Guys, thanks again for all of the insight on Redfish location and techniques. Got a few tackle questions for you.
I use bait casters mostly as I’m much more accurate with them and come from the bass world where dock skipping jigs, frogs, creature baits, etc wins money in bass tournaments, etc and “muscling a fish” is the norm which a bait caster & MH or H rod gives an angler the leverage to do.
My question is about line diameter and whether or not it matters in this water since it’s got so much color in it. I use 100% florocarbon quite a bit typically the 14-20lb class.
For finesse bass fishing I’ll go as light at 5lb floro but typically 20lb braid with a double uni knot tied to a 7 or 10lb floro leader depending on depth, water conditions, and average fish size of where I’m at that day. I think this is a great way to fish for reds with small grubs, etc.
Wondering if with this species if line diameter matters? I know a spinning rod throws farther so that’s a pretty clear advantage for sight fishing and lighter baits. Let me hear from you.
Also, someone enlighten me on the gold spoon thing. That’s a whole new lure to me. To me a spoon is a flutter spoon or a jigging spoon. Never drug one through the grass before. How, when, do you fish that and do you “tip” it with anything or just go spoon on line and get after it? Thanks again! 
Chuck D - Hilton Head, SC
Ranger z21 Intracoastal
Contrary to what some people say red fish usually are not to sensitive to line diameter. Sometimes in the winter when the water is real clear and fish are more finicky it may play a role but not usually. I use 30 lb braid on my med heavy spinning rod and 20 on my med. If i am fishing docks, i will use a 10 inch 40lb mono or flouro leader for flipping/skipping (medheavy spinning) z mans on a jig head. i use bait casters for bottom fishing and use 30 lb ande to carolina rig with or what i usually do when bottom fishing is use a dropper rig I tie with 20 or 30 lb. When fishing open water i use a 20 lb leader either with a bottom rig or under a cajun cork w scrimp (doa or live) mud minnow or finger mullet.It seems trout are a little more sensitive to line it seems. As for the gold johnson spoon (i only use the johnson spoons) it is probably the best redfish lure of all time. use a swivel and you can work it many ways. bump it along the bottom, reel it in steady, reel it w a stop and go retrieve, you can fish it similar to a jerk bait,you may can even cast it to a tailer and let it sit there and just twitch it until he finds it. Good luck. Once you figure out red fishing you will love it!
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
I’ve been catching some nice redfish in the Folly River lately. I like to use the same rig I’ve been using since I was a kid ( except for the braid, of course ). A 3/0 hook on 20 lb. test mono leader with 2-4 no. 4 split shot, depending on the strength of the current.I use live finger mullet, or maybe cut mullet. My equipment of choice is a Penn Fierce 2000 with 250 yards of 10 lb. test Powerpro on an 6 foot UglyStik. Flip it on the bottom in a likely spot and hold on!
Sounds good and thanks. Might need to upsize my leader. Will they bite through it or just break you off with the sheer power they produce? I can use a 20lb Floro leader but it’s super stiff and I thought it’d kill the action of a finesse presentation but will give it a try. Heck, I need to hook up first… Still wearing the skunk cap but hopefully this weekend will help me shed that smelly lid. Thanks gents!
Chuck D - Hilton Head, SC
Ranger z21 Intracoastal
I use 15 to 30# fluoro most of the time because it is more resistant to abrasion, does not hold as much memory as mono, and sinks faster. I like the fact that it is stiffer. Use a loop knot to attach lure so their action is not impaired.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14
x3 on the loop knot and 20-30lb fluoro leader. i make mine with a uni-to-uni as well, and usually live bait with 2/0-4/0 circles on carolina rigs weighty enough to hold bottom. tied properly, that rig will stop almost any inshore red if he’s about to cut you off.
fishing a spoon follows exactly the same principles as freshwater, really- in fact there are high-dollar weighted “flutter hooks” saltwater. weedless in the grass, but also good in open water around oyster mounds. don’t land it close to the fish if you can see them, obviously. tipping it with a small piece of shrimp would never be a bad idea.
Not a Master like Iain and some of the other folks here, but I have equal luck with or without a leader. I’m at the point where I usually fish a 2/0 hook on the end of 30 pound briad with a Palomar knot and a couple split shot up about 3’. I know some guys who fish with 60# mono leaders on 30# braid and catch boatloads of Spottail.
Tidewater 196DC
Yamaha F115
Pungo 120
quote:
Not a Master like Iain
Thanks for the kind words JimIslander. I would not describe myself as a one; I still learn something new every trip out. I think if you can do that every trip you have no choice but to become a better fisherman.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14