Bass gear for redfish

[kykayak]

I am planning a trip to Florida later this year and bringing my kayak with me. I'd like to target redfish in the rivers and lagoons. And, I've always heard you can catch them on bass gear. I'm interested in the type of bass lures and gear i should use that would be most productive with redfish. 

[georgeyew]

You can use bass gear for redfish. But it might be better to use a softer rod instead of XF actions since the redfish can get pretty big, you don't want the hooks to rip out. Spinnerbaits, swimbaits and topwater walking baits work with them. I see a lot of people use spinning gear with them because it tends to get window out in the open where they roam.

[Chris at Tech]

I us spinning gear for my inshore fishing.  10-20 lb. braid

 

While you can catch them on bass lures like flukes, spooks, etc. I would always suggest spending a few bucks at the local tackle store to get their advice.

 

DOA shrimp, DOA paddletails, DOA Jerkbaits, Gulp plastics, gold spoons, mirrodines, popping corks...none of those will break the bank

[Catt]

Chrome Rat-L-Trap ?

[bigbassin']

Any idea what part of Florida?  The east coast and west coast fish very different structure and depth wise.  For example those tailing redfish along clear grass flats I'm sure you've seen are typically on the east.  Gulf reds will hold off oysters bars in 3 to 4 foot of water a lot of times, so you won't see them tailing.  Gulf reds are typically less spooky, you can throw a spook for them all year.  Covering water is ideal, basically fishing those oysters like your bass fishing riprap and trying to cover as much water blindcasting as possible until you put down a pattern.  Other side of the state a t-rigged fluke is my go to, and grass in 18 inches of water will hold fish.

 

Spoons, DOA, Gulp, and swimbaits all work as well.  Popping corks as someone else mentioned are very popular.  At the end of the day, they'll hit what you throw at them if they're hungry.  My pb is on a trickworm fast twitching on top, I know guys that carolina rig ribbontails and catch fish, I've heard of sqaurebills being used around oysters.  Bass tackle can catch them no problem.

1 hour ago, Catt said:

Chrome Rat-L-Trap ?

How deep do you fish for reds typically?  I would think a rattletrap would just be a headache on y'alls flats if they're as shallow as I thought.

[Catt]

25 minutes ago, bigbassin' said:

How deep do you fish for reds typically? 

I would think a rattletrap would just be a headache on y'alls flats if they're as shallow as I thought.

 

Rat-L-Traps, give me 2' of water & up ?

 

Another killer lure, Norton Sand Eel Jr 4 1/2" on a lead head!

[greentrout]

 

The Heddon Baby Torpedo is used for shore fishing for Reds on the Mississippi Gulf Coast...many fish in waders at the Biloxi Light House over to Bay St. Louis...contrary to what some may think Reds do hit top waters hard...watch 'em shoot straight up high if they miss...exhilarating...  

 

 

 

 

[Catt]

@greentrout over here in Louisiana we fish a lot of brackish marshes, it's not unusual to catch Bass & Reds on buzzbaits.

[dave]

YES!

 

 

 

[soflabasser]

Lots of good responses. I have caught the majority of my redfish on bass fishing tackle and even gone as light as 8 pound test mono to catch a bull red. Make sure to have a good reel with a smooth drag since redfish are well known for making long runs.