best gulp bait for redfish

I use a plastic jig preferably 4″ paddle tail quarter ounce head fluorocarbon leader. All this general advice is great, but what’s it got to do with your bait choice? With that in mind, we’re breaking down the six best Redfish bait choices out there. Pick the ­structure that fits your favorite style of fishing, or target new waters that have gone unexplored. Spoons? Anglers often wade those hard bottom flats at high tide. Get them to the boat as quickly as possible and revive them well before releasing them. The best retrieve is usually an erratic one with a pause in between. More importantly, Redfish almost never ignore them. I usually only use two baits when fishing docks, the popping cork around the edges to try and pull fish out, and a Gulp Swimming Mullet on a jig head pitched under the dock and slowly pulled out to imitate an escaping baitfish. The bait floats at rest that dives down several feet upon retrieve. Sep 10, 2018. Cut mullet is by far the best Redfish bait, according to popular vote. My favorite Gulp shrimp: I like Berkley Gulp shrimp in two colors: New Penny and Sugar and Spice Glow. Inshore, shallow water fish can be caught where you find them. Replied on August 18, 2020 “I use artificials at night,” Dobson says. You’ve got to consider everything about the water you’re fishing in when you make your choice. A Guide to Properly Baiting Spotted Sea Trout, Fishing Tips for Catching Mangrove (Grey) Snapper. Reds - and other fish - will move onto these flats looking for an easy feed. This means being in the ocean and fishing just off the beach, so it will have to be a good calm day for most anglers. The bait is available in several color patterns. Don’t use the tail fin as it can tangle your line. The bright and eye-catching Clown color pattern and the Pearl-and-chartreuse color pattern are the best for targeting reds. Redfish will be following these schools, staying on the bottom, just meandering along and feeding at will. We’ve found the Berkely Gulp Shad to work best when combined with a Berkely Fusion19 Jig Head. Small crabs and other crustaceans love to roam mud and grass flats at high tide. This is a shallow diving jerk bait that is very effective on redfish as well as other species. Thanks again for sharing, and tight lines out there! South Padre Island Fishing: The Complete Guid... © 2019 FishingBooker.com. Thanks for getting in touch. These baits range from topwater to deep diving baits, from plugs to jigs. A simple spinning rod and reel setup is fine. The reds like to actively swim with and against the current using their highly evolved olfactory systems to find food so it is best to present the bait from up current but it is not absolutely necessary. The Berkley Gulp Saltwater Jerk Shad is #1 in my book, (even better than the Shrimp).Redfish go APE for these things! The deep water fish should be left alone. -#2 Six inch chartreuse Jerkshad This also is going to be a great flounder lure as well as redfish, striped bass and bigger speckled trout. But - you may find that another bait works just as well. Depending on the size of carp you’re trying to catch we recommend various sizes of tackle. My recent conversation with William zeroed in on the best live bait for redfish on the Gulf coast, for him. Redfish will be following these schools, staying on the bottom, just meandering along and feeding at will. These are our favorite baits when taking on Redfish, but there are a lot more out there. Jan 25, 2021. If we had to pick one, we’d say go for gold, because its much more likely to attract a Red’s attention. If I can get the bait within 10 yards uptide of the redfish, he will eventually pick up on the fresh crab scent and find it. Hey, if it works – it works! PLEASE use tackle large enough to bring these fish to the boat quickly. Large finger mullet (6+ inches) is the best for the truly large speckled trout. But we’ll definitely give it a go – we’re always open to trying out new tactics! It stands to reason – all the lures are meant to mimic baitfish. Live crab are hands down one of the best baits for catching Bull Reds. The best live baits for dock fishing for redfish are shrimp, white baits, pin fish and finger mullet. Redfish love structure for everything from protection to an ambush point and docks offer them just that. I’m glad you found your go-to bait, though. Anchor up in the path of oncoming bait and wait for the bite. Thanks for sharing, that’s definitely worth trying out. Gulp scented baits work very well for red drum because they primarily feed using their sense of smell. If you’re fishing grassy waters, you will need to retrieve the lures fast to avoid them getting stuck. If you’ve got Drum in your sights, we want to make sure you really fill the boat. Redfish love them plus they are hardier than most any other live bait. They do like to school on the flats, though. Redfish are among the most popular fish in the country. What we discussed were live shrimp, live pinfish and live mud minnows. Replied on February 10, 2021 Gold or silver? Similarly to squid, shrimp are a widely available