Three Top Picks for Reds

Slot-sized reds are among to coolest fish out there – they fight great, taste great, and when they’re in a feeding mood it isn’t too tough to fool them with lures. If, of course, you’re using the lures that they want to hit. Everyone has their own favorites and there are countless lures which will prove effective. These three, however, are perennial top picks when it comes to these reds.

Four Inch White Paddle Tails – It’s true that some days smaller offerings generate more strikes, and other days larger ones take the cake. Sure, sometimes a different color is a better pick. And yes, there will be days when other lures out-fish soft plastics. But as a general rule of thumb, if you bounce a four-inch white paddle tail in front of a hungry redfish, it will strike. Added bonus: just about every other predator will hit these lures, too, so the four-inch while paddle tail is an excellent choice for mixed-species fishing as well.

Gold Wobbling Spoons – The Johnson’s Minnow is a classic, but there are plenty of wobbling spoons on the market to choose from. And we will note that silver or bronze will out-catch gold sometimes. Still, it’s hard to beat a gold wobbler many days and they are especially effective when the water is a bit stained or off-color. That spoon throws out vibrations the fish can home in on, as well as producing a nice flash.

Plastic Shrimp – There’s no denying that reds love eating shrimp. And while it may be true that the real thing often draws more strikes than an artificial, anglers who enjoy casting lures should never under-rate a plastic shrimp. They can be crept along bottom as well as fished under a popping cork, and will work in just about any scenario where the water isn’t too deep.

You say your own personal favorite isn’t on this list? No problem – like we said at the start, there are plenty of good choices out there. But if these three aren’t in your box, a trip to the tackle shop is in order.