How To Catch Big Redfish, Trout, & Snook In Clear, Shallow Water
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
Some of the biggest fish I catch are in clear, shallow water.
They’re in this skinny water hunting for an unassuming school of baitfish or foraging for crustaceans, so they’re usually looking to eat.
However, because the water is so clear and shallow, they’re on high alert, so they’re easily spooked off.
In this video, I’m going to give you five tips to catch fish in these conditions.
You’ll learn:
- When the best times to fish shallow water are
- How to be more stealthy (so you don’t spook the fish off)
- The best lures to use in these conditions
- A recent change I made that helped me catch the big trout pictured above
- And more
Plus, I’ll also show you these tips in action with a clip from one of my recent fishing trips where I caught a really nice speckled trout.
Check out the video below!
How To Catch Fish In Clear & Shallow Water [VIDEO]
Click here to grab a pack of Alabama Leprechauns (the lure I was using in this video)
Click here to see the Insider Report (Insiders only)
- Avoid being embarrassed when friends or co-workers ask: “Catch Anything?”
- Make your friends so jealous they’ll start asking you for fishing advice
- Plus, Save hundreds on your fishing tackle with exclusive discounts
Click here to join the Insider Club TODAY
Here are five tips to catch fish in clear, shallow water:
Tip #1: Fish at dawn and dusk.
When the sun is low, it’s hard for baitfish to see predators, so gamefish come up into the shallows to feed at this time.
But it’s not just baitfish that have trouble seeing — the predator fish will have trouble seeing you, so you’re more likely to sneak up on them.
Tip #2: Be stealthy.
Just because they can’t see very well doesn’t mean they can’t sense you.
They can feel pressure changes in the water with their lateral lines, so if you’re paddling, don’t make big, strong pulls with your paddle.
And if you’re using a trolling motor, keep it on the lowest setting.
Tip #3: Make long, accurate casts.
The farther you are from the fish, the more likely they won’t be spooked, so long casts will let you put your lure in front of them without letting them know you’re there.
And speaking of long accurate casts…
Tip #4: Use light line.
10 lb. braid (or even 8 lb. braid if the fish are very finicky) is best in these situations.
It allows for long casts, plus thinner line makes less vibration in the water than thicker line.
Also, you might want to scale down your leader, too.
I used 15 lb. leader on this trip (I normally use 20 lb. leader) and I was still able to land that nice trout.
Tip #5: Use a stealthy lure.
Paddletails, topwater lures, or other lures that make a lot of vibration in the water are more likely to spook off a fish in these calm conditions.
Instead, use a stealthy lure like a jerk shad or artificial shrimp.
I’ve been using the Alabama Leprechaun recently and have been catching a lot of fish with it.
As far as hooks go, I like to use a 1/16 oz weighted hook here, but you could even use a bare hook.
Conclusion
When you’re targeting big fish in shallow water, the name of the game is stealth.
These fish are easily spooked, so be as quiet as you can, make long casts, and scale down your tackle and lures.
Have any questions about catching big fish in shallow water?
Let us know in the comments below!
And if you know someone who wants to learn how to catch big fish, 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!
P.P.S. To see exactly where I was fishing, check out the Insider Report here (Insiders only).
Stop Wasting Your Valuable 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
- 20% OFF ALL of your fishing tackle (rods, reels, line, lures, and more from ALL of the biggest brands in America)
Click here to join today.
Related Articles:
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 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 yak fish gin clear glassy shallow flats frequently in Tarpon Bay backwaters, Sanibel. I really appreciate this advice!! I’ve been using paddletails a bit too much in these steathy situations.
No problem Oliver!
Great video Tony!
That tip on downsizing your leader is money! I believe that alone has increased my catch ratio.
Thanks Pat!
So how about when you are in a honey hole and you’re working one specific area that they just keep biting in? Every time you have one on the line they are changing the water pressure by thrashing and shaking as you are trying to net it. Why do they continue to bite if the pressure keeps changing?
And if we are going by that logic, shouldn’t we be continuously moving after catching a fish in an area? It all makes sense, but I’m just curious because I feel like that doesn’t always apply.
Thanks,
Tanner
If fish are thrashing around it doesn’t always spook others nearby. For all those other fish know, it could be another fish just chasing bait and actively feeding, and those other fish aren’t a threat to the others. It is sudden pressure changes that fish don’t see. If they see whats happening its a bit different.
Think of it like being in a room when someone walks in. If you don’t see them walk in, you can almost feel their presence as they come in due to the pressure change in the room. It sort of puts you on alert, as opposed to visibly seeing someone walk in.
Fantastic tips Tony and what a beautiful trout. Not sure if I missed it on the video but why the 3ft leader? Also currently don’t having a trolling motor so I use a push pole I will definitely try these tactics this Sunday.
Thanks Jonathan!
The longer leader is for more of an advantage of having your lure further away from the braid (more of a clear section of line for added stealth)
Hey Tony, great advice, thanks. Under those conditions what tide would you favor, an incoming or outgoing?
Water clarity is usually cleaner on an incoming tide since cleaner ocean water is coming in. Outgoing tide can usually be a bit dirtier as water from the shallows and muddy areas is now being pulled out. So in general under very clean and calm water conditions
Couldn’t agree more, Tony. Here’s hoping the lagoon over by you is recovering from all its problems.
It’s definitely not getting any better, but have been seeing more “cleaner” looking water lately more than usual.
Hey Tony! Great video. I know its a bit old but hopefully you still see this response :D. I am going to try to employ some of these tactics beach fishing for snook on Fort Myers Beach. Currently im using the 3 inch slam shady on a 1/16 weighted hook, with 30 lb leader. Fish mostly just seem to get spooked. Whats the lowest leader line you think i could get away with targeting big beach snook? Also does color of the jerk shad matter when fishing clear water? Thanks!
Hey Greg!
When beach fishing for snook you really don’t want to go any lighter than 30lb leader. If anything you may get away with 25lb. I prefer to use the slam shady on a 1/4oz jig head when fishing the beach so I can make longer casts. If you are trying to sight fish the snook it can be really tough because if you can see them, they can see you. Thats where blind casting and being able to make longer casts can help.
Also, white jerk shads can be best in clear water. I would try the Man Scented Jerk Shadz in the Slam Shady color. We currently have the 4 inch but should have some 5 inch ones coming in soon (you may also be able to grab some at your local tackle shop):
https://fishstrong.com/collections/saltwater-lures/products/slam-shady-scented-jerk-shadz?variant=37546859331758
Appreciate it man! What about retrieval? We have no current here on Fort Myers Beach so they are very aware of vibrations. Also should i try wading out to keep the lure in the strike zone for the entire retrieve? I usually stay about 5-10 feet off the waters edge and cast mostly diagonally. Also, Since we have no current, Which tides do you think are best? Am i better off just fishing twilight times regardless of tides?
I always enjoy your videos Tony. I haven’t had any luck with the Alabama Leprechaun. It’s good to see it working as I’ve purchased a few packs. Thanks again
Tony,
Thank you, Your presentations set the bar high.
Thanks Tony excellent video. As always good stuff man.????????
Thanks Stan!