lures for salt?

ivn

OK... I admit it.  In over 40 years of fishing saltwater, I've never done anything more than bait fishing under a float on on the bottom.

Think I'd like to try a lure or two, just to have something to do while waiting for the bait to get bit. 

Since my current freshwater lure selection runs towards 1/16oz beetle spins and 4" worms with a split shot or 1/16oz bullet weight, I don't think I have what I need....   Or will a 3-4" jerkbait on a j-hook work like it does for bass?  Remember, I'm posting here 'cause 80% of my fishing is off the pier at Shell Mound...

Anyway, suggestions on two or three lures for salt (redfish, trout, drum) would be appreciated.

gatorsaint

The three I would recommend are a 3" Gulp shrimp, a 5" soft plastic jerk bait and a 4" paddletail. Fish all of these on a 1/4 or 1/8 oz jig head depending on the depth you are fishing. These three are simple, but effective.

Slacker

and yes the freshwater baits work, chunk em out there

I love 3" gulps on a quarter oz. leadhead

jerkbaits are hot

4WARD

You need a canoe ivn.
Save the lure money and find a $200 canoe.

tankered

Zoom flukes on jigheads have worked well for me inshore. As said above, weight of jig will vary with conditions

Elapid

and toss a gold weedless spoon too

4WARD

I’ve had success tossing top water poppers and spook jrs at the mound. Usually early morning for trout.
Gold spoon or redfish magic would be worth throwing.

Have you explored other areas? Like up behind the cemetery? Waiting for fish to come to you is your biggest problem IMHO. You can cover a lot of ground all over CK with an old pair of tennis shoes and a willingness to get dirty.

RevJoeyFitz

A few I would recommend:

1. Gold spoon. Works great for reds. 

2. A Mirrodine by Mirrorlure. It’s a suspending jerk bait. Works for about anything. 

3. Always need to have a few jig heads (I like 1/8 & 1/4 oz bass pro) with some soft baits. Gulp is the standard but usually only good for one or two bites and the fish rip them a part. The Berkley powerbait jerk mullet is my fav on the flats. Also, mirrorlure makes some good swim baits. 

Just a few recommendations 

Wishin i was fishin

Aquadream gold spoon, mirrodine in the pinfish pattern, and a big topwater are a few of my favorites.

The_Bearded_Angler

If it's traditional lures you're looking for and not soft baits I'm a fan of the Yo-Zuri 3D Inshore series, specifically the 3D Inshore Twitch Bait (2' suspending) and the 3D Inshore Surface Minnow ( 0' - 1' floating). Durable and the colors are fantastic. If it's soft then it's hard to go wrong with the Z-Man Diezel Minnowz. 

ocala

Most of your shallow running freshwater lures will work but change the hooks. These bruisers out here will straighten out and break those hooks. Also they will rust.  

10kman

Add to your inventory.1.Gold spoons both treble and weedless.2.Shrimp on a 1/8 0r 1/4 oz.jig.
3.Asst.of 1/8-1/4 oz bucktail jigs. 

nick

Doa paddle tail will catch just about anything in the gulf. 

Quad32x

nick said:

Doa paddle tail will catch just about anything in the gulf. 

Whats some good colors Capt Nick ?

Gr8Laker

Brown sparkle with a chartreuse tail in the early morning. Clear sparkle fork or paddle tail mid day and under the mangroves, chicken around the spoil banks works for me. Plus a mirrodine and gold weedless spoon. Spanish mackerel will hit anything shiny that's moving fast so be sure to use a light wire leader. I use 29# wire.

Quad32x

Gr8Laker said:

Brown sparkle with a chartreuse tail in the early morning. Clear sparkle fork or paddle tail mid day and under the mangroves, chicken around the spoil banks works for me. Plus a mirrodine and gold weedless spoon. Spanish mackerel will hit anything shiny that's moving fast so be sure to use a light wire leader. I use 29# wire.

Thank you sir !

Chilly

ugh, all you spoon guys.  i hate spoon fishing. never worked well for me.  would much rather throw a plug or white soft jerk bait.

fish3021

Spoons, topwaters, twitch baits, and jerk baits should work well.

Elapid

Chilly said:

ugh, all you spoon guys.  i hate spoon fishing. never worked well for me.  would much rather throw a plug or white soft jerk bait.

120% there with you Chilly. they were never a confidence bait for me, but they work too well under too many conditions to not be a top tier bait. as a search bait, in the wind, in cover that would foul other baits; spoons will get it done. and don't underestimate the tiny ones

Flash

Got a lot I am getting rid of since my salt days are over. Anyone near Chiefland, give me a holler.

smh

Flash,
I'm not too far from you and make my way to Chiefland on occasion.  I'd be interested in your tackle.

Flash

smh said:

Flash,
I'm not too far from you and make my way to Chiefland on occasion.  I'd be interested in your tackle.

Sent you a response. Let me know if you are interested.