With the warm temperatures weve experienced over the last two weeks, everyone is getting excited about spring time fishing. The creeks are beginning to come alive with bait and fish are emerging from the winter slumber with a healthy appetite. A particular fish of interest this time of year is the ever popular redfish. During the winter months these fish school up for protection from predators, like porpoises, and for warmth. As we emerge out of the winter months, the fish will stay in schools until water temperatures rise.
Once you find a school of fish you want to keep in mind that you were probably not the first person to find these fish and they will normally spook easily. During the cold winter months, fish were not as active and did not move much, but now that waters are warmer fish will more readily move from an area or quit eating if they are spooked. You will also want to keep this in mind if you see another boat working a bank. You want to give them plenty of room so you do not spook a school they are working.
Give yourself options when it comes to bait. The same bait does not work all of the time in all conditions. Weve had good success in the past getting the fish started on live bait and getting them competing for food and then switching to artificials. Once getting the food becomes a competition the fish become much less picky and will hit a variety of different lures. Lately Ive talked with people that have had success on mudminnows, dead shrimp, crab parts, and every artificial lure from hard baits to soft plastics. The schools of fish they are seeing are very large many times with 200 or more fish. A couple of anglers catching 25-50 fish or more a day is not uncommon.
Keep in mind that the redfish population here in the Lowcountry has not always been this healthy. Those of us that have been around a while can remember when we hit some hard times when it comes to catching these fish. Anglers practicing conservation has rewarded us with these huge schools of fish and