Whether you are seeing them or fishing conventionally, these are sight fishing tips missing from your redfish game.
When I first started sight fishing for redfish I was amazed at what I could see underwater that I couldn't before. I have said it a dozen times before and will say it again:
Sight fishing for redfish is a boon for your inshore education.
However, there were clues I overlooked in my search for bronze-backed beauties. After many sorties into the marsh I learned to pick up these clues and use them to kick ass at sight fishing redfish.
Sight Fishing Tips
1. If you can see the gar, you can see the redfish
If you catch yourself looking at non-target species of fish and thinking "Darn, not what I'm looking for" then you are doing yourself a disservice.
Think about it: if you can see that fish underwater then you can definitely see a redfish (which is lit up like a neon sign anyways). Whether it's a mullet, gar or whatever, if you can see it then you can also see the redfish.
This is a great indicator of the water clarity you are in, how hard you need to be looking and how far away you can see your quarry.
If you can see him, you can definitely see the redfish!
2. Seeing stingrays is good!
Stingrays feed off the bottom much like redfish do. They are looking for the same kind of forage you see redfish tailing for.
Everywhere I catch a lot of redfish I always see stingrays.
When I see a stingray I get happy!
3. Are you seeing the right kind of bait?
Often you may listen to people refer to an area as being "loaded with baitfish."
The question to ask is:
"Are those baitfish the right kind of bait?"
It's not the big, uneatable bait you want to see, but the smaller, bite-sized bait.
You don't want to see really big mullet that are 12"+ in length, but small "finger mullet."
You don't want to see huge No. 1 sized blue crabs but smaller blue crabs that are the size of a silver dollar. Schools of small pogies are also a plus, like what you see at the end of the video below.
I know that if I am stalking through a pond and I don't see "small" bait then I am more likely to try somewhere else.
When you fillet your redfish be sure to look at their stomach contents and get an idea as to what they are eating.
Conclusion
Do these three things and you will improve your sight fishing game!
