Hey I am just starting to get into fishing, and i want to start fishing for red’s. Any suggestions on locations, baits, and what kind of rod/reel combos i need. Someone told me to use braided line?? Fishing off a boat
It really depends on your boat as to where you can fish. I have a lot of tidal creeks I like to fish in and a few oyster mud flats I like to fish. However you have to make sure your boat will be able to make it out as the tide drops. Very important trust me! any flooded grass line works well too. if its low tide look for drop offs or structure like docks. As far as bait my philosophy is you cant ever have enough selection. I usually bring mud minows with me and try to catch finger mullet. smaller blue crabs will work well too. Rod and reel combos are really up to you but i own a couple penn battle 4000’s with the penn 7ft rods. Ill probably hear something bad about these but im going on 4 years and countless reds anywhere from 12 to 40 inches and they work well for me and yes if you are going to spend the money on line your best bet is braided line just make sure you tie the right knot. The biggest thing is just get out and fish. Try new places. You will find them.
Thanks for the help, i am in a little 17ft key west so ill be careful in the creeks. I heard their is success in the Wando and the Ashley
My first real boat was a key west 1720 sportsman. I fished it from the upper Wando to the nearshore reef without any problems. A 17ft Key West is very versatile. Braid is the way to go around docks and oysters. I recommend power pro. It’s hard to beat live bait. A live finger mullet on a 2ft fluorocarbon leader with a little lead before the swivel will catch plenty of fish. Go at low tide to find oysters and other features that will be covered at high tide.
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
Most definitely , start at dead low to learn the area and places to fish, you won’t sit grounded thru a tide change on a mud flat or oyster bar but one time before you learn not to venture into the unknown on a falling tide. If you take pictures it’ll also help to
remember the spots.
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You can catch reds just about anywhere so put over at the nearest boat landing and start looking. At low tide you’ll see structure. At high you’ll see them tailing in the flats. Keep you ears and eyes out for strikes. If you find lost of bait chances are Reds are nearby.
Learn how to throw a castnet. Avoid throwing it on oysters the best you can. Using cut mullet will allow you to focus on fishing and not keeping an eye on bait and making sure it has enough water. I use it all the time, even if I have live bait. Frozen isn’t preferable as it is softer but it will work in a pinch, caught a 26" last night on front beach Sullivans island on frozen cut mullet. I prefer bottom rigs but if you are looking for reds moving along a creek with a float rig might not be a bad idea if you have a trolling motor.
First, Most, Biggest
I want to catch them all