One of the advantages to fishing for redfish (for gaming purposes) is it has proven that it is willing to take most kinds of bait – both natural and artificial. The best types of live bait include shrimp, mud minnows, finger mullet, and pogies. However, it is important to remember that sometimes, dead bait can be the best choice. Any cut slab of a filet from mullet, croaker, pinfish, etc. will work to snag the redfish.
Live shrimp are typically fished under a popping cork or “free shrimped” using small weight and letting the shrimp swim freely. Live fish are best on the bottom using a slip-sinker type rig where the fish can swim freely. The bait fish are hooked through the lips or through the top of the back behind the dorsal fin. Small blue crab are fished on bottom and are hooked through one of the swimming legs at the rear of the crab. Additionally, saltwater flyfishing for redfish is increasing in popularity. Flyfishers sight cast small surface popping plugs, baitfish type streamers or shrimp and crab imitation flies to “cruising” or “tailing” redfish. Once the redfish is hooked, it is a competitive fight to haul it into the boat.
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