Strategies & Tactics For Winter Redfish & Speckled Trout
- By: Richard Thomas
- on
This video is ALL about tactics for winter redfish and speckled trout!
I drove up to Beaufort, South Carolina to do some fishing with Insider Member Angelo Durso when the weather and conditions finally set up for a nice day of fishing.
Check out all the action and intel in the report below!!
Tactics For Winter Redfish & Speckled Trout [VIDEO]
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Equipment Used:
- Rods Used:
- Fitzgerald 7’2 M Aqua Dream Series
- TFO Professional M 7’6
- Falcon Coastal Clearwater 7′ M
- Reel: Daiwa BG MQ 3000
- Line: 10lb PowerPro and 15lb Power Pro
- Leader: 20lb Ande Monofilament
- Hooks:
- Lures:
- Scent:
- Hats & Apparel:
- Rods Used:
Winter Fishing Strategies
We started the day fishing at the very top of high tide with the intention of fishing the entire tide cycle until low.
With the water level a bit higher, we started fishing bigger bodies of water with flooded structure.
Drains coming off marsh systems with tall grass were noteworthy areas to fish as well.
Our thinking was the fish would start out in deeper water in search of stable temperatures and then work their way into the shallows with the sun warming up the water throughout the day.
Initially, most of the strikes were on the fall of the lure in between twitches.
We parked the boat right in front of a drain leading off of a marsh and bait started to get pulled out with the tide.
This is an ideal scenario to spark a hot bite and catch a bunch of fish waiting to ambush prey.
Once the tide started to move a bit more, the strikes were coming left and right.
The trout were stacked up along the shallows picking off bait as it went by.
The redfish were more dialed in on crustaceans and bait tucked up in the grass line and mud.
Shrimp Lure Retrieve
On this particular trip, the ticket was casting the Power Prawn USA lure out and letting it sink to the bottom.
Then, lift the rod tip and slowly drag the shrimp across the bottom.
Bumping it over the oysters and shell bars triggered the most strikes.
You don’t want to swim the Power Prawn USA lures too fast or they’ll appear unnatural.
Conclusion
Marsh creeks and drains are the IDEAL fishing zones during winter, especially on the outgoing high tide.
The fish will stack up in pinch-points and troughs waiting for easy meals to pass by.
Keep your presentations slow and make sure you’re fishing near some flooded structure!
Do you have any more questions about this fishing trip?
Let me know what you think in the comments section!!
Finding The Fish Help
In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.
1. Weekend Game Plans (updated weekly)
These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.
2. Smart Fishing Spots Platform (updated every 15 minutes)
This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.
3. Community Reports (live feed)
The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.
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What’s the ideal water temperature for red drum?
Blake, it would depend on how you like to fish for them, they bite pretty good throughout most of the year.
Colder temps are good for fishing on mudflats and the backs of creeks, while warmer temps above 70 degrees are good for fishing in bigger water such as your sounds and inlets/passes
Great Report Richard. I have fished in those areas for many years and I appreciated seeing your approach and methods. I usually fish incoming tides. I am more open to the outgoing also now. Also, I was glad to see a video where you’re actually fishing from a larger boat! Some of us aren’t interested in kayak fishing. Angelo, happy you arranged for this outing.
That’s awesome Gerald! Definitely a beautiful area to fish and glad we got to make it happen!
The outgoing definitely produced for us that day
Thanks for the video, wish I would have seen it yesterday. Targeted similar water around HHI today but you had better luck.
Absolutely Kevin! It’s a hit and miss thing this time of year- if one creek isn’t producing just go to another one, the fish are typically schooled up this time of year so one creak may be dead and the other one could be loaded!
hey Richard, excellent illustration of our day fishing together! we caught a bunch of fish and covered a number of subtle adjustments & tactics to employ on the water that definitely enhanced my fishing acumen. I’ve applied some several times since, such as trolling motor management, boat positioning, switching up lures, etc…and I know my fishing has been more productive — I had some great days since then catching large trout and most recently redfish. thanks for visiting Beaufort & hitting’ the water with me!! let’s get out there again!! have a great weekend!
Appreciate it Angelo! Yeah I’ve seen your reports! You’re killing it up there. Definitely looking forward to making it back your way! Beaufort is a beautiful fishery and can’t wait to get back
Good video Richard. Thanks for the tips.
Appreciate it Robert!
Great report Richard. Thanks for your tips. As always you seem to help me with something every video.
Glad it was helpful Terry!