The red drum or the redfish are one of the most exhilarating how to catch redfish in shallow waters species to target. It puts up a great fight and looks awesome when reeled in-their golden-bronze color is superb. Look for fishing in shallow waters for exciting fishing experiences, whether you’re just a beginner or a full–blown pro. Everything else related to redfish-from where to look for chances of getting them-is in this guide.
Understanding Redfish Behavior
Before you start fishing, it is very crucial to perceive the behavior of redfish. Redfish usually occur in shallow coastal waters; Estuaries, marshes and flat areas. They generally prefer warm waters and tailing-most to see their tails are actually sticking out the water as they scour the bottom in search of feed.
Mostly red fishes like to eat shrimp, crabs and small fishes. They display the most activity during the early morning hours and late evening. Though they are catchable in daylight, it is common when the temperature is just right.
Best Shallow Water Fishing Location for Redfish
1. Grass Flats and Marshes
Grass flats and marshes are bounty for reds as they offer food. Look for the submerged grasses because those spots are usually where shrimps and smaller bait fish congregate for a red to much on.
2. Oyster Bars and Rock Piles
These locations are good for redfish because of the food and structure that they offer. Just be careful to navigate around those areas to prevent damage to your boat or kayak.
3. Creeks and Tidal Inlets
For the redfish, having creeks and inlets with strong current flowing in a moving tide is a good thing. Redfish use these places for hunting the small baitfish and the crustaceans that are being swept up in the current.
4. Very Shallow Mudflats
These mudflats indeed warm faster than the deep waters, so it will be a great hold-up for redfish in the colder months. Redfish also like to utilize those places for feeding on crabs and shrimps.
Selecting The Right Gear for Redfish
1. Fishing Rod and Reel
A medium-light to medium-action spinning rod and a 2500-4000 size reel is a good rig for shallow water redfish. This setup has enough strength to handle these fights while making accuracy of casting easy.
2. Fishing Line
For sensitivity and strength, consider a braided fishing line in the range of 10-20 Ib test. Add a 20-30 Lb fluorocarbon leader to ensure it does not spook the fish and deal with the abrasion that oysters and rocks inflect.
3. Hooks and Weights
Circle hooks, either less than or equal to sizes 4/0 used for live baits, work perfectly. For artificial lures, jig head weights of between ⅛ to ¼ ounce are excellent.
Best Baits And Lures For Redfish
1. Live Bait
- Shrimp: Redfish like eating shrimp. Simply thread the hood through the tail or head of the shrimp and allow it to drift steadily.
- Mullet: The larger the mullet, the bigger the redfish it invites for dinner.
- Crabs: Small blue crabs or fiddler crabs are the fare for redfish. You can hook it through the shell.
2. Artificial Lures
- Soft plastic lures: Paddle tails and shrimp imitations are great, especially in the natural colors of white, brown and green.
- Topwater lures: Usually word in the morning or in the evening when pops and walking baits elicit vicious strikes.
- Spoons: The use of gold spoons for red drum is a relic of times past as the spoon realistically imitates tiny baitfish, and its sparkle below the water surface becomes almost irresistible.
Methods of Catching Redfish in Shallow Water
1. Sight Fishing
Sight fishing is one of the most exciting ways to catch red fish. Look for areas of tailing fish or any water disturbance. Cast the lure or bait a few feet ahead of the fish and let them fish it on their own.
2. Stealth Approach
Redfish are spooked easily in shallow water. Sneak up quietly by wading or pushing with a pole instead of using a trolling motor. Avoid making noise and casting big shadows on the water.
3. Work the Tides
Incoming and outgoing tides are the best times to fish for redfish. On an incoming tide, redfish move up onto flats to feed. On an outgoing tide, they will gather around deeper channels and drop-offs.
4. Drift Fishing
If wade fishing, kayak, or boat fishing, let the wind and current drift you over the flat while casting in different directions. This will let you cover more water and locate active fish.
5. Use a Popping Cork
A popping cork rig tipped with live bait or soft plastics will work very well. The popping cork resembles feeding and will attract redfish.
Tips for Catching More Redfish
- Get the sunglasses out of the sun: These devices have a function that lets you view 15 or 30 degrees or so through the window.
- Match the Hatch: Use lures and bait that resemble what redfish are looking for in the area where they live.
- Be Patient: Be cautious in attracting the redfish and stay put so that they can take the bait and you can pull them in.
- Adjust Your Retrieval Speed: Redfish may at times respond to high-speed lures and sometimes slow and consistent movement is good.
- Keep Your Bait in the Strike Zone: By casting near structures like oyster mounds and shorelines and grass lines where redfish are likely to be feeding, you keep your bait in the strike zone near the redfish.
Best Time of Year to Catch Redfish in Shallow Waters
Spring and Summer
In the warmest season, baby fish are active swimmers and stay in the shallow, although the least amount of water available may remain in the shallow grasses time depending on the time and wind the fish might be in the roots and different area around the bay.
Fall
As much as the fish bask until the sun sets, the falling season is the moon of wild fish in the hunt and fish during the day before they turn into stargazers through night hunting, i.e. high in the water column.
Winter
The wintertime reds move into deeper holes, but they are also found on mudflats where the sun can heat the mud a small area and thus warm the water which still makes the fish catchable.
Conclusion
Fishing for redfish requires nothing more than patience and keen perception. The behavior of redfish is impacted by tidal influences, air temperature, and even their feeding habits. If you can pick up on the little details in the water, choose the correct baits and use good casting techniques, you greatly improve your chances of catching a record-size redfish. The thrill of catching a redfish in shallow waters is overwhelming, and really satisfying.
You’ve acquired the know-how to fish exuberantly for redfish amid shallow waters. This expertise you can now carry into your cherished excursions, relishing the spice of sentence. Yet when you start planning for the next, discretion in filing those far-flung tribulations, respecting, preserving or restoring in describing those wicked-simple fishing methods are not to be forgotten while preparing for the next happy time next. The least dangerous way to exist for the good of the Earth will provide a greater finish for all generations yet to come of this singular pleasure.
Read more : How to Catch Redfish in Shallow Waters.