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Tips for fishing for Red Drum (Redfish) with Topwater Lures - FishAndSave

Tips for fishing for Red Drum (Redfish) with Topwater Lures

Introduction

There is nothing more exciting than watching a big redfish blow up on your topwater lure. It’s a sight that every angler longs to see while they are fishing. The problem is, the only time most anglers can catch redfish on topwater lures is during the peak of their feeding response. This means that if you see schools of redfish blowing up on surface lures, it won’t last long and you will have to wait until they do it again before you can catch them consistently with topwater lures. However, if you know where and when these fish feed and how to present your artificial bait properly, there’s no reason why you can’t catch them consistently with topwaters all year round.

The Redfish

The Redfish is a saltwater fish found in estuaries and coastal bays along the East Coast of the United States and into the Gulf of Mexico. They can grow up to 3 feet in length and weigh as much as 90 pounds, with the average size being between 10 and 15 pounds. They are carnivorous fish that feed on crabs, shrimp, fish, and various worms throughout the year. They are often caught using live or artificial shrimp, worms, and small fish. The redfish is a very active fish and often makes large splashes on the surface of the water as they feed. This can make them easy to spot and catch on a topwater lure.

Conditions for catching redfish on topwater lures

Redfish will only be actively feeding on topwater lures during the warmest months of the year, typically between May and August. During these months, water temperatures between 72-86 degrees Fahrenheit will stimulate the redfish to feed aggressively on surface lures. The best place to find redfish during this time is in shallow estuaries surrounded by grass flats and mudflats. The fish will congregate in these areas because the warm water is much more comfortable for them than the cooler water found further from the shore. Redfish will also be concentrated around structures like jetties, piers, and oyster reefs. The structure is used by baitfish as a way of escaping from predators like the redfish. The redfish will position themselves above the structure and feed on the baitfish as they try to escape.

What types of topwater lures are best for catching redfish?

The most important thing to remember when selecting a lure is that it must produce a lot of splashing noise and vibration as it hits the water. The purpose of this is to attract the attention of the redfish and communicate that there is a large and easy meal nearby. Topwater lures that produce a lot of vibration include spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and Carolina rigged soft plastics. These lures are best fished on a tight line and allowed to slowly come to rest on the surface. Topwater lures that produce a lot of noise include poppers, sliders, and topwater walkers. These lures are best fished with an erratic, steady retrieve to excite the redfish and get them to hit the lure.

- Use the weed line - The best places to catch spawning redfish during the summer are near the edges of grass beds and other aquatic vegetation. If the vegetation is thick, you should use a weedless topwater lure. - Be stealthy - Be as quiet as possible when moving around in shallow waters during the summer. You don’t want to scare off the redfish or disrupt their spawning areas. - Use scented soft plastics - Redfish are very sensitive to smell, so you will want to use scented soft plastics on your topwater lures. Scented plastics are great at attracting redfish.

Best times of the year to catch Redfish on topwater lures

The best time of the year to target redfish on topwater lures is between May and August. However, you can target redfish on topwater lures year round in the right conditions. Certain times of the year will provide you with better conditions for catching redfish on topwater lures than others. During the fall months, water temperatures begin to drop and the redfish are less active. They are also beginning to spawn, which means they have less energy to feed aggressively. This makes fall a less ideal time to target redfish on topwater lures. The winter months bring cooler water and less consistent weather, which can make it difficult to catch redfish on topwater lures. The spring months also have cooler water, but it is warmer and more consistent than the winter months. This makes spring a good time to target redfish on topwater lures.

Tips for catching redfish on topwater lures

Choose the right lure for the conditions: The first thing you need to do is look at the conditions and select the right lure for the job. Each topwater lure has its own action, sound, and frequency. These characteristics will determine how effective the lure will be in the conditions you find yourself in. If the conditions are right, you can catch redfish all year round with the right lures.

Fish the right depth: If you are fishing a buzzbait, you need to fish it as deep as possible, right up against the bottom. If you are fishing a popper, you need to fish it as shallow as possible, just above the bottom. The ideal depth will depend on the conditions and other factors, but you need to fish the lure at the right depth. - Cast your line as far as you can: One of the biggest mistakes people make when fishing topwater lures is not casting far enough. You need to cast your line as far as you can without losing control of your lure. This could be 25-30 feet or even more. If you can’t cast your lure far enough, you won’t be covering enough water.

Let it sit for a few seconds before reeling: Once you cast your lure, don’t reel it in right away. Let the lure sit on the surface of the water for a few seconds before reeling it in. This will allow the lure to vibrate and make noise, attracting the attention of nearby redfish. If you reel it in too quickly, you could miss the redfish that are interested in your lure. - Use the right gear: Casting heavy lures will make it difficult to control your cast. You need to use light gear that you can easily control. You also need to make sure that you maintain a tight line. Bending your rod too much can cause you to lose control of your lure. - Target structure: Redfish are often found around structures like jetties, piers, and oyster reefs. This is because the structure provides shelter for baitfish, which the redfish feed on. You need to fish your lure around these structures to increase your chances of catching redfish on topwater lures.

Fish Spooks for Redfish

A spook is a type of lure that is shaped like a herring. It was invented in the early 20th century and has been used as a topwater lure ever since. Spooks are made from a soft or hard plastic material. Spooks are best fished with a fast retrieve and a tight line. The best time to fish spooks for redfish is in the warmest months of the year, typically between May and August. You can also catch redfish on spooks at other times of the year, but the warmest months are best. You can target redfish in estuaries and along the edges of grass flats and mudflats. These are the areas where baitfish are often concentrated. Cast the spook into the water and reel it in with a steady, fast retrieve. You want to reel in as fast as you can without losing control. Maintain a tight line and have the lure coming back towards you at all times. Redfish are aggressive feeders and will often explode on spooks.

Redfish are an excellent species to target and can be fun to catch using many different techniques. Being familiar with their behavior patterns and preferred habitats can help you catch more redfish, and improve your overall fishing experience. Once you learn the signs of a feeding redfish, the best baits and lures to use, and the best times and places to fish for them, you will be well on your way to experiencing the excitement of catching these beautiful fish on topwater lures.

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