What size hooks are best for catching redfish?
The best all around hook size for catching keeper size redfish is a 1/0 circle or j hook. A 1/0 hook size is stout enough to bring in a slot sized redfish without straightening out but is small enough to catch the smaller redfish too.
Redfish are one of those fish that can get HUGE. The world record is 90 pounds and that would be rather hard to bring in with a thin wired 1/0 hook.
So we will cover a lot of different scenarios using different baits for different sized redfish in this article. The hooks that you will need to catch a few dozen rat reds is very different from the ones that you will want if you are targeting over slot redfish in search of your personal best.
The author of this article is a FISHING CHARTER CAPTAIN. He has been fishing the grass flats, oyster bars and mangroves all over Florida for more than 40 years.
In the article below, we will talk about the best sizes of hooks to use for different redfish fishing scenarios such as live baits, dead baits and lures.
Let's get started.
Watch the video below to learn more about how hook sizes work.
The best all around hook size for catching keeper size redfish is a 1/0 circle or j hook. A 1/0 hook size is stout enough to bring in a slot sized redfish without straightening out but is small enough to catch the smaller redfish too.
Redfish are one of those fish that can get HUGE. The world record is 90 pounds and that would be rather hard to bring in with a thin wired 1/0 hook.
So we will cover a lot of different scenarios using different baits for different sized redfish in this article. The hooks that you will need to catch a few dozen rat reds is very different from the ones that you will want if you are targeting over slot redfish in search of your personal best.
The author of this article is a FISHING CHARTER CAPTAIN. He has been fishing the grass flats, oyster bars and mangroves all over Florida for more than 40 years.
In the article below, we will talk about the best sizes of hooks to use for different redfish fishing scenarios such as live baits, dead baits and lures.
Let's get started.
Watch the video below to learn more about how hook sizes work.
What is the best hook size for redfish using live baits?
Shrimp:
It is very hard to beat a live shrimp when you are searching for redfish. I would hate to be a shrimp because just about every fish in the sea would want to eat me.
Redfish are very smell/taste oriented. What I mean by that is that if it smells right a redfish will probably eat it even if it doesn't look right. Other fish like a tarpon are a more sight oriented fish and looks are often more important to them versus smell.
Redfish live in a world of tidal creeks, oyster bars, estuaries, mud flats....... The thing that these places have in common is stained water most of the time. The redfish has to smell its way around this marine environment to find food which is why a live bait or fresh dead bait is the best for catching redfish.
Most of the redfish that I have caught have been with a live shrimp; a 1/0 or #1 sized hook with a split shot 6 inches above the hook.
This super simple set up is deadly for catching a ton of keeper sized redfish. Those small hooks will get a firm grip on a redfish's soft mouth.
PRO TIP: You have to consider the size of the fish that you are targeting as well as the size of the baits that you are using to maximize your catch.
A large shrimp is maybe 4 inches long and they can move around if you use too big of a hook when fishing with them. You probably would not want to go any larger than a 2/0 hook if you are fishing with live shrimp.
If you are fishing with a popping cork with a live shrimp underneath the same theory holds true. You will not want to have a hook larger than a 2/0 even if you have a huge shrimp underneath the bobber.
You might also want to use a 1/8 or 1/4 ounce jig head instead of split shots and fish the live shrimp like you would a jig. Just pitch it up current and work it back to you with the current.
This is also a great way to fish docks. You will want to pitch your jig and live shrimp under the dock and work it back to you slowly. You can use mud minnows in this scenario too but you will hook them through the lips instead of through the tail like you would with the shrimp.
I created an entire online redfish fishing course that you can find on this website. It is FREE and will cover how to catch redfish using different baits and lures. Click here to see the online course.
Mud Minnows:
Mud minnows are another great bait for catching redfish. If you can net some, then you have a great chance to catch a lot of redfish if they are around.
Just like the shrimp you will have to use a smaller hook so the mud minnow can move around on the bottom better. The same set up that is used for the shrimp will work for the mud minnows.
Get yourself a #1 or 1/0 hook with some split shots 6 inches above the hook and you are good to go. I like to hook the mud minnows in the lips and cast them up current. Keep your rod tip high to help keep them from snagging on the bottom and work them back to your position then repeat.
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Mullet:
Mullet are larger than shrimp and mud minnows so you will often have to use a larger hook to maximize your redfish catch. I like to use a 2/0 or 3/0 when I am fishing with finger mullet for redfish.
My favorite technique is to use a bobber to slow the mullet down a little bit. Redfish have a problem hitting lures and baits that are on the top of the water.
They are just not designed for that type of feeding. Their mouths are under their body and they have an over bite. If you can slow down your bait, then you will have a much better chance to get a hook up on the top of the water column.
