Top Lures for Redfish: Expert Picks for Maximum Catch

Experts recommend a range of lures to boost redfish catch rates. Soft plastics like Egret Wedgetail Mullet and Z-Man DarterZ are top-tier choices, providing vibrations that help redfish find food in dark waters. Shrimp imitations, such as LiveTarget shrimp and DieZel MinnowZ, are also effective. Crustacean-inspired lures like Z-Man Kicker CrabZ and live blue-claw crabs can't be beaten. Topwater plugs like Heddon Super Spook Jr. and Rebel Jumpin Minnow drive redfish crazy, while spoons like Johnson Silver Minnow and jerkbaits like Gulp! Saltwater Jerk Shad are also winners. Now, discover the complete list of expert-approved lures to take your redfish game to the next level.

Key Takeaways

• Soft plastic lures like Egret Wedgetail Mullet and Yum Money Minnow are effective for redfish, providing vibrations that help them find food in dark waters.
• Shrimp imitations, including live shrimp and soft-plastic shrimp, offer excellent action and can be used to create a natural presentation.
• Crustacean-inspired lures, such as Z-Man Kicker CrabZ and live blue-claw crabs, imitate crustaceans in areas like oyster bars, where redfish often congregate.
• Topwater lures like Heddon Super Spook Jr. and Rebel Jumpin Minnow drive redfish crazy with their side-to-side action, particularly effective in clear waters.
• Jerkbaits and swimbaits, such as Z-Man DarterZ and MirrOlure Lil John, mimic the appearance and frantic movements of injured baitfish, a weakness of redfish.

Top Redfish Lures of the Season

When it comes to targeting redfish, several lures consistently produce results, and these top performers of the season are worth having in your tackle box. Among the best redfish lures, the Johnson Silver Minnow spoon is a classic choice, particularly in shallow waters. Its reflective surface and subtle action make it irresistible to redfish. For a more aggressive approach, topwater plugs like the Heddon Super Spook Jr. create a commotion that attracts redfish, making them ideal for areas with heavy cover. Soft plastics, such as curly or shad-tail versions, are also effective artificial baits for redfish, providing vibrations that help them find food in dark waters. These lures excel in sight casting, allowing anglers to target specific fish. With these top performers in your arsenal, you'll be well-equipped to catch redfish in various environments. By incorporating these lures into your fishing routine, you'll increase your chances of landing these prized fish. Remember, having the right lures is essential to successful redfish fishing, so make sure to stock up on these seasonal standouts.

Soft Plastic Favorites for Redfish

Soft-plastic enthusiasts swear by a few select favorites that consistently tempt redfish, and these top-tier lures are worth adding to your arsenal. For instance, the Egret Wedgetail Mullet is a soft-plastic swimbait that's evolved into a redfish killer along the Texas coast. The 5½-inch Wedgetail resembles a swimming mullet and kicks out a lot of vibration, with Limeade and White Diamond being the best colors. Another excellent soft-plastic swimbait is the 3½-inch Yum Money Minnow, which features a vibrating tail that's definitely worth trying for redfish. In clear water, soft-plastic jerkbaits like the Z-Man DarterZ and MirrOlure Lil John twitchbaits are top picks, best fished on a light spinning rig and 12-pound line. The darting action draws strikes from reds that aren't even hungry. Additionally, Z-Man's realistic Kicker CrabZ is a top soft bait for redfish that's easy to rig on a weighted worm hook or jig head. These soft plastics are must-haves for any serious redfish angler, whether you're fishing the Gulf of Mexico or south Texas.

Shrimp Imitations That Get Bites

Redfish anglers know that shrimp imitations are a staple in their tackle box, and for good reason – they consistently produce bites in a variety of habitats and presentations. Whether using live shrimp, soft-plastic shrimp, or a combination of both, shrimp imitations are a reliable choice for catching redfish.

