How To Catch Bull Redfish (With Cut Bait)
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
If you want some drag-pulling, reel-screaming, rod-bending action, then you’re in the right place.
Nothing checks those boxes like a 40-inch bull redfish.
And here’s the deal: to catch these guys we’re not poling around mangrove islands, trying to be as quiet as we can, hunting for a spooky snook, trying to pitch our lure in the perfect spot.
Of course, I love sight fishing, and there’s a time and place for that, but that’s not what we’re talking about here.
This is lobbing out a fresh chunk of cut bait, busting out the sandwich, and waiting for the reel to start singing.
In the first video below, I’ll share some tips on how I use cut bait, what I use, and the best ways to hook and present it.
Then I’ll dive into more tips on things like:
- What equipment you need to catch bull redfish with cut bait
- What types of spots are most likely to hold bull redfish
- When to find bull redfish
- And much more!
Enjoy!
(P.S. If you want the best local fishing spots and to stay up to date with what and where the fish are biting, join us in the Insider Club!)
Using Cut Bait For Bull Redfish [VIDEO]
To see exactly where I was fishing and why, join the Insider Club
Were those monster reds or what?!
They were a blast!
Here’s the equipment I was using for them:
- Rod: 7′ 6″ Shimano Talavera Medium-Heavy Action
- Reel: Shimano Nasci 3000
- Main line: 10# Power Pro
- Leader: 3-4′ of 20# Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon
- Hook: 5/0 Owner Mutu Light Circle Hook
Best Cut Baits
In this video, I was using a chunk of cut mullet.
Mullet in the 10-12-inch range is typically my go-to fish for cut bait, but here are some other good options:
- Ladyfish (second choice)
- Pinfish (third choice)
When cutting up these baitfish, I like to cut the tail off then use a 2-4 inch chunk.
And although I discard the tail, the head can be great for catching big reds.
Another thing to keep in mind with these baits is that fresh is best.
Try to avoid frozen baits because they can:
- Turn mushy and easily fall off the hook
- Smell different than fresh cut bait (and not attract as many fish)
- Attract more catfish
Watch this video for some tips on how to best throw a cast net.
How To Throw A Cast Net [VIDEO]
Pretty easy right?
Now, the next things you’ll want to know are when and where to use cut bait, and what equipment you’ll want for an easy and clean(ish) trip.
Watch the video below to answer those questions and more!
Want To Solve Your #1 Redfish Catching Problem Right Now?
After surveying over 7,000 inshore anglers about their top problems in consistently catching redfish, we found that it all boils down to a half-dozen core mistakes (aka – “Redfish Skunk Factors”).
So we made this custom analysis tool to help you solve your #1 problem: Click here to get started
Catching Redfish With Cut Bait [VIDEO]
As you can see, this method is pretty deadly when it comes to catching monster redfish.
Equipment You’ll Need For Using Cut Bait
If you want to not destroy your boat or kayak, or have it smelling like dead fish, make sure to bring these items with you:
- A cutting board. You don’t want to be cutting into your gel coat or kayak accidentally
- A knife
Having these items will make cutting up baitfish much cleaner and easier.
Where & When To Use Cut Bait For Bull Redfish
Here are some of my favorite types of spots to use cut bait for bull reds:
- Potholes in grass flats
- Deeper Edges of Flats
- Bridges/Docks/Jetties
- Inlets/Passes/Barge Canals (Late Summer Through Fall)
Late summer through fall is when I typically have the most luck with bull reds because that’s when they’re stuffing themselves for spawning season.
Conclusion
Using cut bait is one of my favorite tactics to catch bull redfish.
I like to use a 2-4 inch chunk of mullet on a circle hook and toss it onto a sandy pothole on a grass flat, although ladyfish and pinfish around other structure such as passes, inlets, bridges, docks and jetties work as well.
Have any questions about catching bull redfish with cut bait?
Let me know in the comments below!
And if you want to know exactly where I was fishing when I caught those bull reds, as well as get the best fishing spots in the whole southeast, join us in the Insider Club!
Want To Solve Your #1 Redfish Catching Problem Right Now?
After surveying over 7,000 inshore anglers about their top problems in consistently catching redfish, we found that it all boils down to a half-dozen core mistakes (aka – “Redfish Skunk Factors”).
So we made this custom analysis tool to help you solve your #1 problem: Click here to get started
Related articles:
- The Best Lures For Redfish [Answer With Video Proof]
- Sight Fishing For Bull Redfish [Florida vs. Louisiana]
- How To Rig Blue Crab (For Big Bull Redfish & Black Drum)
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Great video Tony!
