Inshore redfish must scavenge through the winter, hoping to find mud minnows or mullet, but they also find happiness noodling in the pluff mud, which provides perfect habitat for healthy colonies of tasty marine worms.
Marine worms come in a variety of different forms: flat, segmented or round; their scientific classification continues to puzzle scientists. While most will be considered nematodes or polychaetes, redfish are not picky and will feast when they find them, as they contain high levels of digestible protein and very easy to eat.
Anglers have good success with soft plastics in winter, and for good reason. Whether redfish mistake an angler’s offering for a small minnow, shrimp or marine worm, the slender, cylindrical shape is a good imitation of their staple winter diet. Almost any soft-plastic worm, especially one embedded with scent, will turn a redfish’s head when detected.
The fly angler should make sure to include skinny tails on their flies to imitate these marine worms. Rabbit fur zonkers are deadly additions to any redfish fly in winter. Neutrally buoyant and slightly sinking presentations are preferred.
Be the first to comment