By: Eric Henson
Well as you all probably already know, this is generally the hottest month out of the year! But even though it is RED HOT outside. It can be absolutely RED HOT REDFISHING this time of year! Not only do the BIG reds start to show up but, they also start to show up in BIG numbers. If you are in the right place at the right time, the water will turn red with hundreds of them stacked together. You better be ready because they can show up and disappear like ghosts in a matter of seconds.
Make sure and be prepared by having your favorite bait ready to go, whether it be topwater lure, soft-plastic, or live. Once you know where these fish are, the best time to target the schooling fish is first thing in the morning before anybody else has found them. Usually in a kayak you can catch a couple out of a school before they either get scared, stop feeding, or take off into deeper water where they are much tougher to target. My favorite baits for schooling fish are artificial baits like the Bone colored Yo-Zuri 3DB or natural colored soft plastics like the Monster 3X X-MOVE. A lot of times these fish will get competitive for their food and reaction style artificial bait does the trick!
If they are being stubborn… You can sneak up to them with live bait or piece of cut bait to let them come and sniff it out. Redfish have great sense of smell so you just must be patient and play the waiting game. Even the days they aren’t being cooperative it is still a good idea to pay attention to your surroundings like the tide, what food source is in the water around you at the time, etc. The more you learn about why they are there it will help you locate them in other places. Knowledge will make you a better fisherman or woman so never stop learning!
Until next time… You guys stay cool, hydrated, and safe while enjoying the RED-HOT SUMMER because fall is right around the corner. Tight lines and Tight knots to everyone!
