Fishbone Creek Landing, Horseshoe Beach Fishing

Fishbone Creek Landing is a primitive refuge access on a brackish tidal creek that feeds Horseshoe Cove, one of the better redfish and trout areas on the Dixie County coast. It rewards anglers willing to travel light, wade carefully and time the tide.

• Bank fishing on the creek beside the ramp, and wading on the cove's shell bars at low tide
• Redfish and spotted seatrout are the main targets
• Free, quiet, and far from the crowds
• No restrooms or services nearby

The landing is in Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, southwest of the town of Horseshoe Beach, reached by 800th Road off the county road. The US Fish and Wildlife Service manages the refuge.

• The ramp is a single sand lane, free to use
• Parking is very limited, about six spaces according to a ramp directory, so arrive early
• The ramp is meant for small boats and kayaks
• Surfaces are sand and mud; expect a short, soft walk to the water
• Hours are not confirmed here, so plan on daylight and check the refuge before you go

Redfish and spotted seatrout hold on the creek edges and the cove's oyster bars all year.

• Spring (Mar-May): trout and redfish on the flats and bars, flounder in the creek mouth
• Summer (Jun-Aug): early and late bites for redfish and trout, with ladyfish and jacks, and heavy afternoon storms
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the best redfish month, with schools working the bars on higher tides
• Winter (Dec-Feb): trout in the creek holes on warm afternoons, plus black drum and sheepshead

Light spinning tackle is all you need on the creek and cove.

• Wading anglers cast a 3-inch soft-plastic shrimp on a light jig head up-tide and retrieve it slowly with an occasional twitch
• Live shrimp under a popping cork works on the creek bank for trout and redfish
• Cut mullet or crab on the bottom suits black drum and big reds
• Use 8 to 12 lb line with a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader; the oyster shell cuts braid and light mono
• Bring bait; the refuge is not a place to collect it

The Big Bend has two uneven highs and lows on most days, and the creek and cove drain a long way.

• A falling tide exposes the oyster and shell bars and concentrates fish at the creek mouth
• High water pushes redfish into the grass; fish the edges
• Many nearby creeks go nearly dry at low tide; know when the water turns before you wade out
• The water is brackish and shifts with rain; after heavy rain, clarity and the bite change for a few days
• Calm, clear mornings are best

This is a remote, undeveloped edge of the refuge, so plan like a backcountry trip.

• Shell bars are sharp and the mud can be soft; wear wading boots and shuffle your feet for stingrays
• Watch the tide so you are not stranded on a bar
• Lightning is a real danger on summer afternoons, with little cover
• Biting insects are heavy in warm months
• Cell service can be spotty; tell someone your plan
• Access is by a sand ramp and foot only, not wheelchair friendly

There is very little here, and that is part of the appeal.

• A free sand boat ramp and a small parking area
• No restrooms nearby, according to the ramp directory
• No bait shop, food or water; buy bait and supplies in Horseshoe Beach before you drive out
• Carry out all trash

• Arrive early; with only a few parking spaces, the lot fills quickly on a good tide
• Time your visit to a falling tide and be on the bars at the start of the ebb
• A 3-inch soft-plastic shrimp is the local favorite for wading trout and reds
• Fall is the best time for redfish; winter afternoons for trout
• Pack insect repellent, water and sun protection
• Shired Island Park, a few miles north, is the alternative if the lot is full

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which says bank fishing is available on its tidal creeks and the Gulf.

• Refuge rules apply; check with the refuge for hours and any area closures
• Do not collect bait or dig in the refuge
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything
• Redfish and spotted seatrout have their own rules; check FWC before keeping any