How To Catch Redfish? (The Ultimate Tutorial)

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how to catch big redfish

Redfish are a trendy fish to catch and an absolute joy to behold when they’re biting, but they can be frustrating to catch if you don’t know how to approach them correctly.

To help you with your redfish fishing, here’s my comprehensive guide on how to catch redfish. Following this guide will give you all the knowledge necessary to pull in redfish after redfish.

I love catching redfish; it is the only fish I have been fishing the most since my childhood. I remember when I was just a kid, I used to go fishing with my dad. I used to observe every technique he used to get the perfect catch.

I didn’t know how to catch redfish back then, but I learned a lot from him. He gave me many tips, and the thought that I would go to catch redfish alone one day excited me. Now I am at a point where my father cannot go fishing that frequently, but I can.

I catch a lot of redfish for him whenever I go. If you want to catch redfish, this guide is definitely for you.

When And Where To Catch Redfish?

Do you want to know how to catch redfish? Let me tell you where these red drummers are found. They are abundantly found in the Gulf of Mexico and mainly in the eastern parts of America. You won’t have difficulty finding them because you can find them everywhere in these places.

image of person holding redfish

Suppose I talk in terms of depth, redfish like swimming in shallow waters. You don’t have to search for them in the deep sea, as you’ll find them at 1-4 feet of water along the bay. They like eating seagrass, so focus on the bay edges where you find a lot of greenery.

Redfish like swimming in waters with suitable structures beside them, so look for them near docks, piers, bridges, and bays.

In short, man-made structures or rocky sites are ideal places for redfish that allow them to swim in the shallow waters more safely. Don’t know how to catch redfish from shore? You will surely learn something as you read till the end.

Best Baits And Lures For Catching Redfish

Do you want to set such bait that a redfish won’t be able to resist it? Well, I have got your back. There are many options to choose from; you can either go for live baits or artificial baits; the choice is yours. Talking about the live baits, crabs or shrimps is a good option.

A redfish won’t be able to control itself from eating them. It is just a quick tip: ensure your baits are frozen so they won’t fall off the hooks. There are a lot of artificial plastic baits available in the market, too, like plastic shrimps, soft plastic jigs, or skimmer jigs.

They can fool redfish pretty well. Get a good lure if you don’t want to invest in baits. Classic spoon lures work the best and help you catch redfish effectively. A weedless spoon can be a great choice.

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Fishing Equipment When Catching Redfish

Redfish are fun to catch, but only when you have the right fishing equipment along. If you want to know how to catch big redfish or even the smaller ones, you must get hold of the right equipment.

image of some Fishing Equipment

The equipment can vary depending on the place you’re fishing, the size of fish you’re expecting, and the depth of water. You will need a good fishing rod with a mono or braided line. I already mentioned that you should choose your equipment according to some conditions.

If you are fishing for them from open grass flats, get a 2500 to 3500 series reel, depending on your fish size. A medium to heavy rod would work absolutely fine. Having a rod too big to catch small redfish would only hurt the fish more and burden you for no use.

The Best Rigs For Redfish

How to catch red drum in the surf? Closely examine what a redfish likes to eat and choose a rig. Don’t have time for that? No worries, I did the work for you. I sorted out a few standard rigs used for redfish rigs and chose which is best for you.

Can a redfish resist a scented soft plastic jig? If I were a redfish, I wouldn’t. Such a rig is very versatile, it not only attracts a redfish by appearance, but its scent also makes the redfish go crazy.

Don’t want to invest in a scented one? That is okay, go for soft plastic replica swim baits; they fool the red drums too.

Another good option is to opt for a popping cork with a shrimp-tipped jig. It works well in colder water. The popping sound of the cork wakes the sleepy redfish up, and they quickly take the rig as bait.

Just remember my tip. No matter what jig you use, have a braided fishing line with it for better sensitivity and control.

Other Tackle & Equipment

A basic fishing rod, fishing line, rigs, and baits are enough, but who wants the basics? If you want to know how to catch redfish in brackish water, learn everything about tackles and equipment. That is the only way you will learn how to catch redfish like a pro, as brackish water fish aren’t easy to handle.

image of Fishing Equipment Box

Invest in a spinning reel. They are super convenient, and you will thank me later. Choose a reel with an entire metal body and stainless steel metal bearings. The best reel you can go for is a Penn Battle reel.

