Best Cut Bait For Redfish
When it comes to predatory ability, redfish are well-equipped for chasing down or digging up their meals. Nevertheless, these brawny eating machines will never pass up a smelly, inanimate snack.
That means fresh cut bait, and fortunately, the same environment where you’ll often find redfish offers several effective options. Given the red’s schooling nature, there’s not much these highly competitive gluttons won’t eat. That being said, you can’t go wrong with a handful of commonly available species.
Mullet
Often found in the same areas as redfish, these ambling vegetarians are good indicators of healthy, vibrant waters. Because they typically run in schools or smaller pods, it’s fairly easy to capture a bunch of mullet in one skillful castnet throw.
Adult mullet are thick and meaty, so each one yields several redfish-tempting chunks. No need to filet or debone your fresh bait, simply cut off the tail and chop it into chunks right down the length of the body.
Long and lanky, these big-eyed bait stealers are a common bycatch for anglers seeking trout, snook, and smaller reds over grass flats. To target ladyfish, work a Mustad Inshore Darter Jig Head with your favorite paddle tail or curly tail plastic body in a peppy cadence.
Known as the poor man’s tarpon, ladyfish have impressive leaping ability that often leads to dislodged hooks. Don’t worry if your fish comes unbuttoned, just keep the bait moving, and you’ll probably find another taker.
Threadfin Herring
An inshore and coastal favorite, this hardy baitfish also known as “greenbacks,” is found over grass flats, around piers and bridges, and in deeper channels. In shallow water, you’ll see the threadfins flashing as they move across the grass and sand. When you find them off the beaches or in deeper spots inside the bays, dark masses marked with surface “raining” will point you to the mobile bait shop.
Depending on depth, a couple of castnet throws will give you all you need for a day of chumming and fishing. Another option — a Mustad Sabiki Rainbow Poly rig. Add a 1-ounce weight and jiggle your multi-hook rig in the bait school until you “load up” with fresh greenbacks.
Presentation
Use a Mustad filet or bait knife to cut your bait into 1 1/2- to 2-inch chunks and present them on an appropriately sized Mustad Demon Offset Circle hook. Free lining works for short to medium casts in shallow water, but when you need more distance or you’re fishing deeper areas, go with a weighted presentation.
One of your most effective natural bait rigs — the knocker — comprises a slip sinker placed on the leader, followed by a rigging bead to protect the knot tied to your Mustad Demon Offset Circle hook. The knocker rig shines because the leader freely slides through the weight, so a redfish can pick up the bait without immediately feeling tension from the weight.
With any of your cut bait options, chop nickel-sized pieces for fresh chumming, and you’ll increase your chances of a redfish finding your hooked bait. Positioning uptide of where you suspect the fish are located, sling a handful of chum chunks behind the boat and let the tide carry the scent to the redfish.
When a fish picks up your hooked bait, simply reel tight and let that circle hook do its job of securely hooking the fish. At that point, keep your rod tip bent, maintain steady pressure, and enjoy the fight.