I am very new to casting for reds. I have a favorite artificial bait to throw: ragin cajum gold spoon. I want to expand the menu, what is some of your favorites to offer? Have heard of a bass spin type and that is very good artificial. What Jigs and Topwater, too? Which ones and what color?
I want outfit new tackle box, not a lot, just the basics.
Thanks!
Rifleman, we just did a survey at our last Lowcountry Refish Cup event in Charleston. The #1 bait was Gulp, and Zman was #2. No color preference was given. My personal preference for gulp is the Ripple Mullet in white with charteuse tail, and a 3" shrimp in Sugar Spice. Zman colors would be “Redbone” or " Houdini".
What ^ he said! Bruce knows how to catch fish! The bait that has caught more fish for me is the Gulp jerk shad 6" white in color. The larger 6" size are harder to find but I prefer them over the 5" for reds. I have the ripple mullet in my box as well but haven’t had enough time to fish them. I have been on the boat with Bruce and ripple mullet definitely produces. Fishing the larger swim baits its best to have the largest hook you can find with a WIDE gap. Helps with the hook up ratio!
2007 Scout 221 150 Yamaha 4 stroke
Thanks, I am taking notes. What about topwater baits?
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Originally posted by riflemannThanks, I am taking notes. What about topwater baits?
Skitter Walks and Spook Jrs. are all you will need in this department. You can get very fancy with hard baits, but these 2 will produce day in and day out.
what colors for those two topwaters?
I will also vote yes to the jerk shad. I have mostly fished chartruese, white, and saphire shine. I think chartruese has outdone the all for me. The key to these baits for me is the way you rig them up. Swimbait hooks are the key IMO. They let you fish the bait over and through a lot of structure with reduced hangups. Most of my topwater stuff looks like mullet. I only have 4 or 5 and they are all top dawgs and spook Jr. I have fished the Z Man baits and I love them as far as durability and price but I think the gulps will out catch them.
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Originally posted by riflemannwhat colors for those two topwaters?
The water I fish is usually a little dingy when it’s topwater time, so a white or chartreuese bottom is all you need. Black is also a staple color for reds for some reason. Keep it simple! I own just about every color available, and a bone colored Skitter Walk and a black or predominantly white spook is what I go to 90% of the time. If you get follows or rolls at the bait with no hook ups, then change color. When the topwater bite is on, you will at least get SOME interest no matter what color you throw if you are around fish.
I agree ^ I really believe that it’s the action and sound that work with top waters. I’m partial to the skitter walk because of it’s low pitch “clack” sound. The subtle patterns and colors are meant to hook the fisherman, not the fish (for the most part!). As for sub surface I would in general agree with the comments above. Gulp and Z-man jerk baits.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
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Gulp! jerk shad in sardine or sapphire shine. Gulp! 3" shrimp in pearl/chartruese.
Don’t rule out a white buck tail with a small pinch of shrimp on it. If you get up into brackish water they work good for stripers as well.
< Evil is simply the absence of God >
Thanks, Wildlifesc, I was hoping you would weigh in.
If I had two baits on the boat for reds it would a gold spoon and a gulp natural shrimp. For top water it’s a spook, but reds aren’t real good at eating top water cause their mouth is on the bottom.
Can’t argue with fact and its kinda funny, too.