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Tips and Tricks : Artificial Lure Fishing

Redfish fishing tournament power pole downNational Redfish Tour winRedfish Tournament Winter

Fishing Tampa Bay can be challenging at times as the seasons change, as the fish like to migrate to different depths and locations as the water temperatures fluctuate. During these times, we like to throw artificial baits to cover more ground and to simply find the fish. You can throw artificial lures through out the year, but I love to use them during Winter and into Spring because during these times live bait can be tough to get throwing your cast net. One of my favorite past times is to stalk a flat muddy or grassy in search of Red Drum ( Redfish  ). The thrill is beyond words when you get onto your favorite flat in search of tailing Redfish and watching them eat your lure. We call this technique Sight Casting, which is more like a hunt and is very rewarding from the moment you spot the fish, make the cast and set the hook. You can always work a flat though and keep making casts of course, but to save your arm from tiring out, sight casting is an enjoy able way to get the job done. It is not uncommon to also find big Speckle Trout lurking on the same grounds, as they too like to hang shallow during these colder months. You can get into some nice ones over 20 inches known as Gator Trout, using these same methods.

Fishing with artificial lures in Tampa Bay can be incredibly productive if you know what to use and when. With the bay’s mix of grass flats, mangroves, oyster bars, and channels, artificial baits allow you to cover a lot of water efficiently. Here’s a breakdown of what works best:

Best Artificial Lures for Tampa Bay

1. Soft Plastics

  • Paddle Tails (3”-5”) – Great for Redfish, Snook, and Trout. Rig them on a jig head (1/8 – 1/4 oz) or weedless with a weighted hook.
  • Flukes & Jerk Shads – Excellent for working the shallows and imitating injured baitfish.

2. Topwater Lures

  • Walk-the-dog style baits (like the Heddon Spook Jr. or Rapala Skitter Walk) are deadly in the early mornings and evenings for Snook and Trout.
  • Poppers can also trigger aggressive reaction strikes from big fish.

3. Twitch Baits & Hard Plastics

  • MirrOdine 17MR or 27MR – One of the best lures for big Trout, Snook, and even Tarpon.
  • Rapala X-Rap – A solid suspending lure that mimics pilchards or small mullet.
  • Gold Spoons (like the Johnson Silver Minnow) are perfect for Redfish on grass flats, especially when fishing in murky water.
  • Soft Plastics – Paddle tails, jerk shads, and shrimp imitations (Z-Man, DOA, Gulp!)
  • Topwater Plugs – Heddon Spook Jr., Rapala Skitter Walk (Best for early morning or evening)
  • Suspending Jerkbaits – MirrOlure MirrOdine, Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow
  • Spoons – Johnson Silver Minnow or gold spoons (Great for covering water)
  • Bucktail Jigs – Productive for deeper areas and around structure

Where & When to Use Them

  • Grass Flats (2-5 ft deep) → Soft plastics and suspending lures work great here.
  • Mangroves & Docks → Target Snook and Redfish with paddle tails and twitch baits.
  • Bridges & Channels → Use larger swimbaits and jigs for deeper-feeding fish.
  • Oyster Bars & Sand Pockets → Work a gold spoon or jerk shad to entice feeding fish.

Tides & Conditions

  • Incoming Tide – Best for Snook and Redfish around mangroves and points.
  • Outgoing Tide – Focus on creeks, channels, and drop-offs where bait gets flushed out.
  • Early Morning & Late Evening – Ideal for topwater action.
  1. Best Locations for Artificial Lure Fishing
  • Weed Beds & Grass Flats (Snook, Redfish, Trout)
    • Egmont Key
    • Fort De Soto
    • Weedon Island Preserve
  • Bridges & Piers (Snook, Tarpon, Jacks)
    • Sunshine Skyway Bridge
    • Gandy Bridge
  • Mangroves & Oyster Bars (Redfish, Snook)
    • Cockroach Bay
    • Bishop Harbor
  • Deep Channels & Passes (Tarpon, Grouper)
    • Pass-A-Grille Channel
    • John’s Pass

Target Fish Species

  • Snook – Best around mangroves, docks, and bridges; use soft plastics and topwater early.
  • Redfish – Found near oyster bars and grass flats; use gold spoons or paddle tails.
  • Speckled Trout – Active over grass flats; jerk shads and topwater work well.
  • Tarpon – Seasonal (Spring-Summer); large swimbaits and jerkbaits are effective.
  • Jack Crevalle – Fast-moving schools; topwater lures and spoons work great.
  • Flounder – Found near sandy drop-offs; best caught on jigs or shrimp imitations.

Tips for Success

  • Fish early morning or late evening for best action.
  • Use lighter fluorocarbon leader (20-30 lb) for clear water.
  • Work lures slowly in cooler months and faster in warmer months.
  • Match lure color to water clarity: dark for murky, light for clear.

Using artificial lures requires more technique than live bait, but it’s rewarding when you dial in the right pattern. If you want to refine your skills, booking a guided artificial lure trip can help speed up the learning curve.

 

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