What is the best setup for catching bull reds?
Baits? Rigs? And so on.

Thanks.
T.G.

I the Galveston are we have had luck with a good size rod and reel, 3 foot leader, and about a 12/0 circle hook. For bait, crab with the shell removed and cut in half, live croaker, cut squid, or mullet ! They are in the same water and eat about the same thing as shark too !!

Good luck !!

Heres a good video on how to clean the crab http://www.tx-sharkfishing.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=5208

a good reel that can hold a lot of line, a rod with a solid backbone and lots of patience. you don't need the most expensive gear. I caught them on bass light to medium light gear in Louisiana. it just takes a little more time to play them. if you want to horse them in, get heavy tackle. a round abu garcia real that can hold enough line, like a 5500 or 5600. braided line works pretty good. I have caught them on 15lb test, but with 20lb you should not have any problems. make sure your rod has enough backbone too. I have seen plenty of little wimpy poles break when fighting bull reds and drums. the bait of choice would be fresh crab, however they will bite cut mullet and shrim too.

CoooL Thanks, Do you fish on the bottom? We are fishing for shark too. We are setup like you said. 12/0 hooks,
80lb powerpro, 3/0 and 4/0 penn reels (waiting to get spooled) I know a big fish will spool off all my line at some point. lol I am moving to New Zealand and i don't want to buy any big stuff till i'm there.
I am kind of new to shark fishing. And when i was at bob hall last i watched a guy catch a huge bull red. we helped him land it on the pier. It really rocked.
Thanks agan,
T.G.

I have always fished on the bottom for reds and shark. The equipment you are using will get the job done ! Check out www.tx-sharkfishing.com lots of info !!

Yeah That site is Gr8. I have been reading up in there for the last 2 weeks.

That has got to be one of the best videos I've seen to help fishermen rig a bait ever.

Ok I wont knock some of the other posts on here as far as gear. As stated before bass gear is sufficient enough. I use calcutta 400's and Curados and Quantum Cabo 40's with power pro 65 LB braid. I use a 2-3' flourocarb leader of 20-50lbs depending on the structure I am fishing. Using Spro swivels and a 2 0z- 4 oz egg sinker depending on the current. I use live piggy perch for bait or live or fresh dead mullet or menhaden. I use 7/0 circle hooks with no problems. Catching bulls in the mid 40" range with ease. Hope this helps.

I dont see it as knocking anyone for their opinions, the man asked for opinions and your is just as good as mine or anyone elses.

I caught a 42" bull with a 6'6" Castaway and a Curado spooled with 12 pound BG while fishing for trout, but thats not ideal equipment. Something similar to what you would catch big cats with would be more suitable than a medium action bass rod and reel.

Ok let me rephrase that instead of not knocking lets say. I prefer to use this type of equipment then overkill. But its just my opinion. ummmm I catch my big cats and big bull reds on my favorite rod all the time. St. Croix 6'6 Avid crankbait rod with a Curado 300. I have caught 40 lb blackfin and yellowfin on it on a trip out of Venice just to see if I could.If I was shark fishing or king fishing yes I want a bigger back bone rod and reel. But for bull reds bass tackle will do. During the run I throw 6 inch wildeyes and catch red after red after red until I am tired. If I have to throw a heavier weight I go with my st croix 7'9 HF action rod with a calcutta. As far as your red well congrats. I dont use mono I prefer power pro even crappie fishing. No stretch and sensitivity is unmatched by mono. To each his own.

Just a thought here, Calcutta 400 max drag pressure is 17.5 pds. So anything over 20 or 30 pd test would be pretty much wasting line capacity, which is your friend when fighting bull reds and sharks?

ok same question. but from the surf.

http://www.tx-sharkfishing.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=3509&highlight=rod+reel
http://www.tx-sharkfishing.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=742&highlight=leader
those will give you most of what you need.

you can use almost the same setup for shark to be on the safe side. i would set up 30 to 40 lb mono or power pro which ever you prefer. make a amall leader with 100 lb test or so with a slider weight setup and a 13/0 hook. now you dont have to have this setup but i would say it would be on the safe side so if you land one of those 53'' your safe. make the leader a couple feet long and your good to go