Mullet like to stay within a few inches of the water's surface but if you are fishing in deep water for redfish you can add a sinker and get them in the redfish's strike zone.
Watch the video below to see some redfish action using a live finger mullet.
Pin Fish:
Pin fish are another great bait for catching redfish. Pin fish are great for redfish because they like to hide near the bottom where the redfish are usually rooting around looking for food.
You do not need to add a weight to a pin fish to get it down to the bottom because that is where they will be heading the second they hit the water.
If you are fishing for big redfish with a big palm sized pin fish then you will have to step up your hook size again. I would probably use a 3/0 to a 5/0 hook if I was using a palm sized pin fish.
A great way to use a pin fish is under a popping cork if you are fishing in water that is only 2 or 3 feet deep. You will want to set the bobber so that your pin fish is 5 or 6 inches above the bottom and cast it up current or towards structure like a dock or something.
The pin fish will try its hardest to get to the bottom but the cork with stop it. The whole time it will be sending out all sorts of the low frequency vibrations that attract predators like redfish.
What is the best hook size for redfish using dead baits?
This really depends upon the size of the redfish that you are targeting and the size of the baits that you will be using. When I am targeting larger fish I will usually go to a fresh dead bait technique of some sort.
I have found over my many decades of fishing that the big fish. I mean the monsters. Those fish are smart and lazy. They would much rather eat something without putting any effort into obtaining those calories.
This goes for tarpon, snook, speckled trout and yes, redfish. My largest tarpon, snook, speckled trout, and redfish have all been caught using fresh dead bait on the bottom.
The key to using dead bait is the circle hook. You will want to use a circle hook so that the fish hooks itself when it swims away. This takes all of the chances of angler error out of the equation and it keeps the fish from getting gut hooked.
All that you have to do is cast your dead bait out and put the rod in the rod holder and wait for the fish to get hooked. It is as simple as that.
When I am fishing with dead bait it is almost always to target an over slot fish of some kind. BUT you can also catch keep sized redfish with dead bait too.
Lady Fish:
A chunk of lady fish is a great choice for catching redfish. A 2 inch by 2 inch chunk of lady fish will work just fine for redfish. The problem with small pieces of dead bait is all of the catfish that will often find your bait first.
Your best hook size choices for this scenario are 2/0 or 3/0.
Make sure not to use the tail. Cut that part off because it makes the casting harder and the redfish don't like it.
You can toss the piece of lady fish up to an oyster bar that has a nice tidal flow moving around it. Redfish love to hunt around oyster bars.
Another great spot to toss a chunk of lady fish is up tight against the mangroves or Spartina grass if you are in a higher latitude without mangroves around. Redfish love to cruise mangroves and grass lines with the incoming and outgoing tides.
Mullet:
A 12 inch mullet is a great choice for a dead bait fishing scenario. The head is the best part of the mullet for tarpon and snook but redfish seem to prefer the other parts of the body for some reason.
You can get 3 nice pieces of mullet out of a 12 inch mullet. Cut the tail off and use the back piece; the middle piece and then the head. The best hook size for this scenario will range from a 3/0 to a 5/0 depending upon the size of the baits that you are using.
You will want to use it the same way that you use the lady fish. Just pitch it up to where you think a redfish might be now or soon and wait. Any structure will do. It might be a dock piling, an old tire, a log....... whatever it is as long as a redfish can use it to ambush its food.
Watch the video below to see some dead bait redfish action and tips.
Pin Fish:
Pin fish are excellent dead baits for redfish, snook, tarpon and speckled trout. BUT this article is about redfish so let's talk about preparing the perfect dead pin fish presentation.
You will want to remove the head and the tail of the pin fish. Redfish prefer it that way so give them what they want. This is like giving the redfish the tenderloin part of the pin fish.
The best hook size for this scenario will probably be a 2/0 or a 3/0. If the pin fish are huge then you might want to cut the middle piece in half or step up to a 4/0 or 5/0 hook size. You will have to use your angler discretion to figure out what is best for the scenario that you are in.
Conclusion:
Determining the correct hook size will often determine whether or not you will catch a fish or two or a dozen. You will definitely need an assortment of hook sizes to catch your fair share of redfish.
My hook sizes range from a #2 j hook up to a 5/0 circle hook. Those hook sizes cover just about every fishing scenario that I am ever involved in. The smaller #2 hooks are for sheepshead, mangrove snappers, whiting, croakers........ and the 5/0 circle hooks are for 5 feet tarpon and sharks.
If you can have those hook sizes in your tackle box from #2 j hook up to 5/0 circle hooks then you will be good to go for catching every inshore fish that you want to catch.
You will need all 7 of those hook sizes to maximize your redfish fishing success. I hope that this article helps you catch more redfish or at the very least have more fun trying.
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