Oysters are economically, ecologically, and culturally important, but their populations remain at historic lows despite significant efforts in conservation and restoration. In Alabama, oyster recruitment is low, and traditional cultch planting is routinely insufficient to rebuild oyster populations. Remote setting may provide a path forward, but it is laborious and costly and may also fail when newly planted oysters are rapidly consumed by predators or lost through improper placement in unsuitable conditions. Through a series of experiments, we have found that oyster restoration by remote setting can be improved by selecting appropriate tidal elevations for restoration, using shade to protect oysters from heat waves, and exposing newly settled oysters to predator exudates to encourage them to harden their shells. These findings are applicable to many areas in the Gulf and can lead to new approaches to improve oyster restoration.