Slot Reds on Paddletails

Casting paddletails with light tackle is a fun way to fish, and just about every predator under the sun will strike a paddletail lure. If you want to target slot-sized red in particular, however, there are a few details to keep in mind.

• Make sure your leadhead is heavy enough to reach bottom, because most of the time (sight fishing in the shallows excepted) bouncing along the bottom is the most effective method of fishing these baits. Accordingly, you’ll also need to be using a rod sensitive enough to feel that lure tap down, along with braid mainline. Note: when fishing in this style around oyster bars, be sure to check your leader regularly for abrasion.
• Choose the lightest head that allows you to feel bottom, because a slow, wobbly drop is often what the reds can’t resist striking.
• Use a scented lure, or add some scent. Redfish sharpies usually agree that these fish do respond to scent (and the popularity of Gulp! offers evidence that the average angler does, too).
• Choose relatively small tails for slot fish. In most cases a three- to five-inch paddletail will be a good choice. The exception is in the middle of winter, when the fish sometimes aren’t enthusiastic about chasing smaller bits.
• Expect color preferences to change day by day depending on conditions. That said, electric chicken and white are almost always good choices. In water that’s stirred up and muddy, brown and black sometimes do well. And on very overcast days purple can be a killer.