Live shrimp work well for catching redfish… and just about every shallow water fish. 4. I don’t recommend using bait that has been frozen for fishing. You just have to make sure that you have a shorter leader coming off the cork. In fact, finger mullet are such an effective bait that many fishermen refer to them as fish candy, which really speaks to the effectiveness of it. Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus) also known as Red Drum, Puppy Drum, Channel Bass, spottail bass, and red; are one of the most popular saltwater game fish species. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This depends on the area you’re fishing. You really should use cut bait that you collected that day, which means that you will still have to spend some time fishing for bait before you head out. That something may or may not catch a redfish, though. Unfortunately, lures are a bit more complicated. You have entered an incorrect email address! What’s your favorite lure this time of year? The Alabama Leprechauns do have a dark green base, but it looks much lighter when out in the sun. Your success catching redfish mostly comes down to your fishing skill. With that in mind, I have had great success using white lures and Arkansas glow for redfish in murkier water. As we mentioned earlier, we’re splitting up our recommended redfish rigs into three categories. Major manufacturers promote chartreuse, yellow, green, white, and other bright colors. I’ll also answer some of the most common questions about the different types of baits used for redfish. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In fact, redfish really like squid. Our bait shops mostly stop flying their shrimp flags and hang out their mullet and mud minnow flags. Create memories that matter through fishing, Email: fish@saltstrong.comToll-free: (855)888-6494130 W. Central Ave, Winter Haven, FL 33880. The other time to use a paddletail for winter redfish is if the water on the flats is dirty. They do like to school on the flats, though. Click here to join us in the Insider Club! You’ll find details on each below! You should only fish live blue crabs if they’re small, though. Not sure why things would be different in Florida, but here in south Texas shrimp aren’t the primary food source in winter. That hook is a custom hook that we should have available soon (early February). I really liked how you summed things up toward the end. If you use shrimp that has been frozen, then you will only get one or two casts before the shrimp falls apart. My personal favorite swimbait is the Calcutta Flashfoil Shad. The main benefit is that you can now use lures that dive and move around on their own. #4 Squid There’s no one perfect lure for every scenario…. The Best Rigs. The 1/16 oz. This rig works well for many species, including the redfish’s close: the black drum. I definitely recommend adding a diving crankbait to your tackle box if you fish for redfish in deeper water or jetties. It requires some very skillful casting to not get hung up, but it’s worth it because you’re almost guaranteed to catch something when using live shrimp near the mangroves. Many people wonder how effective color selection is when walleye fishing. So in this video, you’re going to see my top three favorite lures for winter redfish and when I like to use them. Stay tuned! If it’s too long, then you will drag the lure through the grass. I prefer using soft plastic shrimp in shallow water. It’s weedless and has great movement. Shrimp lures are great all around winter lures. Sign up for FREE to receive the latest saltwater fishing videos, tutorials, product reviews, and fishing product discounts! Everyone knows that a simple gold spoon is a redfish staple, and for good reason. 172. Don’t let that scare you off, live shrimp is still an amazing bait. I’m also enjoying your fishing videos. I know Gulp is annoying to use, but it really does work great for redfish. But, despite this information, I still use a fairly small selection of lure colors. I actually really like using cut bait for one reason: You don’t have to worry about live wells or anything. Want access to our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store? This works great for when you inevitably run out of Gulp. The best part about diving crankbaits? Dead shrimp actually make pretty good catfish bait, but there is a method to using them as bait. This section will cover the types of lures that work best. I got my Alabama Leprechauns the other day. Fluorescent colors work best during overcast conditions, and periods of low light or low water visibility (when the water is less than crystal clear). Diving crankbaits actually float. On the other hand, if you’re fishing crystal clear Florida water, then you need a hyper-realistic looking lure or a spoon. Click the lure to see other colors. I’ll even suggest a few lures that have worked well for me. It’s also fairly cheap and hardy. 