Best & WORST Ranked Redfish Lures For Winter
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
When that first real cold front hits, the entire game flips. Water temps crash. Bait vanishes. And the lures you trusted all fall suddenly stop working.
So Luke and I decided to break down every major winter lure style and grade them A through F based on what has consistently worked for us after decades on the water.
Some lure styles become absolute winter cheat codes.
Others quietly kill your chances before you ever make the first cast.
Here’s how they stack up.
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Featured Lures:
- Prawn USA Jr.
- 2.0 Paddletail
- Prawn USA Original
- The Mulligan 4″ Paddletail
- Flea Flicker (suspending twitch bait)
- Skinny Lipper Original
- Mulligan Bomber 5″ Paddletail
- Skinny Lipper XL
- Fat Lipper
- Wake Mullet
- Moonwalker (topwater)
Key Takeaways:
- The lure that earned an A plus this winter might surprise you.
- One popular lure category dropped all the way to an F.
- A small tweak in jig head weight made a massive difference.
- Some fall favorites drop several grades once the first front hits.
- One specific soft plastic outperformed everything else in cold water.
Final Thoughts:
Winter has its own rules, and the lures that crush it in spring or fall won’t always deliver when the temps drop. Every style has a window where it shines and a window where it falls flat. Knowing when to lean into each one is the real difference maker.
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Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish ever trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
I have a question for you guys, I recently had a family member join Salt Strong and hasn’t received his welcome gift. Do you still do this? Thanks.
Really great, informative video. Thanks guys!
thanks on the info
Great job on the winter ratings!
I would like to see where & how the polk co tweaker falls into this line-up (lure and riggings).
Thanks Guys!
This gives me ideas next time I get out. Thanks for this guys.
Glad you enjoyed, Jason!
I like the ratings you gave. I agree with what you suggested. I normally use the 3” paddle tails and Corkys.
Good stuff, Terry. We appreciate you
Great video. Always interested in getting info on the nuances affecting the catch rate. Keep them coming.
Thank you, John!! We appreciate you
Informative and fun video! When acquisition announced, bros are 100% in control of all SS decisions. Now . . . Gotta go as I can’t keep bossman waiting. And calling out the 15 yr. old moonbeam fleece pullover injected another light hearted moment. Hilarious Joe, keep’em coming.
Hahaha. It was definitely tongue-in-cheek… I was asked to be part of an executive leadership group to help take some of our best ideas at Salt Strong (like content, coaching, and community) over to Sportsman’s Guide. I had one of those calls that I had to jump on
Great video! Very helpful to know who season affects the fish and the lure choice!
Sad to see you now have a boss man! Hope the balance sheet difference is worth it!
Haha. It was a bit of a joke on the boss… the new owners are amazing
Great intel guys! Luv this video, definitely would like to see more like it!
Thank you, JD!