bait option. Latest. On the other hand, they don’t make such long runs after taking the bait, and they aren’t fussy eaters either. Bait. This causes vibrations below the water surface. Live crab are hands down one of the best baits for catching Bull Reds. While Prochnow and Jones solved the problem for fishermen unable to find quality live or frozen bait, it’s been up to anglers to discover how to best store these game-changing lures. Replied on September 10, 2018 As the tide turns, they move their boats and position them selves to ambush reds and other fish coming of the flats. When fishing muddy waters, it’s difficult to spot the fish, but it’s also difficult for the fish to spot the bait. This is a 3¾-inch tube that tapers to a pointed tail. The key to catching redfish during this time is to realize that the reds are moving right along with them. The truth is that the best bait for redfish can change from day to day and from season to season. This will not only prevent line twists, but also hide your brightly colored main line. If you’re using longer strips, make sure to wind them around the hook a few times so they don’t dangle too much. A number of factors will affect your success. Soft plastics rigged on weighted hooks or worm hooks; Weedless spoons; Hard plastic twitch baits; Topwater lures; Deep Water Lures for Redfish. Why Do I … Ladyfish plugs have been really good for me. These lures also work for clear waters as you can position them as you like, even near the bottom. If you’re targeting smaller Reds, you can also use smaller pieces, but you’ll probably need to take the shell off. They feed all over these flats while the water is high. This bait … Number three on the list of best redfish lures that Capt. Their swim bladders expand and cause internal injuries, even with venting. So - it becomes a matter of preference and of matching the feed that is currently happening. As its name implies, it is one of the most consistent lures for catching redfish. It’s always good to match the bait that’s naturally abundant at the time. But, other anglers use a different lure in the same situation and are just as successful. You have to think about the tide, time of the year, terrain, technique, and of course, or whether it’s live or artificial bait you’re using. Hardcore redfish anglers count these simple, unimpressive appearing chunks of metal because they not only produce large numbers of fish but big toads as well. The trick is to keep the shrimp alive and healthy as long as possible so that they can keep moving in the water and the fish can spot them. Six Inch Chartreuse Jerkshad Mostly surf fishing. Thanks, Gwen. Anglers often wonder what lure color is best for Redfish. Redfish can develop different tastes in different areas, so they might not go for the same bait wherever you go. Best GULP Bait for Snook, Redfish, Speckled Trout and Flounder Berkely Summer is the time that shrimp migrate into estuaries to spawn. The Best Camping Coffee Makers. For green water, which is prevalent during windows of light winds and good tidal movement during the summer, his favorite was chartreuse. A survey by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that nearly 30% of charters run in the Gulf of Mexico target them. If the water is could, they will be in a deeper hole in a creek. They rely on their sense of smell and sight, and forage the sea floor in search of food. Unfortunately, catching finger mullet is a little bit of a challenge because you must cast net them. For more experienced anglers, artificial baits are the weapon of choice. Big fish like this one light tackle may be fun, and they may fight for a long time, but they will literally fight themselves to death. There will generally be a ledge on a channel there and the reds will be running that ledge or channel edge. As a rule of thumb, if you’re looking for a live bait choice, use what’s in the water you’re fishing. Good read! Gear. Not quite. Larger Redfish love eating crab and because they have decently large mouths, they can gulp a whole crab without a problem. Which is your favorite out of our picks? By David A. This specific lure shines brightest when bouncing it around drop offs. Dragging them to the surface just kills them because of the pressure difference. So the best bait here would be a live pogie or a small live mullet, fished on the bottom underneath the baitfish schools. Aug 15, 2020. From what we’ve seen, Reds will rarely say no to a nice mullet during this time. Lures like bait busters have a medium sink rate, so you will have enough time to present the bait properly. The fish move near the bottom sucking in and gulping the food they find. This bait will prove pretty successful, more so if you manage to get fresh mullet and cut it up. As Reds stay close to the bottom when eating, you need to have something to draw their attention. bait will attract the redfish and with the right movement when the redfish comes to your bait it will gulp it up! Shrimp will be the easiest to get, as your local bait shop will have them. What we have outlined here will work for you. As always