Here are some top shrimp imitations that get bites:

1. Live shrimp: Hooked through the rear of its horn, live shrimp under a popping cork is a deadly combination. Fresh-dead shrimp also works well, threaded on the hook or rigged Texas-style, and can be used in various habitats including grassflats and oyster bars.
2. DieZel MinnowZ: Z-Man's soft-plastic shrimp imitation can be rigged weedless on a Mustad Weighted Grip Pin hook for targeting redfish in grass and oyster bars.
3. LiveTarget shrimp: This soft-plastic shrimp imitation incorporates a small rattle inside and comes in 3- and 4-inch sizes, available in 10 color schemes.
4. Curly tail and shad-tail soft-plastic shrimp: These imitations offer excellent action and can be used to create a natural presentation, rigged weedless on a hook for maximum effectiveness.

Crustacean-Inspired Lures for Redfish

Beyond shrimp imitations, anglers targeting redfish also rely on crustacean-inspired lures that mimic the appearance and action of blue-claw crabs, fiddler crabs, and other crustaceans that inhabit their favorite haunts. In northeast Florida marsh country, live blue-claw crabs are a popular bait for redfish, especially for bull reds over 30 pounds. To make them more appealing, anglers often remove the hard shell and claws, and prefer circle hooks over J hooks. Soft plastic crab imitations, such as the Z-Man Kicker CrabZ, are also effective and easy to rig on a weighted worm hook or jig head. These lures can be used to imitate crustaceans in areas like oyster bars, where redfish often congregate. By using crustacean-inspired lures, anglers can capitalize on the redfish's natural instinct to feed on these crustaceans. With the right presentation and lure selection, anglers can experience maximum catch rates and land trophy redfish.

Topwater Lures for Explosive Action

Targeting redfish with topwater lures is a surefire way to ignite explosive action, as these baits create a commotion that resonates with the fish's natural instinct to strike.

Topwater lures are ideal for catching redfish in shallow water, where they can create a ruckus that attracts aggressive fish. Here are some top picks for topwater lures:

1. Heddon Super Spook Jr.: A topwater plug that drives redfish crazy with its side-to-side action, particularly effective in clear waters with a chrome-and-blue or spectrum finish.
2. Rebel Jumpin Minnow: A versatile option that comes in two sizes, with a bone color that's good in most conditions, but switch to copper-and-orange in stained water or overcast conditions.
3. Cotton Cordell Jointed Red Fin: A noisy, jerk-jerk-jerk retrieve that creates a commotion, attracting redfish in the surf off Curlew Island.
4. Topwater Plug: Ideal for heavy cover areas, creating a commotion that attracts redfish and provides an exciting and visual strike.

These topwater lures can bring out the aggressiveness in otherwise lethargic redfish, making them a great choice for catching them in shallow water. With the right topwater lure, you'll be ready to ignite explosive action on your next redfish adventure.

Subsurface Redfish Lures to Try

When the topwater frenzy subsides, anglers can turn to subsurface lures that mimic the natural prey hiding beneath the surface, where redfish often lie in wait. Soft-plastic jigs with plastic or scented tails are a popular choice, with D.O.A. CAL jigs being an effective option. Soft bodies provide vibrations that help redfish find food in dark waters, and curly tail and shad-tail versions have excellent action. Soft plastic swimbaits are also a go-to for redfish fishing, covering finfish, shrimp, and crab imitations. The Storm Wildeye Swim Shad is a great choice for catching inshore slam, with its smallest versions suitable for flats work and bigger ones for deeper water. For a more aggressive approach, soft plastic jerkbaits like the fluke are a popular choice, featuring a tapered baitfish shape and 2-pronged tail. These lures offer a slower sink rate, allowing anglers to target redfish at varying depths. Berkley Gulp and Johnson Silver Minnow are other top contenders for best redfish bait, offering enticing paddle tails that trigger strikes.

Spoon Lures for Redfish Success

Anglers seeking to capitalize on redfish's instinctual attraction to shiny, injured baitfish can't go wrong with spoon lures, which expertly mimic the flash and flutter of a wounded prey. These versatile lures can be used for both blind casting and sight fishing, making them a great option for redfish anglers.

