I am new to the bay fishing scene and am trying to learn the ropes. This past weekend all the bait shops were out of live bait, so I decided to cast net bait. I caught hundreds of 2" shad as well as small and bigger mullet. I caught a couple redfish on shad but no trout. Is live shad and mullet typically good bait for trout and redfish? We chummed up a bunch of sharks at the end for some easy catching but would really like to target trout. I know soft plastics work well, but I typically take out the ole lady with me and it's easier to have her fish live bait. Thank you in advance for any advice!

This time of year for reds it's either live or cut mullet. If you catch a skip jack cut it up makes great cut bait for reds. For trout live or even cut mullet works. I've caught numerous trout (and even flounder) on cut mullet. But live croaker is tough to beat for trout. If bait shops are out of croaker catch some 3"-5" mullet and go hunting. May need to add a popping cork. If trout aren't hitting live mullet try cut mullet. May just need to cut the tail off the mullet and hook it through the back so it can swim around or sometimes cut it completely in half. I've caught em both ways. Caught a flounder last weekend on a chunk of cut mullet.

I appreciate the reply Jerry! I went to three bait shops around Freeport and none of them had live shrimp or croaker. I'm taking the boat out again this weekend and will give the mullet a try. I think the shad might've been a little too small of a bait to be throwing. Tight Lines

Finger Mullet, mud minnows,shrimp,and small croaker.

Live mullet are tough to beat in any scenario. You would be amazed how big of a mullet those trout will eat.

In a pinch, don't forget small piggy perch. Easy to catch a bunch around any pier/structure with shrimp and typical gear you'd use for fresh water perch.

Yes sir they will work. I like pin perch better than piggies. Either way I'll cut the fins off of them. Seems to make a difference. I caught a 36" red in 2' of water on a live pin perch.

One of the great things about the TFF is that I am always learning new stuff. I did not realize that pin perch and piggy perch are actually different critters. I did a little research and found this link with pics so now I can tell the difference.

https://surffishing.tripod.com/perch.html

Yep most of the piggies I see aren't that yellow they're darker. I've always heard snapper love live pin perch but not piggies, Fish seem to know the difference well.

I have also seen several folks on this site and others use cut ladyfish. They appear to be great bait for reds. I've always just thrown those back but will give that a try next time I catch one of those.

Yeah we call them skipjack. I don't catch a lot of them chasing reds but occasionally fishing a gut I'll catch one. I don't ever release them. Excellent cut bait for reds and also works on catfish in fresh water too. They're just an oily fish.