How to Catch Redfish

Juvenile Reds

Juvenile redfish grow up in the marshes and grass flats, feeding along oyster bars and other structure and habitats that may hold bait. They spend these early years growing and bulking up until they’re big enough to move offshore to the reefs that will hold ample amounts of bait to fuel them as they grow into mature, adult reds. Juvenile reds feed on small prey such as finger mullet, shrimp, fiddler crabs, mud minnows and any other small finfish that they can get ahold of.

They are adolescent and can be tricked easily with artificial lures that mimic their natural prey. You can also “match the hatch” and fish with their natural prey to entice the bite. There are a few ways to target juvenile reds in the back country and marshes. Floats are among the most popular way to target these fish as it helps prevent getting hung on the bottom and losing your rig. If you want to target reds on bottom, you should make a “Carolina Rig”.

To learn how to make a float rig for targeting reds, click HERE.

To learn how to make a “Carolina Rig” for targeting reds on bottom, click HERE

Adult Reds

Moving up to the more mature aged fish, they depend on nearshore reefs and structure to supply their food and shelter. Once they move inshore for breeding purposes, they will use deep water channels as highways to move in and out of sounds and estuaries to lay their eggs, while feeding along random sandbars that they may come across that holds bait.

Redfish are a schooling fish, especially the males. You can even mark them with your bottom machine, and once you do, you can put movement and feeding patterns to them and start increasing your odds of catching fish. Redfish need an ample supply of bait or food to sustain their long journeys and massive bodies. Even at the juvenile stage, they feed a lot to continue their life cycle. They are a slow moving fish while not hunting or hooked. But once hooked, they show their extreme power and agility with drag screaming runs and powerful headshakes that will punish the rod.

When targeting larger fish, it is common to find them around sandbars and deep water channels as they make their way to the breeding grounds in rivers and marshes. Typically they are rooting around the mud and sand to find their prey and are found on bottom. In order to catch them, your bait needs to be on bottom. A popular rig to use for this application is the “Carolina Rig”. Bait differs from one area to another, but live bait, such as menhaden or mullet usually works well as well as other cut baitfish and using chunks.

Bait & Supplies

Some of the things you may need to target redfish are listed here. You may or may not need all of the items listed here.

• Hooks for Redfish
• Leader
• Egg weights or Flat weights for red drum
• Trolling Weights for floats
• Swivels that hold up to the power of redfish
• Floats for redfish

No matter where you are targeting reds or what size you’re chasing, they are fun to catch for everyone. Let Vanguard Wolfe help get you squared away with the tackle you need to enjoy a day on the water chasing reds. From hooks, swivels and leader material, we’ve got you covered to get you on the water quicker and enjoy doing what you love.