the five inch Fender Walker and they worked like a charm!
It’s mid-August as I write this forecast for September. At this time our population of breeding redfish is showing signs of the upcoming spawn. Groups of breeders which hold in predictable geographic locations are migrating towards their spawning grounds.
Soon the numbers of big redfish will escalate in portions of the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon. While there are several areas in both bodies of water where major spawning activity is considered typical I suspect there will be some spawning groups throughout the non-tidal regions of our estuary, including the Banana River Lagoon.
Once spawning activity begins these fish will feed voraciously on and off throughout the day. My favorite lures to catch a real trophy redfish is a big top-water plug. The seven inch Fender Walker from Banks Lures and Heddon’s Super Spook are among my favorites.
You’ll be doing a favor to the fish you hook and yourself if you’ll pinch the barbs down on your treble hooks. This little adjustment allows an easier unhooking of the plugs and reduces much of the stress the fish experiences from its fight and subsequent release. Be sure to take as much time as necessary to ensure your catch is able to swim away on its own.
While a big top-water plug is my favorite lure I also keep rods rigged with spoons and big soft plastic lures. I often have my anglers casting different types of lures to see if the fish have a preference.
a variety of different species. These big gaftop catfish may not be considered glamourous, but they sure do put up a fight. This family boated countless spotted seatrout, ladyfish and jacks too!
If lures are being ignored it time for natural bait.
For ease of storage I carry frozen finger mullet purchased at the tackle store. Pin one of these to a bucktail jig by running the hook from the underside of the chin through the soft spot in its skull and it will dot easily fall off. Of course a live finger mullet, pinfish or pogie offered up on a circle hook is sure to get a monster redfish’s attention. Remember to place your bait into the schools path as they move about. You’ll spook the fish far less often and get many more bites than dropping your bait on their collective heads.
Please, please, please, tackle up! The typical ten pound braid lines and light tipped rods we use for slot reds will land these huge fish. However, I maintain it is not sporting to “play” these fish for great amounts of time. It can do them harm by overworking them to complete exhaustion. Going to a heavier outfit with fifteen or twenty pound braid and a much tighter drag allows an angler to whoop their fish in short order without draining the energy reserves. BTW, you’ll notice the more pressure you put on them during the fight the more fight you’ll experience in return.