Texas anglers catch bull reds late in summer and early fall at various rock jetties leading to the Gulf. Chris Woodward / Sport Fishing
I spotted a location at the southwestern end of the Cameron, Louisiana, jetties and cast my line. My lipless crankbait splashed into the water.
As the lure descended, I started my usual seven-count before my initial pull but paused at three when it seemed stuck against a rock, prompting me to set the hook—just in case.
The rod bent sharply, the drag screamed, and for the next quarter-hour, a massive redfish tested my strength and gear.
Catching redfish is enjoyable, but landing large ones is even better. One of the most effective methods in early fall is using crankbaits at jetties.
Gearing Up for Fishing with Crankbaits
The market is flooded with numerous crankbait types, mainly for bass fishermen, but the best options for redfish are lipless.
As the name suggests, these lures lack a protruding lip, allowing for targeted depth control. Lipless designs offer more versatility since anglers can determine the fishing depth.
Rat-L-Trap has long been a leader in the industry, but my preference lies with the Bomber Super Pogy Saltwater Grade, which produces a high-pitch rattle I find effective. Other alternatives include the Nobondo Lipless Crankbait, Nomad Design Madscad, and Biospawn Battle Bot.
Ideal colors include chrome, white/black, chrome/pink, and bronze. I utilize a casting reel with 30-pound green P-line braid directly tied to the lure, perfect for murky waters. In clearer waters, consider adding a 36-inch fluorocarbon leader if necessary.
I favor a medium-heavy action, 7 1/2-foot rod, but I’m particular about its materials. This insight came as I fished with four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn.
Clunn advised me that super-sensitive rods can hinder a successful crankbait fishing experience. Fish push the lure forward when pursuing it; with overly sensitive graphites and composites, you may set the hook too early, prior to the fish grabbing the lure.
Years ago, Clunn worked with Wright & McGill to develop the S-Glass Series rods, blending classic fiberglass technology with modern designs. I employ these rods for crankbait fishing and have enjoyed success from the Mississippi River near Venice, La., to the Cameron jetties.
Using glass rods has dramatically increased my hookup rate, as I don’t feel the bite until the fish has fully taken the lure. Various fiberglass crankbait rods are available, making a significant difference when pursuing redfish.
Location and Technique
While fishing around the jetties, begin near boat cuts [Ed’s note: Texas jetties have breaks in the rock wall that allow access for small boats] to target redfish feeding on baitfish migrating between the channel and the Gulf side of the jetty. “Shrimp, shad, and crabs are usually pushing through, attracting the reds,” says experienced jetty fisherman Bill Killian.
Anchor up-current of the cut and retrieve your lure against the current. “Cast toward the cut, allow it to sink briefly, then reel as quickly as possible. The current helps the rattles perform effectively,” he explains.
Search for jetty reds in deeper holes typically located around the southern tip of the rocks and extending about 50 yards northward. The current winds around the jetty structure, creating large holes. Reds often cluster around sizable boulders that have toppled off the main wall into these holes.
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Cast out your crankbait, let it sink to the rock level, and then jerk it. Pull a few feet, then reel a few cranks before repeating this process three or four times and re-casting. Reds often strike right after the first pull or sometimes while the lure drops.
While it may seem counterintuitive, dolphins feeding nearby are a good sign.
In my records, I’ve noted that every time I caught numerous bull reds, dolphins were foraging in the area. When we caught fewer fish, there were often no dolphins around. Dolphin presence usually suggests menhaden, a key food source for large reds.
Releasing for the Future
With challenges like algae blooms and menhaden fishery bycatch affecting redfish populations, catch-and-release is becoming increasingly vital—especially for the significant breeding-sized reds found in jetty systems.
Researchers indicate that the discard mortality rate for all redfish sizes averages about 8 percent, largely influenced by the type of terminal tackle used. Generally, lures cause fewer deep-hook incidents than natural baits employing J-hooks.
For example, one fish Killian caught near a gas platform off Sabine Pass, which I tagged for Texas Sea Grant, reappeared three weeks later just two miles away at the Sabine jetties. As the hefty bull red surfaced, Killian netted it. We quickly discovered the tag covered in slime.
I removed the growth, and my heart raced when I saw the Sea Grant tag.
Upon reviewing our data, we confirmed it was the same fish Killian had caught weeks earlier. This experience solidified my belief in the value of releasing large fish, a lesson I’ll cherish and respect for the rest of my life.