Even pros know there are times when reaching into that bag of tricks is necessary for a successful day of redfish fishing in Hilton Head, SC. After all, you can’t just rely on luck (though that can help). We know both strategy and experience play a huge role in determining the outcome of your fishing trip. Here we share some of the tricks of the trade that will help make these war fish bite.
The “No-Brainer” Rig
Many veteran anglers swear by the “no-brainer” rig. This is a simple design consisting of a ¼ to 3/8-ounce egg sinker tightly snugged on the shank of a 5/0 circle hook (with an up-turned eye). This trick almost guarantees a solid hook-set when fishing natural bait, without the usual snapping of the rod. Why? The circle hook sets automatically in the corner of a fish’s mouth 90% of the time, so this type of rig is great for catch-and-release.
Here’s a pro redfish fishing tip: bait with a chunk of blue crab or similar meat. Then resist the urge to check your line every two seconds; leave it alone until a fish takes the bait and rod bows.
Grass Roots
Use the coast to your advantage. Try pitching soft-plastic lures rigged weedless to reds amid spartina grass in coastal areas. You can catch redfish by poling your skiff through the grass while looking for fish. Look for open areas with submerged grass. The water should be about 2 to 3 feet deep.
The key is to find areas inside creeks and over mud flats during high tides. This is when the fish swim through the grass and can be aggressive.
Pro redfish tip: a good go-to lure is a paddle tail lure resembling a finger mullet, rigged weedless on a 1/16 to 1/8-ounce weighted hook.
Scent of a Lure
Did you know that redfish rely heavily on their sense of smell rather than their eyesight? Therefore, scented lures can prove successful in catching redfish. Liquid scents come in a bunch of colors, flavors, and consistencies. You’ll have to experiment with different options and brands along with different lures until you find the right combination.
It’s a Fluke
The soft-plastic jerkbaits (like the Zoom Salty Super Fluke) are good to use when catching redfish. In shallow waters near Hilton Head Island, you can rig the fluke weightless while in deeper waters of a offshore fishing trip, you’ll want to weight it down a bit so it gets to the bottom where redfish usually prowl.
Now that you know the ins and outs from the pros, it’s time to book your next chartered fishing trip with us here in beautiful Hilton Head Island! To learn more about redfish, our fishing charters, or more about our team, give us a call at (843) 816-4150.