Being out in the sun all day is difficult; protect yourself by buying some good polarized glasses to save you from the harmful UV rays.

It may sound unnecessary, but you will be surprised to know how much difference they will make. They will also keep you cool by wicking all of the moisture.

How To Catch Redfish? The Techniques

Want to know how to catch redfish? Know the techniques. Redfish like moving in schools. They never swim alone. So if you make a mistake, you will end up scaring all of them, and you will have to move to another spot then.

First, know where they like being, look for them around structures as they like swimming near shallow waters. Once you have sighted them, provide them food consistently, so they stick to that place. Get your gear ready and ensure that it tightly knotted your fishing line with your baits or lures.

According to anglers, a redfish would always surprise you with something, no matter if it is your first time or the hundredth catch. So as you feel a little ting on your fishing line, you don’t need to wait much for it; just pull your reel.

Once you get a hold of it, you will also learn how to catch redfish in the summer. Summers are the best time to catch them.

So if you are planning to catch some redfish, schedule it during summer when they swim in larger schools. There are also chances for you to find much big redfish during the hotter months.

Catching Redfish From A Pier

Redfish love being around man-made structures like piers. I know how to catch redfish from a pier. Should I teach it to you? Of course, I will. Because of the way a pier is structured, you may feel you are not getting the proper room to catch fish from there, but that is not the case.

image of a person fishing redfish from pier

You will have to keep some techniques in mind. You don’t need some extra fancy equipment. Keep things basic and simple. All the simple gear, simple hooks, and baits.

The top advantage of fishing from a pier is the support you can lean on. The pillars can provide you with substantial support. Lean one hand on the pillar and use the other to hold your rod and suspend your bait in the water.

Make sure the rod is held above at an acute angle of 45 degrees from the water, and start waiting for the fish to take the bait. This angle might be a little uncomfortable, but it is effective. With this technique, you will probably catch a lot of redfish from the pier.

Final Verdict:

Anglers love fishing redfish. Why? Because they are not endangered, there are plenty of them in the ocean, and they don’t give you a hard time. You won’t need extra fancy equipment. Get some essential equipment, learn the techniques, and you will be good to go.

Don’t have a boat or kayak? You can still catch redfish as they’re one of the easiest fish to catch. They taste amazing and are packed with nutrients that make them a perfect choice for a healthy meal. Redfish are intriguing to catch, and I hope you know how to catch redfish by now after reading this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

#1 – How to Catch Redfish with Shrimp?

Redfish love eating shrimps because they are full of proteins. So they make an excellent bait for them. To catch redfish with shrimp, you must use a frozen shrimp and suspend it in the water with a basic hook.

Even if you don’t have a live or frozen shrimp, artificial plastic shrimp are available in the market, which works great too.

#2 – What is the best time of day to catch redfish?

If you are planning to catch redfish, you should know that you can find them better during the cooler times of the day. Catch them in the morning when the sun is not up that much and the water is still cool.

You can also fish for them during the afternoon, but you will have to be near a jetty, pier, or a dock to catch them; otherwise, it can be dangerous as it gets darker.

#3 – Do you need a leader for redfish?

Getting a leader for redfish is a great idea. If you are fishing for redfish inshore, then yes, a leader is necessary to catch redfish. Fishes can easily detect leaders, so you will be able to catch your fish easily if you have a fluorocarbon leader with you.

#4 – Where do redfish go at night?

Redfish like being near lights, so how to catch redfish at night? They probably gather near jetties and docks where they can find the light.

So if you are searching for redfish at night, you should look for them near the lights. You can also use flashlights or something to trick the fish into getting near you, as they will go wherever there is light.

#5 – Can you catch redfish from shore?

Yes, you can catch redfish from shore. Most of the time, you will find redfish near shores during their spawning season.

So know when their spawning season is, and you will catch them from the shores, beaches, bays, or rivers. You will have to get your equipment ready accordingly, too.

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  • Since 2009 I've been writing on different media portals about fishing. Here on this website, it's time to share those experiences I've witnessed in my entire life so far. Let me help you get the best stuff you need while fishing.

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