fresher baits are often the best bait for surf fishing, even live if you can get it. Not only are they hardy, mud minnows are pretty abundant bait fish, and they’re easy to rig, too. Honestly, I pretty much only use New Penny these days, but will try the lighter color of Sugar and Spice Glow if I feel the fish want it. Larger Redfish love eating crab and because they have decently large mouths, they can gulp a whole crab without a problem. Most would agree that the best part about catching flounder are the sweet, succulent fillets these peculiar fish … The Strike King Redfish Magic is the best of all worlds for targeting redfish. You did a great job in explaining how to choose the best bait for Reds, Because I normally lose interest, but Ive learned a lot, Now fish on. This means if you find one, then you’ll find a few hundred more with them. This question comes up in almost any conversation about redfish and how to catch them.. In many cases, a moving bait is most natural to redfish used to seeing food flee. If you’re using braid, we’d also advise adding a mono leader. They’re tasty, they strike hard when hooked, and can grow ridiculously big. Feb 11, 2021. The gold spoon is one of the most popular, dare I say one of the all-time top three, lures for redfish. Spoons can be a great option for Redfish, especially if you’re fishing grassy waters. Frozen mullet can also work, but it’s risky business as the frozen flesh will turn mushy in the water and might fall off the hook. Soft plastics rigged on jig heads (weighted properly for target depth) Bucktail Jigs; Swimbaits; Diving plugs; But the truth is that 90% of fish hold in 10% of the water… I enjoyed it! In warmer months, go with live whitebait. 9. To target bull Reds, use mullet head. Squid is a go-to bait for many predatory fish, and Redfish sure are one of them. This means you will want to present the bait so that the fish can find it. Jerk- or twitchbaits are reaction lures that are very good at getting the attention of prowling redfish. Mullet, menhaden, mud minnows, killifish, pilchards, pinfish and similar inshore species are all highly effective when trolled behind a boat, says Jacksonville, Florida, angler and guide Danny Patrick. work well for some species like “bull” redfish, drum, bluefish and even ground mullet (but not so much for pompano and whiting). The best part of fishing for redfish is that you can find them just about anywhere. On Florida’s Atlantic coast, for example, mullet tend to swarm the shallows between September and October. Did somebody say fish fry? We’ve put all of that together and picked the best bait for every situation: If you’re fishing the skinny waters, particularly around the Mosquito Lagoon or flats, you can deploy topwater jigs to get a nice Redfish to bite. From live bait to dead bait to artificial bait, the decision on what to use has to be made intelligently. Jim likes is the Rapala X-Rap Extreme Action Slashbait. So, when spring is near and the water begins to warm, they begin to move north up the coasts - in the US that's the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts. Overcast skies or light drizzle, he recommended bright colors such as red, green or strawberry. I believe that puts the best bait in the fall as a live crab or piece of a live crab. These are baits that work all year. 10 Best Redfish Baits & Lures Right Now 1) Shrimp. My favorite is a three-inch GULP in natural color.” Dobson continues. Fishing for Redfish this way is more demanding and can be a blast. There are a hundred and one ways to get a Red to bite, but the key is to adapt to the conditions. Put your bait on the bottom and hang on! The squid pictured in the article is actually an octopus; for what it’s worth. Live shrimp are good but almost anything swimming hits them, plus they are delicate and don’t last more than a few casts. Best Tackle for Carp. Redfish can be caught on a variety of bait. Definitely I am going to try your advice. Rigged with a 5/0 offset … I have tried crab with and without legs and never had to much luck, so back to the mullet I went and that’s where I have stayed! Simply hook the bait through the lips or near the dorsal fin. Hmm i prefer the small blue crab alive and moving…the crab triggers an aggressive bite….ive used dead mullet and the reds refuse to ever glance at it let alone eat it…live blue crabs with all legs attached is hands down unquestionably the best for reds,snook,and black drum, Replied on November 24, 2020 Here are my top four fall redfish fishing lures & me showing you how to rig Gulp shrimp on a Mission Fishin jig head. “Sometimes I hop it, but usually I just pull it slowly through the light. Crawfish can be a great bait for Redfish. Hunting. As my dad always said - that's why they call it "fishing" and not "catching"! Live shrimp work as a nice supplement when there are no croakers or menhaden around, but the only problem is that the smaller pesky fish can peck them away or unhook them. The Gulp offerings must be stored in their liquid attractant, and the baits benefit from an occasional “recharge” in this solution while