How To Catch BIG Redfish On tiny Lures (Even If They’re Extra Spooky)
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
“Elephants eat peanuts.”
If you’re sight fishing overslot redfish in clear, calm, shallow water, they can be extra spooky.
And a big, thumping paddletail in this scenario is likely to scare them off.
But a tiny lure that looks like candy just might be the ticket to you catching a new PB.
See how I caught this 40″ redfish on a 2″ lure in the video below, and learn how you can do the same!
Catching BIG Redfish On small Lures [VIDEO]
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And you can get the ChaseBaits Crusty Crab from our shop here.
When the water is deep, dark, and choppy, like if you’re fishing an inlet or pass, you’ll need a big lure that makes a lot of commotion to catch the fishes’ attention.
But it’s the opposite in calm, clear, shallow water.
The fish can see much better in this scenario and they’re much more likely to spook off, so you want to go with a stealthy lure.
On this trip, I caught this big red on the ChaseBaits Crusty Crab with a little bit of Pro-Cure on it.
I saw it swimming in front of me, tossed out the lure in front of it, then lifted the rod tip as it got closer to get it to strike.
He took me for a ride and almost got tangled around the kayak and anchor pin a few times, but I finally got him in!
Conclusion
Big redfish don’t get big by being stupid!
When they’re vulnerable in clear, shallow water, they’re extra spooky, so you’ll need a stealthy lure to get them to eat.
A ChaseBaits Crusty Crab or Savage Gear 3D Crab are perfect for this scenario.
Have any questions about using small lures for big fish?
Let me know down in the comments.
And if you know somebody who’s sick of seeing fish but not able to get them to bite, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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Another excellent presentation. The reds are just moving into the Winyah bay area where I live so I will try some. The fishing is mostly along the edge tall reeds as the fish are foraging on the bottom hoping the crabs will be coming out of the reeds. At high tide the reds actually go INTO the reeds in search of those crab critters.
Thank you for the great feedback David!
Great insight Tony
Thank you for the great feedback Pablo!
Great Video as always Tony! how do you cast that small bait any distance? 10 or 15LB line? Are you attaching any weight? I was going to purchase one but was unsure how far I could cast it. Thanks again for your videos & tips
Thanks Bob!
I use 10lb line. I don’t use any weight with it but it does have a weight built in.
Great job Tony but what about deep-sea would you use weight with the lure?
Thanks James!
These have a little bit of weight to them and can be used the way they are in up to about 5 feet of water. I haven’t used them any deeper and not too sure how they would perform with additional weight.
Great job Tony, that’s a huge Red. Have you figured a way to make those small crabs weed less? I know where I’m going to be throwing them there are several different types of grass. Widgeon and Shoal grass with Turtle grass in some areas. I think hitting the small potholes in the grass is going to be key in the Tampa Bay Area. Those crabs work great for Convicts, and I knew they have to work for nice Reds. I may just makeup some hook guards out of heavy mono. Thanks
Thanks Brian!
I haven’t tried anything to make them weedless. Most of the grass in my area is gone so its just mud and sand flats and/or hard structure such as docks and mangroves.
Thanks Tony. I like the Savage crab lure. You can use the Savage shrimp or crab lure on Tripletail, as well.
My pleasure Glenn! Good stuff!
Hi Tony,
What was special about the spot you were at? All I could see was mud plumes.
Hey Rick!
Here is a report I did from this area not too long ago:
https://www.saltstrong.com/insiders/winter-sightfishing-trip-2/
The Savage Gear crabs work well for snook too. I found that out fishing for Sheepshead this spring, in crystal clear water. When the fish get wise I’ve been known to go small with lures. Especially, when they’re specialized feeding on small bait like glass minnows.
Good to know! I’ve seen snook hit some interesting baits. Seen a guy catch a slot snook on a piece of clam while fishing for pompano.
This is so true. I’ve caught my biggest reds on tiny 1/8 oz. rattle traps. However, had to use relatively light tackle, because of the tiny hooks, Otherwise they straighten out.
My first biggest red was on a small mirrolure mirrodine. Definitely a good point to beef up your hooks if using smaller lures. This crab lure has a pretty strong thick hook though even though it’s smaller.
There’s something about those tiny lures that drive reds nuts. Unlike spec’s. I think it’s because of two factors. 1. Because they are always foraging around in the mud and grass for stuff to eat and most of what they find there is small, so they are use to that, and 2. because when they see those small baits, they probably think there is no way that little thing can get away or even take that much effort to track down and eat. Remember, elephants eat peanuts. 🙂
Hey, Tony. Great red! How do you rig this lure? Just tie it straight to the leader? Does it have enough weight to be able to cast it well? Thanks.
Thanks Stephen!
Yep I tie it directly to my leader using a loop knot. It casts ok if you use 10lb braid and a rod with a medium power and fast action to snap it out there. The weight is ideal on it but the issue with casting comes down to the shape of the lure. It’s not very streamlined for casting.