How To Catch Redfish In Shallow Water Like A Pro

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Sight fishing for redfish in shallow water is one of the most fun ways to catch them.

It’s such a rush to find them hunting, present your lure in their path, and then hear the scream of your reel as they smash your bait and pull drag.

But there are several things you need to do right before you can get to that point.

Where do you find redfish feeding in shallow water?

What lure do you use for these reds?

And how do you present that lure?

In this video, I’m going to answer these questions and more, plus show you some awesome shallow water fish-catching footage.

Let’s dive in!

How To Catch Redfish In Shallow Water [VIDEO]

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Lures mentioned:

If you want to catch more redfish in shallow water, here are three tips to do so:

Tip #1: Be in the right spot at the right time

You won’t find feeding redfish in just any area of shallow water.

My two favorite spots to find them are dead-end creeks or coves and open flats combined with some sort of structure.

You’ll often find reds cruising shorelines, feeding around oyster bars, or hunting near seagrass.

And if an area has depth change, such as a channel that runs near a flat, that’s a bonus, too.

As far as what time to find them feeding in these areas, the beginning of incoming tide is best.

They’ll push up into water a foot deep (or even less) because they know hunting in shallow water is easier because baitfish don’t have the option to swim up or down.

And you’ll know you’re in the right spot when you can see them tailing, smashing bait on the surface, or see mud plumes that tell you a redfish just darted off.

Tip #2: Use lures that imitate what they’re feeding

In shallow water, it’s pretty easy to tell what reds are feeding on.

If they’re waving their tails in the air that means they’re digging their noses in the mud looking for crustaceans.

If this is the case, use shrimp lures, like Gulp shrimp, or crab lures, like the Crusty Crab.

If they’re not tailing, they’re chasing baitfish.

You’ll know this for sure if you see them popping baitfish on the surface or sharking through the water chasing their prey.

When this happens, use baitfish imitation lures like topwater lures (I love this Yo-Zuri Pencil for reds in shallow water) or paddletails (I was using a MirrOlure Marsh Minnow in this video).

Tip #3: Present your lure the right way

All the time I hear about people finding fish, seeing what they’re eating, and throwing the right type of lure… but they just can’t get the reds to eat.

Why does that happen?

Usually, it’s because they didn’t present the lures correctly.

And this is devastating because they did all the hard work of finding them and being prepared with the right lure, but they couldn’t close the deal.

So how do you prevent that from happening to you?

By placing the lure in the right spot and retrieving it at the right speed.

The goal of this is for the redfish to think it found your lure, not the other way around.

To do that, look at where the fish is going, pitch your lure ahead of it, and retrieve it at the right speed so that the fish will run into it and think it’s an easy meal.

Conclusion

yo-zuri 3d inshore pencil redfish

Catching redfish in the shallows is a blast, and if you want to give yourself the best shot at being successful at it, do these three things:

  1. Fish dead-end creeks, coves, and flats at the beginning of an incoming tide
  2. Figure out what they’re feeding on (tailing reds are looking for crustaceans, sharking reds are feeding on baitfish) and throw the right type of lure
  3. Throw your lure ahead of where they’re going and intercept them on their path

Have any questions about catching redfish in the shallows?

Let me know in the comments.

And if you know someone who wants to catch more reds, please TAG or SHARE this with them!

P.S. Want access to our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store? Click here to join us in the Insider Club!

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Mike Allen
4 years ago

I grew up fishing with my grandfather. He passed while I was away in the army. But he would say he was working 4 days a week and fishing 3 and trying to figure out how to fish 4 and work 3. I learner a lot from him but came home from the service and went to work. Not a lot of fishing. Now I’m working 4 and wishing I was fishing 3. Hasn’t happened yet. 
Point, I haven’t heard from you ( a red fish feels every ripple in the area with their pecrial fins. Weather you are in a boat or even Wade fishing. That’s a way it knows 
something is there even another fish.) Hope this is helpful.
Fish On

WillIam Dozier
4 years ago

Love it 💪🏼. Helpful tips! Didn’t know that about tailing reds. Thanks brother!

Mark Tochtenhagen
4 years ago

Great video Wyatt!

Craig Gaffka
4 years ago

Nice job on a well put together tutorial!

A.J. Tucker
4 years ago

Hey the video won’t play anymore.

Alan Tucker
4 years ago
Reply to  Wyatt Parcel

“An error occurred. Please try again later.”

Last edited 4 years ago by Alan Tucker
Alan Tucker
4 years ago
Reply to  Wyatt Parcel

But all the other videos in other tips articles are working fine. I have iPhone 12pro FYI

Kenneth Kramerman
4 years ago

Thanks for the great tips. I had asked this before of someone else but never got an answer. What kind of kayak pants are you wearing? Just curious. Thank you.

Brian Hunter
4 years ago

Awesome suggestions and videos, Wyatt. Next week, I’ll be fishing some big tidal ponds on an island in the lowcountry of SC while on vacation (impoundments near tidal creeks with gates letting tidal flows in and out twice per day). And a cold front will drop temps about 10 degrees all next week. Any thoughts on how to approach that situation?

Brian Hunter
4 years ago
Reply to  Wyatt Parcel

Thanks Wyatt…rock on!

David Yarber
4 years ago

My friend and I took a trip with a local guide here in N.E. FL last year and the thing he stressed more than anything else was your 3 tips on presentation. The guide had us on tons of tailing reds but if you didn’t do exactly as you said, no bueno. It’s easy to get excited and just bomb into the middle of them but if they don’t spook they just ignore it. Solid info, Wyatt. Thanks.

Adam Bailey
4 years ago

Great video and breakdown, Wyatt! Congrats on getting that red to eat on the third cast. I felt like I was in my kayak and willing that fish to eat too haha!

Phillip Butler
4 years ago

Great info. Watched it twice 👍🏼

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