Sometimes the object of your desires is slot reds and other times it’s big bull redfish, but if you fish on the Chesapeake, there’s an exceptionally good chance that at some point during the season you have redfish on your mind. And while the Bay certainly doesn't make redfish headlines the same way many southern and Gulf ports do, that’s more the result of lackluster PR than angling reality. While every season can vary radically from one to the next, the fact of the matter is that some seasons in some places on the Chesapeake we enjoy redfish action that rivals any on the face of the planet. If, of course, you can figure out how to catch ‘em. With a little luck and a dash of determination, these tips will help make it happen.
- THINK ABOUT BEING LAZY. Not you—the fish. Redfish can be spectacularly lazy at times, ignoring an offering that lands just a foot too far away or swims off just a little too quickly. You can’t physically crank a reel fast enough to outrun even a small redfish, yet lures traveling at a fast jog will often get little more than a glance. Of course, this isn’t always the case. But when you see this behavior the solution is to tempt the fish with something you can put within easy striking distance (about twice the fish’s own length), and keep there for as long as possible. Let’s say you’re sight-casting to slot fish in the shallows of the ESVA. Choosing a very light jighead with a thick soft plastic that sinks slowly will allow you to dance the lure while barely moving it away from the fish. Or consider bulls that are holding close to structure. If you position yourself up-current so you can drift in a lure and swim it right in front of the fish’s nose, you have a good chance of getting that lazy bones to strike. Naturally we’d all like it if the redfish just attacked with vigor every time we cast, but that just isn't reality. Like most creatures they get just plain lazy, and when they do you need to alter your tactics to match.
- GET SMELLY. Your lures, that is. Whether you choose to cast a lure with natural scent built in (like Fishbites), or you rub some smelly goop of one variety or another all over your offering, redfish definitely like some scent. If you’re fishing cut peeler crab or spot in the shallows you probably shouldn’t mess with the real thing. But when there’s an artificial on the end of your line you’ll definitely find that you get more strikes if they get a taste and after striking the fish won’t want to let go.
- STAY ON A HAIR TRIGGER, whenever you’re sight fishing for redfish. Most of the time you’ll have a very brief window of time to take your shot, often a mere second or two. You left your rod sitting in the holder while you grabbed a cool frosty drink? You might have satiated your thirst but that fish will be gone long before you can cast again. You stuck your hook through the hook-holder on the rod? We're glad you aren’t letting that hook swing around, but fumbling to get it out while you watch the fish swim off is the most likely outcome. Always keep the hammer cocked, because that fish will likely show up when you least expect it and is even more likely to disappear just as fast.
- SHAKE, RATTLE, and ROLL. Sort of. The point here is that redfish are excellent at sensing vibrations. That's why popping corks, spinnerbaits, and underspins will all prove effective at times. In clear water the fish will generally spot a lure long before feeling it—don't believe that nonsense you may have heard about reds having poor eyesight, because the bio-scienctifical folks have proven it’s bunk. But in cloudy or discolored water, it’s always a good idea to add some vibrations into the mix.
- GO FOR THE GOLD. Gold spoons, that is. A gold wobbling spoon (think: Johnson’s Silver Minnow in gold) is a classic lure that even today remains quite popular in parts of Florida and Texas. With all the new-fangled lures that get introduced season after season many of the old standbys fall to the wayside, but this one’s so effective and—forgive us—so idiot-proof, particularly as a search bait, that it’s survived the test of time and the competition of modern tech. The best use-case comes when reds are prowling relatively shallow weedbed edges and are scattered through a large area. Simply cast it out and reel it back as you move along the edges and this spoon’s seductive wobble is so enticing that redfish have trouble resisting.
Just how well will the redfish be biting when you read these words? Will it be rockin’ good in the Rap, terrific in the Tangier, or off the hook in open waters? It’s impossible to predict. But we know one thing for sure: whether it’s next week, next month, or next year, at some point in time we’ll get to tap into world class redfish action right here at home in Chesapeake Bay waters. When that happens we know what will be on your mind. And, ours.