Fresh is always best, but if you have to use frozen, use the offshore Grouper trick of brining them in a small cooler as they thaw. A layer of mullet, then lots of ice cream-making salt, then more mullet, etc. This really toughens them up. An ideal scenario is if you have some fresh mullet ( or anything ) left over, freeze them in heavy brine/salted down.
Thanks Raleigh! Great tip!
Coming in late, but whiting is also great cut bait for reds. Also bigger hooks are good to keep the smaller gafttops from hooking up, as they are especially pesky when the water is warm (March-early October here in Texas).
Great tip!
We have had great success using cut bluefish as well. Actually, when fishing of Tybee Island pier, if bluefish and mullet were in the water at the same time the blue got hit more than the mullet.
Seems like many types of cut bait will work great for the reds. I do believe it can be important to use whatever may be around the area. If pinfish are plentiful, cut pinfish can work great. Same for ladyfish, grunts, croakers, etc.
Hey, Tony What are your thoughts on cut Blue crab? Where does it wind up on your list? I’ll use a it before most baits for Reds, because the by catch is less.
I’m not much of a fan of cut crab. The shell definitely helps keep it on the hook longer, but I have found that bait pickers clean the shell out very quickly. Unless I know I am on top of fish and will get a red to pick it up quick, I have typically stuck with cut baitfish.
Tony,
Thank you, great stuff. If you don’t mind sharing, what fishing gloves are you using?
I have had a couple of pre-cancerous spots removed on the top of my hand from fishing for almost 50 years (omg!) and need to use gloves. But, I haven’t been able to find a good working pair. They are either to slick in the palm, or too heavy, or not fingerless.
I couldn’t catch the make of yours in the video but they look to work well. Please share if appropriate, much appreciated.
Thx!
Kent
No problem Kent!
These are the gloves I have been using:
https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/cordova-consumer-products-half-finger-guide-gloves#repChildCatid=6438003
I highly recommend the following as well, which is what I used to use. I haven’t been able to find them in stores near me so I went with the pair above, but if I do find them again I will be picking them up. They are lightweight and have silicone on the palms which helps with grip when wet:
https://www.amazon.com/Sport-Water-Gloves-Light-X-Small/dp/B00U7GC1GS/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=buff+water+gloves&qid=1565907604&s=gateway&sr=8-3
????
The best cut bait for Redfish is Ladyfish a.k.a. Redfish Crack.
Yep ladyfish works great as well!
Awesome video Tony! What would your advice be one when to freeline and when to use a sinker? And when using a sinker do you prefer a knocker rig or a fishfinder/Carolina rig?
Thanks Jeremy! If there is little to no current and the water is less than 5ft I like to free line. Anything deeper or if there is more current I will use an egg sinker – I like to use a knocker rig because it keeps everything compact and easier to cast. Also helps avoid tangles in the line.
Appreciate the insight and quick response! I’ll be hitting an inlet close to where I love this weekend, hopefully I’ll have a monster to report on in the community come Saturday evening!
In NC, we use what is called a Lupton Rig to keep the Reds from getting hooked too deep.
Hey Tony. Great video. I clicked on the blue link in the article “to see where I was fishing and why..” but it only takes me to the Insiders main page. I’m an insider club member, but I don’t know how to find the fishing location for this particular article. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Hey Mike, the full report will be live on Friday. You will see it on the main site and I will also post it in the community. Stay tuned!
You say not to use frozen bait. What if that’s the only option?
Also how do you avoid catching catfish using the same technique shown in the video?
I don’t recommend frozen bait just because it will come off the hook much easier than fresh. Fresh also has a different scent to it which seems to attract the reds more than catfish. Catfish tend to be more attracted to the old frozen stuff more.
If frozen is all you can get, there’s nothing wrong with that. Just be sure to have plenty since you will typically go through more of it since it gets pretty soft and mushy.
Also, there are really 2 ways of fishing with cut bait – You can either anchor up and wait for the fish to come to you, or you can find an active area where the fish are and toss a bait out knowing they are there. If you anchor up blind, you will find yourself catching more by-catch (catfish, stingrays, sharks, etc). If you move around and work to find an active area, or happen to see fish moving around, you will typically have more luck catching the reds rather than the by-catch.
Nice fish and it looks like it was fun! My hands down favorite part for bait is the head.
Thanks George! The head is definitely a great part to use. I keep a good amount of meat attached to it as well. Stays on the hook much longer too.
Where should hook the head of the mullet ?
James: Hook it between the eyes and through the skull. Be careful not to poke yourself, but you’ll want to use pretty sturdy hooks to punch it through there. It’s my favorite part of the bait. It seems to get more bites and doesn’t really ever come off.
I will hook them up through the bottom of the mouth and out of the top of their head.