"Red &
Gold on the Rips"
By Georgia Redfish
Pro-Guide: Capt. Richie Lott
Fishing
Information: 912-617-5577
Georgia's
Redfish - Bull Redfishing
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Catching Redfish
is an all time favorite for many fishermen and the spring
and late summer/fall season offers some of the best there
is on the Georgia Coast. Reds over 30 pounds are common in
late April, May and then again in September - November each
year.
A great deal has been learned about these hard mouthed scavengers
over the past few years thanks to conservation efforts and
fish surveys headed by Recreational fisheries at the Georgia
DNR. Thanks to these efforts, we have learned to locate and
catch the bulls in most any conditions.
To me, the most interesting aspects of this fishery are the
age and history of these fish. Many of the larger fish are
estimated to be over 30 years old and release tens of thousands
of eggs annually. Biologists say that 500,000 eggs from each
fish is common during spawn throughout the Southeast and Gulf
Coast, although only a small percentage actually make it through
the life stages.
Biologists say Redfish eggs float for 20 to 30 hours before
larval reds emerge carrying the yolk sac that sustains them
for three days. Then, they begin feeding on tiny zooplankton.
The beginning of life for millions of redfish is an intricate
process that can occur every three to five days during the
spawning season. With this and the many other characteristics
of this mighty fish in mind, it is important to abide by the
rules governing them. Learn how to handle them for proper
release without harm and help preserve the fishery for years
to come.
With all the science aside and stamped in our memory for preservation,
the brutal battle and sheer fun of catching these large fish
is addictive. This sport draws new anglers to our coast each
season as the word spreads amongst anglers and Charter Captains.
It's action like no other when the Georgia Redfish bite is
on, and let there be no question that it's my personal favorite!
Spring and Fall Prove Best for Georgia Redfish
Spring and fall is the time for the bull redfish to be feeding
around sounds, sandbars and larger river mouths that form
a point or a rip. I know many anglers tend to favor this "tag
and brag" type fishing over any other. Personally, I
always opt for larger species of fish, especially on a charter
fishing trip with clients who don't get to see much saltwater
in their lives.
Fall season seems to produce larger numbers of fish, but many
Anglers overlook spring altogether. Many Anglers on the Georgia
Coast have caught a few here and there during the spring while
shark or whiting fishing. I have targeted the fall season
fish since childhood from the boat and surf, but over the
past few years, I got serious about catching Bulls in the
spring and I have learned that their patterns are a little
different each season and I still strive to l earn more each
season.
One must be willing to relocate and anchor several times to
find the sweet spot. Even if you know the fish are there,
you have to get bait somewhere close to them. If they refuse
to eat, move around the area to different spots in stealth
mode until you find the bite. Keep in mind, when fishing in
3-10 feet of water, your outboard makes a lot of noise when
you start it up and move. Drift to your spots with the current
and ease your anchor over the side quietly as you make your
moves from shoal to shoal.
Finding Georgia Bull Redfish
Some Anglers fish deep water and others target shoals, sandbars
or rips looking for the bulls. Finding these fish is an obviously
crucial part of the quest. If you are shallow water fishing,
you won't need the aid of your depth recorder to "mark"
the fish on the bottom. Your outboards will be hitting the
bottom in the swells, and you know then… You are fishing
for Georgia Bull Redfish. Shallow water fishing for Redfish
in Georgia may be the easiest (but most dangerous) due to
the vast amount of shoal areas on the Georgia coast around
sounds and inlets. Many of those shoals you motor around nervously
to get into deeper water and ride past the redfish as most
times, they are holding directly in the break or on the edge
of one end of a break. If the breaking water bothers you,
get on the down current side of the bar where the fish would
"fall off" with the tide and/or any bait that may
be coming through that shoal.
Contrary to popular belief, we have found this type of fishing
DOES NOT require clear, clean water to produce numbers of
redfish. In fact, it seems like the dirty water is better.
When it's dirty, crabs and other crustaceans are stirred from
the ocean floor around full and new moon phases offering an
easy helping for Reds. Swift moving water seems to get the
fish feeding on a flood or ebb tide. This creates ideal feeding
conditions for big Redfish near beaches, oceans and inlets
and this prime time also carries the girls eggs far into the
estuary system where chances of survival are best. The Redfish
know exactly when to lay their eggs and you want to be there
when they start to eat.
Any area where breaking water churns just off the beach or
a sandbar forms a rip line is normally a prime location for
Georgia Redfish. Just keep your boat out of any safety or
swim zones that may be close to shore. Anchor your boat near
the break, shoal or rip as safely possible. Your bait needs
to be cast into the breaking or shallow water, so you must
position your boat accordingly. These big Reds will lurk in
3 - 10 ft. of water to feed, but we have caught them in less
than knee-deep water on many occasions.
