Capt Doug's tips for catching spooky redfish

Capt Doug's tips for catching spooky redfish

Redfish can be spooky for a number of reasons. The water temperature could have changed. The fish could have been being worked hard for a few days or before you found them. A front could be pushing through. The list can go on for ever. The challenge you have is to figure why.

If it is because someone has been working them too hard you may be better off to look for a different school of fish. Depending on how hard they were pushed and how long could mean you need to make a mental note about where you found them and try them again in a few days. You can usually tell if as soon as you find them they take off like a scolded dog and don't appear to settle down. Most of the time these fish will refuse everything you throw at them. After the 2nd or 3 good cast without a strike, move on.

If the fish seam to settle down after a short run. Watch where they go. Do not chase them! I like to watch them to see what they do. If they start tailing or appear to sit in one place for a few minutes I like to pole my way around them from the outside of the school and sit and watch about 100 feet away. After a few minutes move in slowly a little bit at a time watching to see. If they act like they are getting skittish, back off. If they seam to not be aware you are there move just to within casting distance and work the edges of the school. One of my rules of thumb with spooky fish is to only cast while they are tailing. When the tails go down, I sit still and back off a bit.

You only want to make long casts to the outside edges on any spooky school. I like to see if they are working one way and cast 5 to 6 feet in front of the school and let them come to my lure before starting to work it. You will find you will get a lot more hookups and keep the school closer.

Never chase spooky fish!!!! Always stay on the outside and only close the gap when you are going to cast. If they don't stop let them think you left the flat and pole past them to the outside and let them come to you if at all possible. Do not use your motor or trolling motor. If you can't pole fast enough. Wait, most of the time if a school of redfish are feeding on a flat they have an area where they have found food. Back off and watch. I can't tell you how many times I have found a school of spooky fish that I staked out and watched them move so far away before coming back. It is when they do this you have the best chance for a hookup.

If the fish are spooky because of weather you may be in for a hard day. On these days I have had my best luck making long leading casts and slowly dragging a soft plastic or slowly walking the dog in front of them. My first rule of sight fishing reds is to let them find the bait and not the bait find the fish. Make them think you lure is about to die and is an easy meal. A lot of times when the fish are acting like this I like big top water plugs. I try to make it look like the most bang for their buck.

Another trick with reds anytime is to work your lure slow until they see it. Then speed it up a little making it look like something trying to get away. This is the same with most hungry predicators. If they think it is going to get away they chase it out of instinct.

So remember;

Don't chase them.
Let them find the bait.
Only cast when they are tailing if they have been tailing.
Long casts.
Work the outside edge.
Stake out and wait.
NO Trolling motors!
If they don't eat after a few good tries, move on and make notes as to where and when you found them.

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Capt. Doug Blanton Copyright © 1999-2010 [Indian River Adventures]. All rights reserved. Revised: March 07, 2010 .

Capt. Doug Blanton
Copyright © 1999-2010 [Indian River Adventures]. All rights reserved.
Revised: March 07, 2010 .