Fishing for Speckled Trout and Redfish in Tidal Creeks and Rivers
The topic of this article is fishing for speckled trout and redfish in tidal creeks and rivers. These smaller bodies of water can produce some very nice fish! The main advantage in fishing tidal creeks and rivers is that the fish become concentrated. Tides even emphasize this.
Tidal creeks and rivers that hold trout and reds run from Maryland, down around Florida, and over to Texas. While the geography changes a bit, the fish’s behavior and the techniques are relatively the same.
Tidal creeks and rivers run the gamut what is comes to size. Near the coastline, they are usually open bays that are quite shallow. Boats are the best option. As anglers go up-river, smaller skiffs, Jon boats, canoes, and kayaks work well. Just watch the tides! Angers can also wade and hit these spots from shore, Matti fished this way quite often.
For the most part, cooler months are best as it often gets too warm in these little waters in summer. Also, rains can quickly turn the creeks and rivers too fresh for these saltwater species to be comfortable.
Fishing Tidal Creeks and Rivers for Trout and redfish
Special thanks to Mattie for the pics and technical information! Mattie fishes the tidal creeks in Texas. You can follow her on Instagram
Fish migrations in tidal creeks and rivers
While tides are an important piece to the puzzle in all saltwater fishing, understanding tides are crucial to success when fishing tidal creeks and rivers. Let’s go through the tide cycle.
On low tide, there will often not be very much water in the creeks. Fish that are there will be found in deeper holes. In this context, 18″ can qualify as a hole, it just depends. But, fish will seek out deeper water. If an angler can get to them, this can truly be a “fish in a barrel” situation.
As the tide starts to flood, fish will move up the creek and out of the holes and up towards the banks. For the most part, these are aggressively feeding fish and can be caught. As the tide reaches high, fish will be scattered out. In some areas such as South Carolina, they move into extensive grass areas. They can be difficult to catch as there is so much water for them.
As the tide turns and starts to go out, trout and redfish will move to ambush points. Any point, creek mouth, or structure is a prime spot, especially if deeper water is nearby. As the tide drops, fish will move back to the holes and the cycle repeats itself.
The primary cover or structure in creeks and rivers is oyster bars. These attract the forage that reds and trout feed on. Docks will definitely hold fish as well, same with fallen trees. Just remember, it is the bottom topography that is most important!
Best tackle and lures for fishing tidal creeks
In most cases, spinning tackle is the best choice for anglers fishing tidal creeks for redfish and speckled trout. Matti likes a 7 foot medium action rod paired up with a 300 series reel spooled up with 10 lb braided line. A 30″ piece of 30 lb flourocarbon leader goes between the hook and the braided line.
Matti likes to fish with artificial lures, this is just a personal choice. Lures do have several advantages, There is no need to but bait and keep them alive. Lures also allow anglers to cover a lot of water in search of fish. Finally, and perhaps most important, they are fun to fish!
DOA Shrimp
The main forage for fish in these creeks is shrimp, mud minnows and crabs. Lures that mimic these will produce best. Mattie’s favorite lure is the 3″ DOA Shrimp. Her top color is XXXXX. Full disclosure, she is sponsored by them, but that is because they are effective! The lure is fished two ways; free lined and fished under a popping cork.
When free lining the DOA Shrimp, Mattie likes to cast up-current then slowly works it back using the occasional twitch, The key is SLOWLY! The old saying “less is more” really applies. Matti also like to fish it 2 to 3 feet under a noisy cork. This helps attract fish, gives a visual reference for strikes, and reduces snags.
Bass Assassin Sea Shad swimbait
Swimbaits are simple, economical, and effective lures. The 4″ Bass Assassin Sea Shad comes in a myriad of colors. They imitate mud minnows, crabs, and shrimp. A hop and fall retrieve works best. Mattie like to fish it on a 1/8 ounce jig head with a strong hook.
Topwater plugs
Topwater bites are great fun! There are several topwater lures that work well in tidal rivers and creeks. The Whopper Plopper is easy to use and effective. A steady retrieve works well. The Rapala Skitter Pop is an excellent popper. The venerable Zara Spook is a classic topwater lure. These luresare more expensive and sport treble hooks.
Fishing with live bait in tidal creeks and rivers
Live bait is most certainly very effective when fishing tidal creeks and rivers for speckled trout and redfish. The top baits are shrimp, minnows, and crabs. The type of crab and minnow varies geographically, but are fished the same.
Shrimp are probably the most popular live bait. They are easily obtained at bait shops and catch every species that swims. Mud minnows are available at some shops. They are easily caught by anglers in traps and are very hardy. The same goes with crabs, whether they are oyster crabs, blue crabs, or fiddler crabs. Sometimes they can be purchased but often my be caught by the angler.
Live baits can be fished a variety of ways, The basic rig is simply tying on a 1/0 bait hook or 3/0 circle hook. The circle hook does reduce gut hooking fish. Anglers can then add a split shot or two or even a sliding egg sinker if needed for current or casting distance.
Live baits can also be fished under a popping cork. A live shrimp under a cork has probably produced more trout than all other techniques combined!
Other species caught in tidal creeks and rivers
Anglers fishing tidal creeks and rivers will catch other species as well. This is especially true when fishing shrimp and other live bait. These include flounder, sheepshead, black drum, striped bass (Maryland to North Carolina), and others.