Winter Reds Series

Lesson 3

Lesson 3: Sight Fishing for Reds: For the advanced anglers only. 

There is a reason this might not be everyone’s cup of tea. For starters, it can be much more difficult, and the success rate is not nearly as high. There are times when the redfish stack up in shallow water and in large schools. Sometimes more than 100 fish at a time. And we are not just talking about rat reds here. No, we are talking about schools of large 25–35-inch reds. 

On sunny days where the sun can penetrate the water, reds will rest in the shallow waters. This seems like an oxymoron of the thought that all fish go deep in the winter, but it does happen. In muddier waters, the thicker sediment is caught and heated by the sun warming up the water around it. The water is shallow and therefore heats up faster. Sometimes reds will be stacked up in such shallow water, half of their backs will be just sitting out of the water while the fish is completely still. 

This is one of my favorite ways to catch reds. It becomes more about hunting reds rather than fishing for them. You must move stealthily, while performing a perfect cast. Too far and the fish will not see it. Too close and you will spook the fish with the unnatural splash in the shallow water. Throw about a foot and a half to the left or right, or in front of the fish for your best shot. Use small baits, ned rigs, or small live baits without a sinker or popping cork attached. 

These fish are spooked VERY easily. One wrong move and you won’t just scare one, but the entire school of fish. And really, that’s okay. There are plenty of times this yields unwanted results, but when it happens it is the most fun you will have in the winter. Again, this strategy is not for everyone. If you have new people fishing in the boat, stick to higher catch ratios so everyone has fun, but if you are wanting to try something different it can be an enjoyable adventure.