Berkley HighJacker Saltwater
Jon Whittle
Topwater: Berkley HighJacker Saltwater
"I frequently utilize the HighJacker Saltwater for fishing in shallow waters due to its higher pitch sound, which I believe attracts more fish. I tie an Albright knot from the main line to the leader, followed by a loop knot to the topwater to maximize action. My preferred technique involves working the bait quickly and aggressively. I tend to fish with this bait faster than most anglers, resulting in a greater percentage of hookups, thanks to its three hooks." — Travis Land, Redfish Tournament Pro, Seguin, Texas
Buggs Fishing Curl-Tail Redfish Jig
Jon Whittle
Jig: Buggs Fishing Curl-Tail Redfish Jig
"The Curl-Tail Redfish Jig excels in shallow water for three key reasons—it lands softly, appears lively in the water, and mimics numerous prey of gamefish. Before casting, submerge it briefly and squeeze the rabbit strips between your fingers; the rabbit hide captures tiny air bubbles. This step only takes five seconds, and once the strips are wet, they look lifelike. The jig lands hook point up every time. When sight casting over sand or mud, lead the fish and let the jig settle. A gentle twitch or any current will animate the Buggs. Incorporate some twitches occasionally to activate the rattles at the jig’s base." — Heath Hippel, Owner and Founder, Buggs Fishing
Z-Man Mulletron with ZWG Swimbait Hook
Jon Whittle
Swimbait: Z-Man Mulletron with ZWG Swimbait Hook
"The buoyancy of the Z-Man Mulletron allows me to fish it in extremely shallow water, particularly over rocks and grass. I make a long cast, positioning the rod tip at 10 to 10:30 and execute a straight, relatively slow retrieve. The chin weight on the ZWG hook allows me to bump the bottom, providing feedback on the substrate composition (rock, sand, shells, etc.) without snagging. The floating ElaZtech material of the Mulletron enables me to swim it just inches from the bottom or gently drag it along the substrate, which is especially effective for redfish and seatrout. For snook, I simply increase the retrieve speed to keep the bait near the surface, where lighter colors like Bad Shad or Pearl become highly visible." — Capt. C.A. Richardson, Host of Flats Class TV
Savage Gear Manic Shrimp Weedless V2
Jon Whittle
Shrimp: Savage Gear Manic Shrimp Weedless V2
"My preferred application of the Savage Gear Manic Shrimp in shallow waters is sight fishing for redfish. This bait is effective due to its lifelike legs, scent, and natural color choices. It comes in weedless options or with the hook exposed. All coastal fish feed on shrimp, and this bait looks appealing. Cast it right in front of a redfish and give it a twitch. I use a 20-pound leader for this shrimp, favoring an improved clinch knot. In 3 to 6 feet of water, I rig it 20 inches beneath a cork and employ a sharp, snappy pop—not a prolonged pull." — Capt. Tommy Pellegrin, Owner of Custom Charters, LLC, Houma, Louisiana