Capt Doug's tips for catching redfish in Cold Water

Capt Doug's tips for catching redfish in Cold Water

Many people think that when the water temperature drops the reds move off the flats in search of deep holes. The truth is reds do move of the flats into deeper area but only until the flats warm up enough for them to come back and feed. This does not mean you have to wait until summer. Almost every day when the water warms up a few degrees above the open water redfish move up on the flats in search of that next meal. The keys to fishing these reds is patients, stealth and persistence.

First, sleep in on those cold mornings. Believe me the reds will so and you should too. This is one of the few times of year that you can get a late start and still get out on a flat before the fish start to feed. At sunrise the water of the flats can be a low as 10 degrees lower than the open water. This is not a good time to go sight fishing. Once the flats have had a chance to be exposed to the sun for a few hours the water will warm up pretty fast on sunny days. As soon as the water temp rises 2 to 3 degrees above the open water the predators will start to move in for lunch. The good news is most have skipped breakfast and are hungry.

Now that the flats have warmed up and the reds are on the move keep in mind that these fish don't want to us up to much energy trying to catch their next meal. Even though the water temp has risen does not mean that these fish are comfortable in their environment. They want to find an easy meal and catch a few rays before the sun sets and it gets cold again. So, when working lures, work them slowly. Your best catches with top water will come while almost dead sticking a plug. Tap your lure then let it set for a few seconds. Also try to put as much distance between you and your lure as possible. This will help not spook the fish and give the fish a little bit more time to decide they want what you have thrown.

When this cold, hungry fish come move up in the shallow water they have a tendency to become very spooky. Try to make as little noise as possible. In other word, keep the trolling motors out of the water and pole. If you can't pole, drift. If you are unable to do ether, wade. I guarantee you will put more fish in the boat if you are quiet. You may not hear you motor but the fish do. Especially when you are fishing this shallow water. Most of the reds will move into as little as 5 to 6 inches trying to warm up.

Now comes the hardest part for many fisherman, persistence. If you are going to catch these fish you have to put in the time casting. You also have to try and find out what it is that they want to eat. Once you have found what they are eating just keep casting the same thing. This is the time of year I have more charters try to second guess the lures I have given them to use. Click here to see what I catching mine on.

Finally size of lures. I have heard a lot of thoughts about size of lures to use but what it all comes down to is an easy meal. I prefer larger plugs when I fish cold water. The idea is the most bang for the buck. The least amount of work for the most food. The bait is a little thin on the flats in the winter so you need to cover a lot of water to find these fish. So get off the computer and go fishing.

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Capt. Doug Blanton Copyright © 1999-2010 [Indian River Adventures]. All rights reserved. Revised: March 07, 2010 .

Capt. Doug Blanton
Copyright © 1999-2010 [Indian River Adventures]. All rights reserved.
Revised: March 07, 2010 .