How To Catch GIANT Bull Redfish Under Bridges

What if I told you catching a 40” Redfish isn’t a “fish of a lifetime”? What if I told you anybody can go out right now and catch 10 if they waited long enough. That’s right, Bull Redfish are extremely easy to catch at bridges during the Spring through Fall. Today we’re going to run through a beginner friendly crash course on how to go out and catch your PB Redfish TODAY!

Use Proper Gear

The gear you choose is extremely important. Most folks show up way too light, or way too heavy. I’ve done both! The last thing you want is to finally hook into a giant and lose him in seconds. Not to mention, this type of fishing catches Red Snapper, Grouper, Tarpon, Black Drum and other large, aggressive species that you will NOT want to lose due to light gear. Here’s the average setup I use during most conditions.

• Rod – Medium Heavy to XXH
• Reel – 4500 to 6000
• Line – 30lb to 60lb
• Leader – 30lb to 80lb (light during clear and colder conditions, heavier when tight to cover)
• Weight – 3oz to 6oz Egg Sinker
• Swivel – Most swivels will work
• Hook – 2/0 to 5/0 circle hook

This provides a good range of gear that will work with this type of fishing. When the water is extremely calm, clear and colder, you’ll want to go as light as possible. When the fish are active but holding extremely tight to cover, you’ll need a very strong setup to horse them out quickly.

Best Bait

You can use a wide variety of bait. Even artificial! However, I never use artificial lures when fishing for these large, intelligent Redfish. It’s harder and takes more time. I ALWAYS use live bait. You can use a wide variety of live bait, depending on what you have available. Keep in mind, the larger your bait, the larger your hook. The smaller your bait, the smaller your hook.

Here’s my favorite bait to use for Bull Redfish

• Threadfin Herring
• Pinfish
• Blue Crabs (small and whole or large and cut)

You can also use

• Large Shrimp
• Bull Minnows

Where are The Fish Located?

The Bull Reds are always going to hold the deepest pilings. I always start immediately at the deepest spot, usually near the main channel. The very middle of the bridge also usually has other forms of cover like barrels or bridge fenders. This provides not only the deepest water but the most cover for the Bulls to ambush their prey.

The fish will always face into the current and stack on the side of the bridge in which the current is flowing. If your bridge is 50ft deep, these fish can stack anywhere from surface to bottom. During late Summer, you will have a chance for an EPIC topwater bite as these fish rise up and will HAMMER your topwater lures!

How to Fish for Redfish

Now, you’ve got the gear, bait and know where these Redfish stack. Now, how do you actually fish for them? Well, I like to start at the front of the piling, drop my bait to the bottom and let the tide naturally drift my boat along the piling. These fish will face INTO the current. Meaning, you’ll be naturally dragging your bait right into their faces and you float with the tide.

If you don’t have a graph and don’t know where the fish are hanging in the water column, no problem! Simply change your depth every once in a while during your drifts. Oftentimes, I get hammered while slowly reeling up the entire water column during a single drift! Experiment with different depths and once you start getting hit, stick to that.

Once You Get Ate

The #1 mistake new Bull Redfish anglers make when using live bait and circle hooks is setting the hook. That’s right! You DO NOT EVER set the hook using circle hooks and live bait. Let the bait do the work and once you know the Redfish has taken your bait, let him fully eat it. Do not set the hook but rather let the Redfish pull against you.

I don’t start fighting until the Redfish is pulling my rod into the water and I know 100% he’s hooked. Next, simply reel into the fish and do not set the hook. Make sure your drag is TIGHT because these will fight unbelievably hard. Try your best to pull the fish as far away from the bridge as possible with your trolling motor.

The Release

Finally! You’ve caught your first Bull Redfish! Now what? It’s extremely important to use fish grips and never hold these massive fish by their gill plates. Also, get your photos FAST and return them back to the water. You’ll likely have to revive the fish and maybe even vent the fish. Make sure you have a venting tool onboard at all times in case the Redfish can’t swim back to the bottom on their own.

In Conclusion

Bull Redfish fishing is my favorite type of fishing on planet Earth. If the fish are hungry, you can keep catching these monsters all day long. The most Bull Reds over 38” I’ve caught in 2 hours was 7 Redfish. I had to leave because I was so sore! These are beautiful creatures that are not hard to catch with the right approach. Treat and handle them with respect and you’ll be catching these hogs on demand!

Tight lines and GOD BLESS!

-Greyson