fishing. And chunks of fresh cut fish such as mullet, menhaden, croaker, etc. That means that the reds will be carried in as well. Using these baitfish is fairly easy. Oct 15, 2020. Thanks for letting us know! The best rig we’ve used for fishing for redfish from your boat is a Jerk Shad rig. The bait of preference for these big fish is a. May 22, 2015 - An article from Florida Sportsman about the best baits for redfish on the flats. Luckily, Red Drum aren’t choosy. Mullet works as an excellent bait choice in a variety of waters. For bait, try to match what the fish are naturally feeding on. Be aware that as the baitfish reach an inlet coming in from the ocean or gulf, the tide will carry them right on in the inlet. All rights reserved. So the best bait here would be a live pogie or a small live mullet, fished on the bottom underneath the baitfish schools. Best Baits: 15 Hottest Lures for Panfish. Use a 2 to 3 foot long monofilament leader and tie a quarter to one half ounce jig head on to one end with a snap swivel on the other end. Simply put: Finger mullet are the best live bait for catching redfish. Drop a Berkley Gulp Shrimp on a redfish’s nose and he is guaranteed to eat. The scent from the Gulp! Replied on August 15, 2020 Thanks again for sharing, and have a great day! I’ve found it best not to set the hook with the crab-and-jig combination. Redfish feed off the bottom. If you can't get live bait - either because you cant throw a. It’s a spinnerbait-style lure that combines the benefits of a soft plastic with those of a gold spoon. This bait is what is known as a twitchbait aka a reaction lure. Particularly effective for Redfish hiding in potholes, plugs with rattles can get you a big guy in no time. Replied on October 15, 2020 Rigging these jerkshad on long shank jig heads, bucktails or swimbait hooks. A live shrimp under a popping cork was central to my boyhood redfish indoctrination, and the place was... 2) Crab. Most of my success has been mullet heads off the Galveston coast. Pogies congregate on the surface, flipping around and moving with the tide. Well, getting Redfish to bite is about more than the food itself. It’s these vibrations that the fish pick up and head for when feeding. I will always grab the mullet and gulp shrimp because they are a natural shape and have a smell that attracts redfish. I’m glad you found it useful! Live pogies or mullet fished under the migrating baitfish schools. Brown. “Live bait will work, but if redfish and speckled trout are around, they will hit a GULP on a jighead. Ron Brooks is an award-winning writer who has written thousands of articles about fishing and published two books. As the water begins to drop, the fish realize the will be caught out of water, and they in turn drop into the surrounding creeks and outflows. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Great article learn a lot thank you so much. But there is … The creeks and rivers hold all forms of crustacean life and small crabs and shrimp become their targets. Replied on January 25, 2021 You can use smaller cuts or whole squid if they’re small enough. In sandy waters, florescent lures and yellow redheads worked well. See how this exact Gulp shrimp rig did for snook and redfish back in a secret lake that is only accessible by kayaks or paddleboards… 100% skipping Gulps under mangroves. The best way to rig your live crab is to take the legs off, and place the hook through one of the leg holes. Some people even like to combine them with spinnerbait. Our logic behind cutting crab legs was that the smaller Reds might just chip away at them without you getting a chance to set the hook. These locations are ideal for catching reds with small crabs, or live shrimp. Blue crabs are available at most coastal bait... 3) Weedless Spoon. I feel that I learned a lot about redfish bait from your post. Best Lures for Redfish. Fishing in Port St. Joe: A Complete Guide, Flats Fishing: A Complete Beginner's Guide, Fishing in Rockport, Texas: What You Need to Know. Here’s how you can combine these factors to make sure you’re always using the best Redfish bait or the most productive lures: Job done? Is there any other topic you’d like us to feature? This gallery is all about the best lures for redfish, and why you need to add them to your tackle box if you want to catch red drum. The great thing about squid is that you can use it as a supplement to lures. Updated: May 21, 2019. What do you think is the best Redfish bait? Plastic swim tails or grubs on jig heads are extremely popular baits. Also a spinnerbait with a gold blade or a gold spoon can work quite well. In cooler months, cut bait or lethargic live bait often works best. Using squid as a trailer on a spoon or jig can work wonders when you’re targeting Redfish. Artificial bait – lures and plugs – are very effective baits for redfish. The same held true for murky waters. Absolutely, using a paddle tail seems like a smart choice. Hi, Jason, thank you for the feedback. Lately, MirrOlure Lil John twitchbaits have come on strong as a top soft plastic for clear flats. Let us know by leaving a