When it comes to inshore fishing in the United States, redfish reign supreme. From the warm shores of Texas to the picturesque coastlines of Virginia, these fish attract countless anglers eager to reel them in.
A highly effective method for targeting redfish is by using live shrimp, which many seasoned anglers uphold as the top bait choice. In the following sections, I’ll share some actionable tips to enhance your success while fishing with live shrimp and make the experience more enjoyable.
Keeping Your Shrimp Alive
One of the crucial factors to consider when using live bait is ensuring that your shrimp remain lively. This primarily involves providing a consistent supply of oxygenated water.
If you’re fishing from a boat, your live well should be capable of circulating water effectively. Should the water temperature rise or oxygen levels dip, adding oxygen tabs or employing an external aerator can work wonders. These aerators are also ideal for bait buckets.
If wade fishing or casting from the surf, the Frabill Magnum Shrimp Flow-Troll Bait Bucket is a smart choice. Its design facilitates essential water flow, ensuring your shrimp stay healthy.
Regardless of your setup, it’s advisable to carry enough live shrimp to keep your fishing endeavors going without overstuffing your bait bucket. The more shrimp you have on hand, the more oxygen they’ll need. If you happen to notice any shrimp that have perished, promptly remove them from the bucket; even dead shrimp can make for excellent bait!
When it comes to fishing with live shrimp, a steady supply of oxygenated water is crucial.
Brent Schirmer
Locating Redfish
Surf Fishing for Redfish
If summer redfish are your target, several prime locations are worth checking out. In many regions, you can successfully catch redfish right from the beach. This typically involves casting a surf rig beyond the breaking waves and patiently waiting. While using live shrimp, be sure to frequently inspect your bait and keep an eye on your line as there are many other fish eager to snatch it up.
Sight Fishing for Redfish
Fishing for redfish from a boat? Consider sight casting to actively feeding fish—this tactic not only boosts your efficiency but also helps preserve your precious supply of live shrimp from hungry bait thieves.
When sight casting, your approach will often depend on your fishing environment. If you find yourself on the flats, look for the unmistakable sight of redfish tails breaking the surface. Position your boat upstream, and cast your shrimp within the fish’s line of sight while avoiding casting directly above them to prevent spooking the catch.
For additional insights on targeting larger redfish, be sure to check out this informative article. If you’re seeking guidance on finding redfish specific to your local waters, this resource may also prove beneficial.
In search of feeding redfish? Look for telltale signs like puffs of mud stirring up on the flats—this often signifies that fish are actively foraging. In this scenario, cast your shrimp slightly upstream or just past their location and retrieve it into the ideal position.
Around Charleston, anglers eagerly target redfish during flood tides amidst the marsh grass, turning this into a thrilling sight fishing experience.
Reading the Water to Find Redfish
Understanding the water dynamics is crucial in locating prime spots for encountering redfish. Recognizing where currents flow into flats or channels can help you stretch out your live shrimp supply.
Predatory fish like redfish often choose to stack themselves in eddies or sheltered areas behind structures, waiting for currents to deliver tasty morsels their way. When you identify such a location, cast your live shrimp upstream and allow it to drift naturally past your target. This can be done using either a free-lined shrimp or a small split shot for added weight.
Diving into deeper pockets or areas of sand amidst grass flats can yield fruitful results as redfish often ambush prey in these hiding spots.
Rockpiles, docks, and jetties also double as excellent hotspots for summer redfish. Maneuver your boat into a prime location and cast your live shrimp around the structure from various angles. To maximize your chances, cover all sides before moving on.
Rods and Reels for Redfish
For those targeting redfish in the flats or bay, a spinning tackle setup is often the best choice. A well-oiled spinning outfit allows for precision casting—especially useful when sight fishing. Pair this with braided line for sufficient line capacity should you encounter a hefty bull redfish.
The AL13 Spinning Reel from 13 Fishing stands out as a versatile option for sight fishing redfish. Load it with 10-pound Spectra braid, which not only excels in casting but its slim diameter ensures you can fit enough line for larger catches. Moreover, the increased abrasion resistance of braided line is beneficial when trying to extract redfish from structures.
Your choice of rod ultimately comes down to personal preference. Should you opt for light spinning gear for sight casting redfish, pairing the AL13 reel with a 7’4” Medium 13 Fishing Fate saltwater spinning rod is a solid choice.
Some anglers prefer longer rods that facilitate longer casts, making them particularly effective for beach fishing. When placed in a rod holder, longer rods allow for better clearance over the surf. A fantastic choice for targeting redfish in the surf would be the 7’10” Medium Heavy 13 Fishing Fate Combo.
Terminal Tackle for Targeting Redfish with Live Shrimp
When utilizing braided lines, it’s advisable to use a fluorocarbon leader. Fluorocarbon is an excellent choice for several reasons.
Firstly, it’s highly abrasion-resistant, which minimizes the chance of fish breaking your line. Additionally, it dramatically reduces visibility underwater. A 25-pound fluorocarbon leader typically handles most situations well. If you find yourself fishing in exceptionally clear waters or trying to stimulate more bites, you might consider down-sizing, while increasing the leader size can be beneficial around larger fish.
For hooking live shrimp, Owner light wire tournament mutu hooks often come recommended. If you choose to use circle hooks—known for typically hooking fish in the corner of the mouth—just remember not to set the hook too aggressively. Light wire J hooks also serve as outstanding choices for sight casting to redfish.
While you’re at it, ensure you have varying sizes of split shots, a popping cork, some jig heads (perfect for rigging dead shrimp), and perhaps a DOA shrimp or two as backup, in case you run low on the live or freshly dead ones!
Rigs to Catch Redfish on Live Shrimp
Catching redfish with shrimp is a versatile endeavor, with numerous approaches available that cater to different fishing situations. In this section, we will outline four tried and tested rigs that have proven successful in tournaments.
When focused on reds in the flats, your strategy will likely revolve around a hook paired with a small weight. Utilizing split shots will help you reach your targeted redfish.
It’s best to hook the shrimp through the head, ideally between the two dark spots. Many anglers favor hooking live shrimp from left to right (or vice versa), but you can alternatively thread the hook from the bottom of the shrimp’s head and out the top—just steer clear of the dark spots!
You can fine-tune not only the amount of weight, but also the position of the split shot in relation to the hook. The closer the split shot is to the hook, the nearer the shrimp will be to the bottom. Moreover, positioning the weight closer to the hook enhances casting accuracy.
Should you be fishing in a current that spills into a channel or across the flats, consider free-lining live shrimp to let the current do the work. Essentially, this involves fishing live shrimp without any added weight, allowing it to drift naturally.
If you’re scouring murky waters or broad areas, employing a popping cork can be remarkably effective. By working the cork to emit chugging sounds reminiscent of feeding fish, you can draw redfish closer to your bait.
Don’t shy away from using dead shrimp for bait either. They work well on a popping cork or can be effectively rigged on a jig head for casting.
If sight casting to fish, you might opt to pinch the tail off your live shrimp and thread the hook from the tail through its body. Adding a split shot near the hook’s eye not only enhances casting accuracy but allows for a faster retrieve compared to hooking through the head. Plus, pinching the shrimp’s tail releases scent into the water, which can be particularly enticing!