Contact: Sight Fishing a Redfish
Early in the session, Rich shows a clip from a few days earlier when he sight-fished a redfish in ultra-clear water. With the prawn rig rigged up weedless, he made a perfect cast to a cruising red. The fish crushed the lure without hesitation, and just like that, Rich landed his first redfish on that beach.
“To miss out on the first opportunity and then get a second—that is insane,” he says, and you can hear the excitement in his voice.
Lesson: In sight casting, accuracy matters more than anything. You get one, maybe two shots. Make it count.
More … Surf Fishing Redfish Action
🐠 Snook on the Rocks
After walking the beach and casting along the rocks, Rich spots a school of snook. A couple of casts later, and he’s hooked up. Light tackle makes it extra fun, even if the fish aren’t huge.
Snook love structure, and the key to catching them here is presentation—slow, steady retrieves and keeping the lure close to the rocks without getting snagged.
When the snook frayed the leader, Rich retied with a loop knot. Why? Because it gives the prawn better action and a more natural swim. It’s a little detail, but in sight fishing, little details catch fish.
🦀 Crab Time: Sheep’s Head in the Surf
With the artificial lure action slowing down, Rich swaps over to live crabs and heads to a known sheep’s head spot. It doesn’t take long.
“That sheep’s head ripped over and smoked it!” he shouts, hooked up to a solid fish.
Sight casting to sheep’s head in shallow water is a different game. These fish are curious but cautious. They inspect everything and spook easily. But if you land a crab right in front of them, they often can’t resist.
Tip: Use small crabs, thread them on a small hook, and let them fall naturally. Patience and stealth are key.
🎣 The Fly Rod Makes an Appearance
Rich grabs his fly rod and ties on a shrimp imitation. He sees a couple of snook cruising and makes several casts, but the fish aren’t committing. Still, the thrill of casting to visible fish keeps the adrenaline pumping.
Even if you don’t hook up, fly fishing in these conditions is an unbeatable challenge. Seeing your fly land just inches in front of a target, then watching how the fish responds—that’s what sight fishing is all about.
🐟 Back-to-Back Action: More Reds and Snook
As the tide drops, Rich works his way back down the beach. That’s when the magic happens.
In just a few minutes, he sees a redfish and a snook working together in shallow surf, feeding in just inches of water. After a few careful casts, he hooks into a beautiful red.
“That is what I’m talking about!” he exclaims, lifting the bronze fish from the wash.
This moment shows how important timing and water movement are in sight fishing. The slack high tide gave way to a soft outgoing flow, pushing baitfish up onto the beach. The predators followed.
🦈 Bonus Action: Jack Crevalle, Barracuda, and Spinner Sharks
No trip to the beach would be complete without some surprise visitors. At one point, Rich sees a school of jack crevalle rolling through, followed by a giant barracuda chasing them. Then, a spinner shark swims right by him, not 10 feet away.
While he doesn’t hook the shark or the barracuda, the encounters add to the wild, up-close nature of this beach adventure. It’s not just about the fish you catch—it’s about everything you see and experience when you fish this way.
🌊 Tactics & Gear for Successful Sight Fishing
Let’s break down what made this trip successful:
✅ Tactics
- Polarized sunglasses were key to spotting fish early.
- Rich took his time, walking slowly, scanning for movement or shadows.
- He adjusted presentation based on species—fast retrieves for snook, slow drops for sheep’s head, and soft landings for redfish.
✅ Gear
- Salt Strong Prawn: A soft plastic that mimics shrimp, rigged weedless for rocky areas.
- Live Crabs: Sheep’s head candy.
- Fly Rod: A fun challenge when the fish are cruising slowly.
- Spinning Reel Setup: Visser #4 paired with a 7’6” Dark Matter rod and 15 lb braid—strong enough for reds and snook, light enough for finesse.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Why Sight Fishing Is Worth the Walk
“Some of the best casts come after the longest walks.” That was certainly the case here.
From biking down the beach to releasing the final redfish of the day, this trip had it all—clear water, tons of action, and fish caught with skill, not luck. The beauty of sight casting is that it puts the angler in total control. You see the fish. You make the cast. You make it happen.
Whether you’re a seasoned saltwater pro or just someone dreaming of fishing the flats, there’s something special about stalking your fish in skinny water. It’s not just about the catch—it’s about the chase.
Until next time—live to fish, and fish to have.
SOUTH FlORIDA SURF SIGHT FISHING w/ Crabs and Shrimp Lures For Redfish, Snook, and Sheepshead!!!