quick comment below. Reds follow them, and can be caught as far as 50 miles or more upstream in a saltwater estuary river. So let's look at how we can make that decision. Aug 18, 2020. Rattling plugs are enhanced with a rattling chamber inside which there are metal parts that shake as the bait moves. Read on for more in-depth info on our top 5 bat choices, and when, where, and why each of them work. Catching your own bait in the area you plan on fishing is a very effective way to appeal to the flounder you're trying to catch, but store-bought bait will work well too. More Gone Fishin. Jim likes is the Rapala X-Rap Extreme Action Slashbait. If the water has warmed, the bait fish will move farther into the inlet and tend to stay even as the tide rolls out., The reds will do the same thing, and in these situations, they can be caught with the very same bait. Most of the time, it really depends on the conditions where you’re wetting the line. Guide the hook through the shell of the crab so it’s nice and firm. As far as I’m aware, the only downside is that they can’t survive in saltwater as long as crab. Lots of redfish lures resemble freshwater black bass lures. The bait floats at rest that dives down several feet upon retrieve. Nov 24, 2020. You can freeline baitfish or … How to Choose the Best Redfish Bait: Top 6 Picks, Fishing in Homosassa: Everything You Need to Know. Look for huge schools of mullet moving north along the beaches. To catch redfish from a pier, equip yourself with the proper equipment and bait. Live mud minnows are hard to beat. 19th Century Shotguns: Rise of the Repeaters. The baitfish around the inlets will be resident pogies - those who have decided not to move farther north, and shrimp. You see, its all about the current baitfish populations. Major manufacturers promote chartreuse, yellow, green, white, and other bright colors. Redfish - big redfish - typically spend the colder winter months on. So - best bait in the spring? Number three on the list of best redfish lures that Capt. That should give you the best results, as Redfish will be already accustomed to eating it. Fishing in Rockport, Texas: What You Need to ... South Padre Island Fishing: The Complete Guide. If there are shrimp in the area, there will be redfish as well. Guns. That’s great to hear. I’m glad you liked the article. If you take a look at their head, you will see that Redfish have a downward facing mouth. Redfish of all sizes inhabit brackish creeks, marshes, grass flats, mangroves, oyster beds, bridges, passes and beaches of the Southeastern states. The best way to rig your live crab is to take the legs off, and place the hook through one of the leg holes. Feb 10, 2021, Crawfish has been a go-to bait for me fishing in the lagoon, Here in Central Florida, Replied on February 11, 2021 The best retrieve is usually an erratic one with a pause in between. That’s great to hear. This means being in the ocean and fishing just off the beach, so it will have to be a good calm day for most anglers. Thanks so much for letting us know! A hardy live blue-claw crab is redfish candy in many places. They can be caught on shrimp and small crabs. This makes them perfect for both rookie anglers and pros alike. Thank you for very well done and informative tips. Gulp Shrimp Skip Well Under Mangroves These Gulp shrimp baits skip very well under mangroves and docks when rigged with small jig heads (and even better when rigged weedless). For pricing I used large online tackle retailers such as Tackle Direct, Bass Pro, Melton and Cabela’s. You should either find a good vantage point from which you can spot the fish, or test your luck by blind casting for Redfish near the marshes and other turbid waters. If you’re targeting smaller fish, you can use 2-4 inches of mullet body to attract the fish. As for mullet, it might be down to the season. We’re currently in the process of revamping our older graphics, and will definitely be going over these ones when we do so. A small crab or a big crab with shell pulled off and then broken in half; live small crab is the best being as trash fish for the most part, don’t mess with them!! Shallow Water Lures for Redfish. Once again, if you understand the bait, you will be able to locate the fish. People talk about the mullet being so thick you can walk on them, and in some cases they are so thick it seems like you could. During the summer, reds feed mostly on an outgoing tide, looking for opportunity food. As the sun comes upo and warms the shallower water - like a mud flat - these fish will make their way to that shallow, warmer water. It … This is a shallow diving jerk bait that is very effective on redfish as well as other species. Fish are strange, and even in the best circumstances, they may not eat what you put in front of them - for whatever reason. As Reds inhabit clear and turbid waters, you will need to adapt to the conditions. Look for where the baitfish are being herded by the tidal currents. Catching Redfish from a Pier. Berkley Gulp! I could tell you what I see as the best lure, and it would be what I use in a particular situation.