What Money Bayou offers and when to fish it

Money Bayou is a shallow, grass-lined system just east of Port St. Joe that holds redfish and spotted seatrout year-round, with the best action from late spring through early fall. The bayou runs narrow and winding through salt marsh, rarely deeper than 4 feet, and the bottom is mostly soft mud and seagrass — ideal habitat for reds hunting in the shallows and trout holding along the grass edges. You can reach it by boat from Port St. Joe in about 15 minutes, or wade in from the public access points if you're willing to walk the flats.

The water here is clearer than in the main bay during calm conditions, which means sight-casting is possible on sunny mornings when the light is right. Tides matter more in Money Bayou than in deeper water — the bayou drains almost completely on a low spring tide, so plan your trip around the incoming or high tide if you want to stay mobile. Redfish will be feeding hard on the rising tide, pushing into the shallowest grass to hunt mullet and shrimp.

Key Takeaways

  • Money Bayou holds redfish and spotted seatrout in water shallower than 4 feet, with the strongest fishing from May through September.
  • Fish the incoming or high tide to keep enough water under your boat; the bayou drains significantly on low tide and becomes difficult to navigate.
  • Sight-casting to tailing redfish in the grass is the primary method, using small topwater plugs, soft plastics, or live shrimp.
  • Public access exists at several points around Port St. Joe, and you can reach Money Bayou by skiff or wade from the flats in 15 minutes.

Redfish in the shallow grass

Redfish in Money Bayou spend most of their time in 1 to 3 feet of water, rooting through the seagrass for crustaceans and small baitfish. They're most visible and most catchable on the rising tide, when they move shallow to feed. Look for tailing fish — their tail breaking the surface as they tip forward to dig in the mud — or nervous water where a school is moving through the grass. A single redfish can stir up a cloud of mud that's visible from 50 yards away on a clear day.

Cast ahead of moving fish and let your lure or bait settle. Redfish here are not aggressive chasers; they're methodical feeders, and a fly or soft plastic that lands quietly and stays in the strike zone longer will draw more bites than something that splashes and spooks them. Small topwater plugs work well early in the morning when the water is calm, but soft plastics rigged on a 1/8-ounce jig head are more reliable throughout the day because they stay in the grass and don't hang up as easily.

Spotted seatrout along the edges

Trout in Money Bayou are not as shallow as the redfish, but they're not deep either. They hold along the hard edges where the grass meets open water, usually in 2 to 3 feet, and they hunt the same small mullet and shrimp that bring the reds in. Trout are more aggressive than redfish — they'll chase a fleeing baitfish — so faster-moving lures work better. Small silver spoons, shad-pattern soft plastics, and live shrimp under a popping cork all produce.

The trout bite is steadier than the redfish bite in Money Bayou, meaning you'll catch fish more consistently even if individual fish are smaller. A 16-inch trout is common; a 20-inch fish is a good one. Fish the edges on the falling tide as well as the rising tide, since trout don't need the extreme shallows the way redfish do. Early morning and late afternoon are best, but Money Bayou will produce throughout the day if you're patient and accurate with your casts.

Tackle and lures that work

A 6 to 7-foot medium-power spinning rod with 15 to 20-pound braid is the standard setup for Money Bayou. Braid cuts through the grass better than monofilament and gives you better feel for what's happening on the bottom. A 12 to 16-pound fluorocarbon leader tied to the braid with an Albright knot will reduce visibility without sacrificing strength.

Soft plastics in 3 to 4-inch lengths — pearl, chartreuse, or natural mullet patterns — rigged on 1/8 to 1/4-ounce jig heads are the most versatile choice. Small topwater plugs like the Rapala Skitter Pop or similar work well in calm conditions early in the day. Live shrimp under a popping cork is effective if you want to cover water and don't mind the slower pace. Avoid heavy lures and deep-diving plugs; Money Bayou is too shallow and too grassy for them to be useful.

Tides and timing

Money Bayou is a tide-dependent fishery. On a low spring tide, the bayou drains to a few inches of water in the deepest holes, and navigation becomes nearly impossible. Plan your fishing around the incoming tide or the high slack — the hour or two when the tide has peaked and hasn't started falling yet. The first two hours of the incoming tide are usually the most productive because fish are actively moving and feeding.

Check the tide tables for Port St. Joe before you go. The tide here runs about 2 to 3 feet, which is enough to make a real difference in water depth and fish location. A tide that's too low will leave you poling or wading in inches of water; a tide that's too high will push fish too deep into the grass to sight-cast effectively. The sweet spot is usually the middle of the incoming tide, when there's enough water to move around but the fish are still shallow and feeding.

Getting there and access points

Money Bayou is accessible from several public boat ramps around Port St. Joe. The most direct route is from the Port St. Joe public ramp on the north side of town, which puts you in the main bay with a short run east to the bayou entrance. From there, follow the deeper channel into the bayou — it's marked by deeper water and slightly darker color — and you'll find the flats and grass beds within a few minutes.

If you don't have a boat, you can wade into Money Bayou from the flats on the eastern side of Port St. Joe. Park at one of the public access areas and walk out onto the flats at high tide. The walk can be a quarter-mile or more depending on where you start, so wear good wading shoes and bring a push pole or wading staff to feel your way. Wading gives you a slower, quieter approach and often produces better sight-casting opportunities than fishing from a boat.

Seasonal patterns and what changes

Money Bayou fishes best from May through September, when water temperatures are warm and baitfish are abundant. Winter fishing is possible but slower; redfish and trout move deeper and feed less aggressively. Spring (March through April) can be good as water warms and fish begin moving into the shallows. Fall (October through November) is solid until the water cools below 60 degrees, at which point the bite slows noticeably.

Summer heat can actually improve the fishing in Money Bayou because the shallow water warms quickly and keeps baitfish concentrated. Mullet spawning runs in late summer bring aggressive feeding from both redfish and trout. If you're planning a trip, late July through August is often the most reliable time to find active fish, though the heat and bugs are at their worst then. Early morning and late afternoon trips will keep you more comfortable and often produce better than midday fishing anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish Money Bayou at low tide?

You can, but it's difficult. The bayou drains significantly on low tide, leaving only a few inches of water in most areas. If you're wading, low tide gives you access to flats that are underwater at high tide, but you'll be walking in mud more than fishing. If you're in a boat, you'll spend more time poling than casting. Plan your trip for the incoming or high tide for the best experience.

What's the difference between fishing Money Bayou and the main bay near Port St. Joe?

Money Bayou is shallower, narrower, and more grass-filled than the main bay. The main bay has deeper holes and more open water, which means bigger fish and different tactics. Money Bayou is better for sight-casting and shallow-water techniques; the main bay is better if you want to cover more water and fish deeper structure.

Do I need a guide to fish Money Bayou?

No, but a guide can save you time and show you the best spots faster than you'd find them on your own. The bayou is not complicated, and the fish are not hard to locate if you understand tides and grass habitat. If you're comfortable reading water and have fished shallow flats before, you can do it solo.

What size fish should I expect?

Redfish in Money Bayou run 18 to 28 inches on average, with occasional fish over 30 inches. Trout are smaller, usually 14 to 20 inches. The bayou is not known for trophy fish, but it's reliable for steady action and plenty of shots at good fish.

Is Money Bayou crowded?

Not compared to the main bay near Port St. Joe. It's a smaller system, so you'll see fewer boats, especially if you fish on weekdays or early in the morning. Weekends and midday can bring more traffic, but it's still less crowded than the popular spots closer to town.