10 Best Redfish Lures Subsurface Redfish Lures. The lures will move along grass shorelines or bayou edges, that make Louisiana’s aggressive redfish explode and hunt your lure. I’ve found that gold spoons and white spoons work best for redfish. When fishing docks, rig your paddletail on a jig head to get it down to the bottom quickly. We are going to breakdown if walleye have color vision, but first, let me state that there is a LOT of misinformation out there regarding walleye and lure color. Most beginner fishermen are better off using bait of some sort – it’s just a little more versatile than lures. P.S. BTW my first trip out (about ten days ago) we caught a bunch of reds and specks, but mostly small ones. Something in the 5-inch range should work well for a bull redfish. Do you have any suggestions about where the most productive fishing locations are? First, Berkley Gulp combined with a jighead of the appropriate weight will work great for redfish. Click here to get these lures from our shop: Sight fishing clear, shallow flats is one of my favorite ways to target redfish. The second all-time greatest redfish lure has to be the ¼-ounce Johnson Silver Minnow spoon in gold or... Soft Plastic Shrimp. While it does come in silver and other finishes, gold is the more productive color for redfish. Anglers often wonder what lure color is best for Redfish. Good job. Popping corks aren’t a type of lure per se, but they do provide some good action on soft plastics. However, there are definitely some baits that redfish really prefer, which I will cover in great detail in this section. For dark or stained water you want to go with a bright presentation that is more solid so they are able to find it more easily and it contrasts the dark water. You obviously want to use a weedless spoon if fishing on a grass flat. Can’t wait for the rain to stop in SC so I can get out there! Are you interested in catching redfish, but don’t know what bait or lures to use? I’ll also add that popping lures are awesome because redfish won’t tear them apart the same way they tear apart soft plastics. Learn how your comment data is processed. You only need a bigger hook when using bigger bait. If you’re fishing deeper docks or dirty water, it’s tough to beat a 3-4″ paddletail. Like many productive saltwater fishing lures, the Johnson Silver minnow spoon started out as a largemouth bass lure. Thank you for the kind words Sam! In my experience, redfish don’t like to hit silver spoons. I can’t understate how much redfish love crabs. Simply put: Finger mullet are the best live bait for catching redfish. A live shrimp under a popping cork was central to my boyhood redfish indoctrination, and the place was... 2) Crab. Of course, results may vary depending on the area. The redfish are often the first fish to hit the flats when the tide changes from dead low to incoming. If you’re fishing deep or going for under low-light areas, using darker hues like blue, violet, and black are the ideal color choices. No splash means no spooked redfish. Fishing for redfish in deep water gives you a few more options when it comes to the type of lures that you can use. Now, redfish are bottom feeders. The good thing with fishing for redfish is that they eat just about any moving fish or crustaceans that will fit in their mouth. Ordinarily my answer would be fairly complex and enternain many variables, but if I had to be stranded on an island with just one lure to use, I would choose a gold spoon. They’re also one of the best lures for fan casting in order to cover a ton of water to find fish. You do have to use a properly sized mullet, though. But it will work if you can spot cast towards some tailing redfish. Simply rip off the back leg and hook it through the leg hole. Fluorescent colors help the lure pop out from it’s surroundings, allowing the fish to better observe it’s size, shape and action. For those, simply cut them in half. Fluorescent Fishing Lures. For this setup, I like the Alabama Leprechaun rigged on an Owner TwistLock hook. In this guide, I will show you the best lures, baits, and tactics that will allow for a more productive time when trout fishing. My favorite lure for redfish is simply a golden or white spoon. If you’re sight fishing the flats, go with a jerk shad. Ideal for redfish and speckled trout, Cadence CR5 features a full grip … You can let it sink and retrieve it through the water, but it does best going across the top of the water like a buzz bait. The redfish will hit the flats and oyster bars to get first dibs on the shrimp, crabs and … However, they work surprisingly well for catching redfish. The best thing about a setup like this is that I can speed the retrieve up or slow it down, and even bounce the craw across the bottom. In my experience, the best color is the one that you are using. Simply put a shrimp on a 3/0 circle hook with a small split shot. Simply cut a big chunk of mullet, put it on a 3/0 circle hook with a bobber, and cast it out. At some point, you should consider the size of the topwater lures. The lures used in shallow water (under 5 feet deep) are generally lures that move on the top of the water column. You simply have to choose the best lure based on the area you are fishing. I recommend mullet in the 10 to 12 inch range. The redfish aren’t biting your artificials. I also recommend using a bigger pinfish as cut bait. The best lure to catch a flounder around a dock is the Gulp Swimming Mullet. Hey Joe! It really isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Most of the time, it really depends on the conditions where you’re wetting the line. Let it sink to the bottom and reel it back to you extremely slow. Redfish usually won’t eat those gigantic blue crabs that you sometimes find on the flats. One more thing, they’re much easier to cast. I didn’t get a chance to see them on the sunlight before posting. I can’t overstate this: you should try to always use a 3/0 circle hook when going for redfish. And they’re especially deadly rigged on a jig head when fishing sandy or muddy bottom because bouncing it off the bottom plumes up the sand and mud, which sends a clear signal to the fish where an easy meal is. Joe and Luke had a video recently discussing the Power Prawn. But in these conditions the fish are extra spooky, so you need a lure that won’t scare them off. Bait them on a jighead the same way you would rig a soft plastic. I am considering moving to the west coast of Florida. The pros redfish anglers explain that the best option for Lousiana’s redfish is the medium size one with two treble hooks. I’ll use it if I find tailing redfish just to help get their attention a little better when they’re nose is in the mud and grass. Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land). Please me a pic of the ones you got whenever you get a chance: Luke@saltstrong.com. If that doesn’t work, then a Gulp shrimp will usually work fine. This lure is great for fishing areas with heavy grass. The colors and conditions he recommended were: For bright, sunny skies and clear water use, he recommended white, silver or gold. This is because practically no one uses them to go for redfish. Finally, an assortment of soft plastic swimbaits. Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish ever trip, Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area, Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else. #9 Zara Spook I really like using them on oyster beds or on huge grass flats. However, the lures I’ve highlighted today have been popular among inshore redfish anglers for years, and with good reason. When I’m fishing paddletails on the flats, I like to use a weighted hook. Trust me, it happens to everyone. This is one of the best lures ever made! Don’t worry, it’s a lot easier than it looks. My favorite place to use live shrimp is within about 2 feet of the mangroves. If you are fishing in deeper water, then the Egret Baits Vudu Mullet works great. For pricing I used large online tackle retailers such as Tackle Direct, Bass Pro, Melton and Cabela’s. Because I’m primarily sight fishing, I rarely utilize a cork and prefer to fish soft plastics on a lightweight jig head. Blue crabs are available at most coastal bait... 3) Weedless Spoon. Lure color selection is dependent on water and weather conditions. You just can’t do this with gold spoons. Everyone is fishing the same steam and yet some people are catching more trout than others. But in these conditions the fish are extra spooky, so you need a lure that won’t scare them off. To answer the obvious question, you can use a popping cork in shallow water. So I like to use a larger shrimp lure in the 3-5″ range. Pursuing Outdoors LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. St Pete and Tampa are great areas along with the areas just north of there around Palm Harbor can be ideal. This site is owned and operated by Pursuing Outdoors LLC. For instance, if a cold front comes through and rain brings a lot of runoff into the flats or wind churns up the water, then the fish will have trouble seeing a jerk shad. Thanks for the information. The reason a jig head is better than a weighted hook here is that the jig head is front weighted, which makes it dive down quicker. Pinfish and grunts are another excellent live bait for redfish. Get a couple neutral colors like olive green, brown and black and also get a couple bright colored soft plastics to use if the bite is slow. Finally, wherever you go, redfish like the color gold. And yes, you can use blue crabs as live bait. If you want to have a good chance of getting a good haul, using these colored baits would certainly give you higher chances. Those two rigs allow you to use live shrimp pretty much anywhere. Whether you’re fishing deep docks or clear, shallow flats, redfish have a tough time saying no to a shrimp lure. Period. If you get one soft plastic, get this one. They are slightly less effective than finger mullet, but it’s much easier to catch pinfish and grunts than it is to catch finger mullet. Trout, mangrove snapper, black drum, flounder, snook, and ladyfish will also hit your shrimp, which is why I don’t really recommend live shrimp if you want to catch redfish. This makes it so much easier to get unstuck from any debris or structure, which is convenient because diving crankbaits work well for jetty fishing. Rapala Saltwater Skitter Walk (Topwater) $11.49 Sport Fishing Magazine. And winter is the best time of year to do that because the water is the clearest. It always surprises fishermen when they find out they can use squid to go for redfish. Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip, 130 W. Central Ave, Winter Haven, FL, 33880. Have any questions about which lures to use for redfish in the winter? And then you’ve got the shrimp lure, which can be effective in either scenario. I recommend using dead shrimp in two scenarios: Other than those two scenarios, you’re much better off with using a live shrimp as bait. Best Lure Color For Murky Water. Unfortunately, catching finger mullet is a little bit of a challenge because you must cast net them. Tony, Thanks again for a great video. Fishing for Redfish. Topwater baits are one of the best lures for finding fish, but not necessarily catching fish, especially redfish,” Murphy explained. Several color versions are available. If it’s rocky, then use a bobber. Yes, doing that actually works. Seriously, most of the redfish that I filet have crab parts in their stomach. Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join: Save 30% And Put An End To Your Monthly Charges. I recommend using the soft plastic shrimps as the day heats up and the redfish move further down the water column. Just make sure to rip off the claws before starting. But sometimes the redfish just don’t want to hit the shrimp, which means that you need to pull out the swimbaits that imitate baitfish. My recommendation is a simple popping lure, such as the Mirrolure C-Eye Poppa, for those situations. But depending on the depth, water clarity, and what the fish are currently feeding on, there are some lures that’ll definitely work better than others. They’re much darker than the green ones in the video. It comes with the power prawns as a bundle along with 2 heavier ones.