The fish are also found in deep water channels and sounds
or around fishing piers, too. Jacksonville and Fernandina
boast droves of bulls in deep water. They are caught in the
shipping channels and other deepwater areas, especially down
along the St. Johns River. Lots of Anglers target the bull
Redfish in deeper water, but as you can tell, I am partial
to shallow water. I believe the Bull Reds are all over, but
it's all about what lay of land you get used to fishing.
Bait Choices for Georgia Redfish
I have experimented with lots of baits to catch big Reds,
and the truth is, they will bite just about anything fresh
you present to them when they are on the feed. When the fish
get lockjaw, you have to look at the results of all your experimentation
and attempt to make a good choice. If your bait is fresh,
you may consider a move if the fish bite gives out.
There are several redfish guides in Georgia, including myself,
who will agree that there are three cut baits that will produce
Georgia Redfish when no other will. Fresh Menhaden, Bluefish
or Whiting. Always bring along your light spinning gear and
fish a squid piece on the bottom, and normally you'll catch
a Bluefish or Whiting to chunk up as cut bait.
Capt. Jay Childers, formerly the manager of St. Simons Marina
has been fishing for Redfish for over 35 years and prefers
Mullet or Menhaden. His third choice is a blue crab due its
durability on the hook. "We used Roe mullet out of Florida
that worked well for us in the fall of 2003. Last year was
definitely a Mullet year for the bulls on my boat", Jay
said. Capt. Jay also mentioned that fresh is always better,
no matter what your bait may be.
All the pro guides I have fished with and talked with over
the years have a favorite choice and reason for using particular
bait. Most Guides in our area prefer Menhaden over any other
bait. The Reds can be caught on a variety of baits live and
dead, but Menhaden is at the top of the list.
I personally watched Capt. Teddy Elrod catch over nine bull
redfish off St. Simons Island one morning on Yellow Tails.
A Yellow Tail is the most aggravating, small "trash fish"
you could ever catch on rod and reel, especially while Trout
fishing. I wouldn't have given a thought to trying the shrimp
stealing hindrance, but he was low on bait one morning and
had no choice. Old Yellow led him to a great day of fishing
for his anglers on board and he landed more Reds than anyone
that day.
Georgia Redfish love Crabs and Mullet chunks as well, but
Mullet or Crabs are not on the top of my list. I try to fish
a little of everything, but I still have my favorites that
have worked for me for years.
Personally, I've caught more big Redfish using Menhaden (pogies)
than any other bait, but fresh cut Whiting runs a close second!
As with any fresh cut bait, Sharks like to eat it as well.
Most times, they'll be Atlantic Sharpnose and other Coastal
Sharks in the spring and fall. They feel like a Red when they
bite and run, so unless you see that big boil on the surface
during the battle, don't count on it to be a Red.
Georgia Redfish
Tackle for Success
Rod and Reel:
The Rod and Reel Combo
Shakespeare Ugly Stik Custom (14-17 Medium Class Spinning
Rod)
PENN SSM 650 Spinning Reel
Load your Reel with Spiderwire CODE RED BRAID (65 Pound)
Your Terminal Tackle:
90 Pound Berkley Snap Swivel AND Sinker Slider
3 ft. length of 60-80# Pound Berkley Flourocarbon Leader
9/O RedfishOne
Circle Hook (Helps Prevent Gut Hook)
4-6 OZ. Pyramid Sinker/Weight
Your Rig:
Slide your sinler slider on first. After you tie the snap
swivel on your main line, tie a surgeon's loop at one end
of your 3 ft. leader. Then just tie on a circle hook with
your favorite knot, and you're set. Snap on your weight to
the sinker slider and you're all set. This rig will allow
you to Redfish the breakers without the weight rollinig downhill
with the current.
A Word on successful Releasing of Redfish
Why can't we keep large Georgia Redfish? The purpose is to
reduce pressure on spawning size redfish. Redfish begin spawning
at an average over 20-inches. By that size a large portion
of them move offshore. If redfish were managed like many other
fish, (such as speckled trout) with a minimum size large enough
to allow them to spawn at least once before being caught,
the inshore fishery would not be near as good as it is. The
larger females are protected to spawn over and over again
and the girls come back to the same areas each season to spread
their eggs.
If a big Redfish is removed from the water for hook removal,
support the body weight from underneath as you remove the
fish from the water while handling the fish as little as possible.
Get your hook out, and get that fish back quickly to prevent
excess stress. Be sure to revive the fish until you feel him
struggling to leave your hands, and then give a push straight
down or let the fish leave your hands freely into the current.
Many anglers use a Rubber Landing net to bring the fish onboard
to prevent slime loss off the Red's body and this also gives
the fish full support of bodyweight throughout the net webbing.
If you have a "Floater" that won't swim off, try
to revive the fish before leaving it for dead. Often you can
tap them with the tip of your fishing rod and they take off.
Redfish are a hearty fish, but I have seen them come floating
by in the sound or rivers. When a dead bull redfish is sighted,
it has probably fallen victim to improper catch and release
amongst other things.
Remember, take a Kid Georgia Redfish Fishing.
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