Fellas's have fished for these fine fighters in the salt water but never fresh water. What kind of rigging is needed and what baits are good for them at Fairfield? Always fished the shallow grass flats for them at Port A. Do you fish the same for them in fresh water? This time of yr. good or is anytime good on a warm water lake? Any help sure would be appreciated. Can get map of lake but never been there so if you know of some points, flats or something i will try to find these on a map. Thanks in advance. And good fishing to you all.

bump

I've never fished FairField but I fish for them pretty regularly in Calaveras (Antoerh Power Plant Lake). I downrig for them with spoons. Also see plenty of people trolling DD22's and other large Crank Baits for them. Here on Calaveras people soak Perch, Tilapia & crawfish on a Carolina Rig or basic Saltwater Redfish Rig for them. You can also bang them big crank baits off the Rip Rap and chunk some Rat-L-Traps & Spinner Baits down the face of Rip Rap. Best live baits or fresh cut bait is what I mentioned above though on our lakes down here. Them freshwater Reds are nothing like the Saltwater Reds in my opinion though. Other than they run in schools. Hope the info helps ya out some.



Rob

How are they different Mexicajun1? Just curious
what you think, I've caught them in salt & freshwater
myself...

The biggest difference i would say is definitly the fight they put up, now don't get me wrong the freshwater reds fight hard as heck, but the just dont have the stamina it seems the saltwater reds have, especially bulls that have gone in and out of the gulf their whole lives fighting some of the toughest currents in the world. It seems you will get one good solid run out of freshies, where as i have had salties spool my reel, several times on the same fish. But, back to the original topic, I have found freshwater reds are after more active bait, and have had most success with fast moving hardbaits like cranks, and ratl-traps, but i have also caught them in their fake spawn on soft plastics like in the salt. The key on freshwater reds is to put someting in front of them, find them and run something loud and flashy and for the most part that usually works.

live bait on bottom

Dristing fresh shrimp or live tilapia or bream, carolina rigged, just off the bottom....off points.

Jeff to me the freshwater ones tend to stay to deeper waters and prefer chasing bait. I mean I've never in my life seen a freshwater Red Tailing the shallows or cruising the 8"-1' waters in the lakes down here. Many times I've fished the flats (Estes) and seen them cruising and tailing in large schools. Yes saltwater reds are pretty spooky or bashful when pressured in shallow water. The freshwater Reds down here seem to scatter and regroup even in deep water (8-15' Depths). I mean I may be way off base but it's just little things I've noticed fishing for them on my local lakes and kind of make me scratch my head. I know there are several other things I've discussed with buddies while on the water about the differences I have forgot but those I just mentioned are a few.

Rob

i thought the saltwater reds went to the flats to chase bait also to get to warmer water...the pp lakes are already warm...and swamped with bait everywhere!!! no need to go shallow...my thoughts

Thanks for the replies, a blast to catch in
fresh or saltwater...

Ok, talipia, bream, shrimp, do reds eat Shad? Is it a preferred baif?

yes they eat shad...i've had good luck on the large gizzards

use chartruse worms across from the discharge