Walked a hard bottom flat yesterday as the tide came in and saw lots of reds tailing, but couldn’t get anything to bite. We were using various colors of DOA shrimp. Any suggestions on what type of bait to use while wading through the flats?
I tried spoons and other artificials in my first attempt at flats fishing for reds (saw them but could not get a bite), I was told crab or chunks of cut bait would be good as the reds would smell and hit it. Worth a shot.
Spoons, weedless plastic jerk baits (DOA, Gulp, Z-man). Flashy colors work well in the grass.
I tried different color DOA shimp, but had no luck. I’ll probably try live bait and cut bait without any weights next trip to see if I have any different luck. Maybe the weight in the DOA was spooking the reds?
Watch the fish and determine the direction he is feeding. Toss the lure 3-5’ in front of the fish and wait. If the fish gets near the lure and doesn’t strike, give it a slight twitch. I generally only through flies in the grass, but if I don’t, gulp shrimp on a flutter hook is my lure of choice (bring smell and sight into the equation). Live bait is a pain in the ass to mess with when walking flats (and in general), and I honestly think you have the same chances with artificial. 90% of grass flat fishing is casting accuracy. The fish are up there for one reason and that is to eat…you just have to put the lure in their line of sight. I hope this helps.
When its to windy for the flyrod I use Zoom shad flukes with 3/0, 1/8oz. weighted spring hookes (Gamakatsu) and really done well this year and last.
I went Sunday and only got one, but they really werent’ out there like before. I did see a crap load of sheepshead.
Live bait (mullet or haden) hooked in the tail so he filps like crazy. Never seen a tailing red not charge a live kicking bait fish…they cant refuse it.
*throw
I LOVE WADE FISHING just moved here from PA and would be crazy greatful for info on a wading spot. THANKS Doug
quote:They are a few things people covet here. Redfish flats and grouper numbers.. good luck with the search though. Remember spartina grass above the knee, looks bad to me
Originally posted by talldougI LOVE WADE FISHING just moved here from PA and would be crazy greatful for info on a wading spot. THANKS Doug
Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc
Great Yak, now you have told him the secret!
ever try the z man crabs on a weedless?
quote:
Originally posted by Dkscout177ever try the z man crabs on a weedless?
I have should be good to go, Gulp Peeler crabs also
Bragging may not bring happiness,
but no man having caught a large fish,
goes home through the alley.
-Anonymous
gulp shrimp on a texas rig go to or doa crab and use wire to make weed gard ps weres spartina