When it comes to spoon lures, redfish seem to have a particular fondness for:

1. Johnson Silver Minnow: A classic choice, this spoon lure's silver finish and slender profile make it irresistible to red drum.
2. Minnow spoon: Its smaller size and more subtle action make it perfect for finicky redfish.
3. Heavy spoons: Useful for reaching deeper waters, these spoons can be retrieved quickly to imitate a baitfish fleeing from predators.
4. Spoon lures with a red or orange tint: These add an extra layer of realism, mimicking the color of an injured baitfish.

With spoon lures, redfish anglers can experience the thrill of a strong bite and a fierce fight. They're a best lure for many anglers, and for good reason – they consistently produce results.

Jerkbaits and Swimbaits for Redfish

Redfish enthusiasts can further exploit the species' weakness for injured baitfish by deploying jerkbaits and swimbaits, which not only mimic the appearance of prey but also replicate its frantic movements. On clear flats, soft plastics like Z-Man DarterZ and MirrOlure Lil John twitchbaits are top picks, best fished on a light spinning rig and 12-pound line. The darting action of these jerkbaits draws strikes from reds that aren't even hungry, making them ideal for pitching structure, such as docks and mangroves. To get the most out of these lures, rig them on a super lightweight 1/16- or 1/32-ounce jig head to facilitate a quick drop and subtle action. When the reds are skittish, the MirrOlure Lil John's flashy finish and built-in scent make it a sexy choice. For added allure, the Gulp! Saltwater Jerk Shad features a scent that leads reds right to it, and its suppleness makes them think it's live prey, holding on to it for a longer time.

Best Fly Patterns for Redfish

Three expertly crafted fly patterns stand out for their ability to deceive even the wariest redfish: the Borski Critter Crab, Homer Rhodes Streamer, and others that accurately mimic the species' natural food sources. These patterns are designed to imitate the redfish's favorite snacks, such as:

1. Shrimp: Delicate, lifelike imitations that dance in the water column.
2. Crabs: Realistic patterns with prominent eyes and claws that tempt redfish.
3. Baitfish: Streamers and spoons that mimic the frenzied movements of fleeing bait.
4. Spoons: Metallic lures that flash and wobble, imitating injured fish.

When choosing the best fly pattern for redfish, consider the water conditions. In clear water, redfish can be more selective, while in murky water, they're more aggressive. Fly patterns that incorporate movement and action, such as streamers and spoons, are often the most effective. By matching the local forage and considering the water conditions, anglers can increase their chances of landing a trophy redfish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Number 1 Fishing Lure?

According to experts, live shrimp takes the top spot as the number 1 fishing lure, outperforming soft plastics and other designs due to its natural appeal, adaptability to various fishing techniques, and durability in diverse water conditions.

What Is the Best Bait for Redfish This Time of Year?

During winter, she relies on fresh-dead shrimp or frozen mullet for sluggish redfish, while in spring and summer, live shrimp under a popping cork is her go-to, along with crustacean imitations and soft plastics for added success.

Will Redfish Hit Topwater Lures?

She finds that redfish consistently hit topwater lures, especially with a surface strike, as they're drawn to the commotion and can't resist the lure selection, regardless of water conditions or tidal impact, triggering an aggressive redfish reaction.

What Are the Best Twitch Baits for Redfish?

As the ancient Greeks sought the Oracle of Delphi, modern anglers seek the holy grail of twitch baits for redfish; experts recommend opting for soft spines, versatile color options, and adjusting retrieve speed according to water conditions.

Conclusion

As the sun dips below the marshy horizon, the redfisherman's quest for the perfect lure comes full circle. The secrets shared here are the threads that weave together the tapestry of a successful catch. With these expert picks, the angler's rod becomes a magic wand, conjuring up the mighty redfish from the depths. The hunt is on, and with these lures, the prize is within grasp.