How to Catch Redfish on Cut Bait in Summer

Hot summer day.

Water temperatures in the low 90s.

Redfish buried DEEP inside the mangroves.

Sounds like a tough bite, right?

It usually is.

But one simple technique can turn those hiding redfish into a feeding FRENZY.

Watch the video below to see how it works!

Featured Software:

• Smart Fishing Spots

What Is The Best Tide For Catching Mangrove Redfish?

The first two to three hours of the outgoing tide are usually the best time to use this technique.

During the summer, redfish often move into mangrove root systems to find food, shade, and protection.

When the tide is high, those fish can push surprisingly far back into the roots.

That makes them difficult to reach.

As the tide begins to fall, the redfish are forced out of the mangroves and closer to the edge.

That is the opportunity anglers are looking for.

There is still enough water for the fish to feel comfortable, but they are no longer sitting several feet beyond casting range.

While the water is still high, baits may need to be cast deep into the mangrove openings to get bites.

As the water continues falling, the fish often begin moving closer to the outside edge.

This is why knowing the tide stage before a trip is so important.

Smart Fishing Spots provides tide predictions using local tide stations, making it easy to identify the first few hours of the outgoing tide and plan trips up to two weeks in advance.

The high-resolution satellite imagery and changing Smart Spots can also help identify which mangrove shorelines are expected to become more productive as the tide changes.

How To Rig Cut Bait For Redfish

The rig for this technique is incredibly simple.

The setup includes:

• Fresh cut pinfish
• 3/0 circle hook
• Small split shot
• 25-pound leader

Start by cutting the head and tail off the pinfish.

Remove the sharp fins from each side as well.

This gives the bait a cleaner profile and reduces the chance of a redfish getting poked by a fin and dropping it.

Place a small split shot just above the hook.

Only enough weight to keep the bait near the bottom and prevent it from moving out of the strike zone is needed.

Then cast it into a promising opening and let it sit.

Cut bait releases scent while remaining in one place. That makes it perfect for hot summer conditions when redfish are tucked into the shade and may not want to chase a fast-moving lure.

Cut bait can also be placed under a float.

The float allows the current to carry the bait along the mangrove edge and cover more water.

When the float shoots underwater, there is no mistaking the bite!

Use the bottom rig to target one specific mangrove pocket.

Use the float to drift the bait along the shoreline and search for active fish.

Where Should Cut Bait Be Cast Around Mangroves?

Bait placement can make or break this technique.

A bait can sit just outside a mangrove opening for 20 minutes without getting a bite.

Cast that same bait five feet farther into the opening, and a redfish may eat it almost immediately.

Five feet can make the difference.

When the tide is still high, get the bait as far into the openings as safely possible.

Look for:

• Gaps between mangrove branches
• Small pockets behind the outer edge
• Drains carrying water out of the trees
• Shaded areas with enough depth
• Openings with visible current

Accurate casting matters much more than casting distance.

The goal is to place the bait close to the fish without wrapping the line around a branch.

Once a bite comes from one opening, cast back into the same area.

Redfish often hold together, and one small mangrove pocket can produce several fish.

When a fish eats, keep the rod tip low and apply steady pressure.

A low rod angle helps keep the line away from overhanging branches while guiding the fish out of the roots.

Once the redfish reaches open water, the drag can be loosened and the fight can slow down.

Final Thoughts

Cut bait is one of the most reliable ways to catch redfish around mangroves during the hottest days of summer.

The setup is simple.

The real key is combining it with the right tide and accurate bait placement.

Focus on the first two to three hours of the outgoing tide.

Cast deep into the openings while the water is high.

Move closer to the edge as the water falls.

And if one mangrove pocket produces a fish, KEEP FISHING IT!

There may be an entire group sitting in the same small area.

This trip even produced a solid Tampa Bay redfish with zero spots.

What do you call a redfish without a spot?

Let everyone know in the comments!