Red isn't dead: There's more than just snapper in area waters (PHOTOS)

Red snapper might be off limits, but redfish is fair game.

And Capt. Phil Rooks of the charter boat Fish Finder and Redfish Professional Sonny Granger shared some tips on how and where to catch redfish during an Emerald Coast Saltwater Seminar at the North Light Yacht Club in Niceville.

Regulations say you can only keep one per day, and they can’t be smaller than 18 inches or larger than 27 inches.

There are plenty of redfish around bigger than that, but they have to go back.

“Redfish are kind of gluttons,” Rooks said. “They eat big baits,” between six and eight inches long.

Rooks says the best bait to snag a redfish on is a “live croaker,” which can be found back in the bayous.

Redfish also like live crab. He recommended a crab about four inches wide.

“Redfish can’t take it, they love it. They like anything that swims,” Rooks said. “But if you get a bait to small, it’s no good.”

Granger suggested menhaden.

“Menhaden are kind of like candy to them,” Granger said.  He hooks the menhaden in the tail so he’s free to swim around.

WHERE AND WHEN

As to where and when to catch redfish, Rooks said to hit the beach in the two troughs in the early morning or late afternoon.

“Run the outside edge and pull a Stretch 25 lure that will dive on you,” Rooks said, noting he likes the Stretch 25 that’s gold with a white back.

“You can literally troll for redfish,” Granger said. And in only 45 foot of water, Rooks added. 

Another hot spot for redfish are the bridges on an outgoing tide.

“When the tide-line passes under the bridge they are going to be there” about 45 minutes later, Rooks said.

The trough on the north side of the Destin bridge near the Coast Guard Station is another good spot. Rooks said he has caught 50-pound reds in that area before.

Granger said the Brooks Bridge, Navarre Bridge, Bob Sikes Bridge and Mid-Bay Bridge all are redfish havens.

When fishing around the Mid-Bay, Rooks said troll as close to the pilings as you can.

Near the west jetties is another great spot. Rooks says he likes to anchor the boat in about 6 feet of water and then fish back in the 15-foot hole with a slip lead rig.

“A 4-ounce lead will hold you,” he said.

Another good place to find redfish is in the Intracoastal Waterway.

However, “If there’s no water moving in there, they won’t bite,” Rooks said. “You want the current and the wind going the same direction.”

“Look for points and holes along the way,” Granger said. “Anywhere a fish can hide.” A hole to a redfish is only about two feet, Rooks added.

The grass beds around the Sandestin area are a good spot for big reds as well as Hogtown Bayou. At Hogtown, Rooks said the redfish are mixed in with the mullet, but look for the redfish to be on the outside areas.

“On the grass flats look for a sand hole or prop scars … anything that’s going to draw the fish’s attention” Rooks said. He added that the fish also hang out around the edges of the grass.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

A stone to sharpen hooks and a good pair of sunglasses is a must.

“Most hooks are not that sharp when they come out of the package,” Granger said. He carries a small stone to keep his hooks sharp. “That little bit of sharpness makes all the difference in the world.”

As for sunglasses, “If you can’t see, you’re losing half the battle,” Granger said.

So polarized glasses are a must.

“The polarization helps you see into the water,” he said. “It also helps you from making mistakes as well as headaches.”

They suggested a 580 mirrored lens or an amber lens.

ARTIFICAL BAITS

“When everything else fails, a lead headed jig with a plastic” is always good, Rooks said. “You want just enough lead to keep in contact with the bottom,” and you want to fish the plastic slow.

“You want little bumps,” Granger said. “The fish picks up on the vibration.”

A gold or black spoon works well on the bottom, Rooks said

“These guys really work,” Granger said of the black spoon lure. “Use ’em like a worm and retrieve slowly … pull up, then drop.”

A crippled herring jig “works exceptionally well” when vertically fishing around structures, Rooks said.

A popping cork rig works well too.

This rig has a weight on the bottom, and “You can throw it a country mile,” Rooks said.

“It’s like bream fishing,” Granger said. “The cork goes down when you get a bite. It almost sets the hook for you.”