The Lure That Keeps Winning Inshore Saltwater Fishing Tournaments
- By: Matthew Lanier
- on
“What’s the lure that keeps winning inshore fishing tournaments???”
For the last few weeks, I’ve been getting asked that same question after I took home First Place in the Florida Redfish Series Tournament over in Jacksonville.
It was NOT easy as conditions for tournament day were extremely TOUGH to battle through.
Check out the video to see the lure that helped me take home the top prize!!
The Lure That Keeps Winning Inshore Fishing Tournaments [VIDEO]
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Get the Strike King KVD Wake Bait
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Not only were conditions less than stellar, but an unanticipated 6-foot tide swing threw another curveball at us.
Without further delay, the lure that keeps on crushing it is the Strike King KVD Wake Bait.
What Is A Wake Bait?
Wake Baits were originally designed to target freshwater bass as a shallow running crankbait.
At the front of these lures, there is a flat-shaped bill to keep the bait swimming at or near the surface.
With the right retrieve speed, this lure will leave a wake behind it.
So the question is – how does this help YOU catch more inshore saltwater fish?
As we enter the warmer portion of the year, the bait is plentiful in the shallows.
In turn, predatory fish dial into the shallow water areas in search of a meal.
Another thing to take note of is fish diets change from winter to spring.
In winter, fish diets mainly consist of crustaceans with few finfish.
But as the water temperatures warm up, mullet and pinfish become the primary target.
The same applies to snook, seatrout, flounder, and more inshore species as they are ready to fill up their bellies in the shallows.
Moreover, another bonus feature of the Wake Bait is its rattle.
The low-frequency rattle does an excellent job of attracting large predatory fish from far away.
This is especially useful in choppy or windy conditions.
After using multiple types of wake baits, I can safely say this is the most consistent lure I’ve seen in calling fish in from a ways away.
As a result, it is also a very effective search bait to cover ground and find the fish.
When Should You Use A Wake Bait?
A common question I get asked is, “Is the Wake Bait similar to a Topwater lure in that it’s best to use during the sunrise and sunset times of the day?”.
There are ZERO time restrictions or condition restrictions to this lure.
There are multiple color patterns that you can match to the conditions to spark a bite.
A follow-up to that is what depths are ideal to use this lure in.
One thing I have found is that it works best in 4 feet or less.
You can use it in 6 feet of water as well but only if the fish are willing to come up and strike the surface aggressively.
In my most recent tournament, I was using the Wake Bait in INCHES of water with no problem.
In fact, there was mud underneath that the bait dug into and the redfish perceives it as a crab emerging from the mud.
Crab or baitfish, the redfish couldn’t get enough!
Get the Strike King KVD Wake Bait
With all of this in mind, this makes the Wake Bait one of the MOST VERSATILE lures for inshore saltwater fishing.
You’ve got to have one of these in your tackle box before every trip this spring and summer.
Fellow Fishing Coach Pat Ogletree refers to these as the paddletails of topwater lures and I couldn’t agree more.
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.
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).
Wow gonna use this
I joined it and I’m going to buy a lot of equipment.
Yes! I did order this. Haven’t had the chance to really use it but I changed the hooks to inlines. What about the rings? Should those be changed too?
I change it all! It’s not saltwater worthy or of the box.
Good question!
Have you used the wake bait trolling behind a kayak along the mangroves?
I haven’t but I’m sure it would be effective!
You should look into the Cotton Cordell Redfins 5″ version. The jointed have rattles and un-joined are silent. They throw big V wakes. I replace the rear with a feathered hook for more action.
I am familiar with the Cotton Cordell lures! I have some in my box now! Great lure but a little more application specific in my area. Good call on replacing the back hook!
Matt I’ll have to view your new mini coarse about these baits I did buy 2 of each color that saltstrong had in store and tried them but with little luck but I’m sure they work great under certain conditions I have a couple similar baits that are like the walebaits but dive a little deeper a bait that was made way before your time the old cotton cordel big “o” made back in the 70s when old Bill dance, and Roland Martin and the old school bass anglers were on the tournament scene that crankbait used to win alot of tournaments back then I was born in the mid 60s but grew up in the 70s and remember when the bass masters classic was on TV I used to use lot of different kinds and brands of crankbaits when I was solely a freshwater bass angler as a kid and up to about 20 years ago in 03 in March when I first started to fish inshore saltwater I don’t use crankbaits that much anymore but am thinking about trying a few in the saltwater anyways I know that by experience that anything that will catch a freshwater bass will catch just about anything inshore saltwater in fact I see you saw how my old reliable safety pin style spinnerbait works for reds and flounder well we all know that originally the spinnerbait was a largemouth bass lure then by chance someone found out how good it is in the salt anyways you know what I’m saying like I said ill review your mini coarse and give them a go thanks Matt for all you do for saltstrong😉👍
Oh Steven, I am familiar with the Cotton Cordell! Great lure for both inshore and freshwater! Let me know when you get that first fish on the wakebait!
EXCELLENT work Matt, congrats & thanks for sharing your knowledge & experience!
Thanks George!