what are your favorite lures to use for bull reds during the winter months. I'm going in less than two weeks and was wondering what I needed to stock up on. Thanks!

TTF Trout Killer in Plum/Chart, White/Chart, Pumpkin/Chart.

Norton Sand Eel Mardi Gras, Tequila, Laguna Shrimp.

Bass Assassin Shrimp Cocktail in Electric Chicken and Bone,


Those are killers right now.


-Z-

Gold Spoon.

Storm Wildeye swimbait in mullet color, but then again, it really depends on water depth which would be the most effective. All of the above mentioned baits are good choices too but normally in shallower water.

You guys dont use live or cut bait for the giants?

Cut sand trout rules. I used to use the blue crab parts and still do in a pinch but sand trout cut bait is by far the best bull red bait I've used. The secret is to scale it first to release the scent and present an easy meal. I've tried that with mullet, pinfish, and croker but sand trout somehow works better. I don't know why it just does. If you don't get a hit after a while bring it in and step on it to release more scent and cast it out again.

I use half a blue crab when they first come in from offshore in the spring, and then Ill use menhaden or mullet, cut or live in the summer.
Is this what you are talking about Mossman?

Yea thats it Capt Rick. I haven't fished for reds on the east coast, only striper. Menhaden is the most popular live or cut bait out that way from what I remember. Are they also called buncker, or is that a different bait fish ?

I've used sand trout on the Tx. coast from Galveston to S. Padre and the bull reds love 'em. The only bad thing about it is I have to catch my own, you can't buy them anywhere that I've found. If it's illegal to catch and use sand trout for bait please disregard this post.

Yea Mossman the bunker is the same as the menhaden. Some people up north call them pogies also.

cut sardines work well

DOA SHRIMP, JIG AND SHRIMP COMBO, CUT LADYFISH&JIG

Gulp Shrimp

During the winter, larger baits work better on bay predators such as trout and redfish because the natural forage is of the larger variety this time of year. If you take the time to notice, you dont see many finger sized bait fish in the water. Mainly you will see large horse mullet swimming about and this is what trout and reds will feed on.

Also, another factor is that predator fish such as trout and redfish will be trying to conserve energy in the cold water by only wasting it on large meals that will fill them up with the least amount of wasted energy.

So, in the winter, feeding on larger baits is what these fish are programed to do. However, this does not mean that they wont hit a smaller lure or bait, just that they typically favor larger ones.

Now when it comes to fishing for reds, I would suggest picking one of the later summer months to go fishing. Typically, the winter is not the best time for these schooling fish. However, I tend to catch my biggest trout during the cold late winter and early sprintime months. I use the big bait tactic and throw large suspending baits such as corky's, and catch2000 mirror, lures, and hi-pitch topdogs.

I will occassionally pick off a slot red while cold weather trout fishing but it is not expected. Though the lures will work, I would suggest going with large natural baits that reds can easily sniff out during the winter. I would say that large live and cut mullet probably work best during this time of year. However, whole crab is a viable option and I dont see why see lice wouldnt work either though you will probably pick up more drum than reds.

Again, reds can be caught during the colder months of late winter and early spring, but this is not the best time of year for them. You are better off targeting large sow trout or drum in all shapes and sizes during their winter run.