Successful Strategies For Sightfishing With Cut-Mullet
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
Do you need anything special to catch fish while sightfishing with cut-mullet?
What should you do to get strikes?
I was out on an open flat recently with chunks of mullet and I could see redfish all around me.
Don’t miss the action and helpful tips below!!
Sightfishing With Cut-Mullet [VIDEO]
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Gear Used:
- Rod: 7’10 Century Weapon
- Reel: Daiwa BG MQ 3000
- Line: 20lb PowerPro Braid
- Leader: 30lb Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon
- Hook: 5/0 Owner Circle Hook
- Bait: Cut-Mullet
When I got out to my spot, I saw a few schools of redfish cruising the flats.
I tried artificial lures at first but these fish were extremely skittish.
So I switched it up and broke out the cut-mullet.
I noticed there was a tailing school right in front of me so I casted the mullet out beyond the school.
Make sure you cast out far enough in front of them so as not to scare them off.
Then, I reeled the bait slowly to where they were sitting.
Let the bait sink down to the bottom and hold on!
Cut-Mullet Chunks
I had fresh-dead mullet with me on this trip.
To target these redfish, I cut the mullet into about 2-3 inch chunks.
When you’re sightcasting to these fish, you don’t have to rig it a specific way.
Be sure to rig the hook through the meatier part of the chunk and always check the hook point for scales.
Make sure you remove the scales from the hook point.
That can be the difference between a good hook set and a lost fish.
Sightcasting To Redfish With Cut-Bait
The first and most important thing to remember when sightfishing for redfish is to lead the fish.
Take a pause and see which direction those fish are heading in.
Cast at least 10-15 feet in front of them.
This does two things.
It won’t spook the fish with a loud splash.
And it also gives those fish a chance to pick up on the scent.
Another thing to note is that you don’t need additional weight.
If you add weight, it will create a bigger splash.
The weight of the mullet chunk itself is enough to cast out and work with.
FINDING THE FISH HELP
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Every tried salted, like the ones you can get at Walmart?
Hey Dennis! I haven’t tried those before. They’re salted/brined to help preserve them longer but not sure about the effectiveness. Fresh is always best!
Lots of great info. Much appreciated! Thanks Tony, keep up the good work!
Thank you for the great feedback David!
Tailing reds! I would be jumping out of my skin. Tony you stay so calm and collected.
It really helps to see the fish before lobbing a big chunk of crab bait and picking up a big beautiful red. My question is.. ..what is your strategy if you inadvertently spook the fish in the process of seeing what will prompt a strike?
Those were some nice Reds!
Thanks Steven!
If anyone can do it right it would be you Tony your the master at everything inshore me not so much but I also don’t get out as much as you do either but I have NEVER been good with bait especially dead bait no confidence what so ever in it even though in skilled hands like yours I know it works just not for me plus the fact I really suck at using a cast net I wouldn’t be able to get mullet anyways unless I bought dead mullet from a baitshop but does one really know if it’s fresh or not? Anyways I’ll just keep chunking and winding away with my artificials its the only way I know and am somewhat good at thanks for the info and as usual all you do😉👍
Thank you for the kind words Steven! Cut bait can take a bit of patience, and you also want to make sure you’re using it in areas where fish are holding. Biggest mistake people make is going to area without knowing if fish are around and soaking the bait. Reds can pick up on the scent pretty quick if they are nearby.
Nice fat reds, Tony!
Thanks for the tip…
You’re welcome Ahmad!
Most Definitely another very good video Tony …. Cut bait and crabs work very well for catching Redfish and you are correct in saying when using lures doesn’t work then time to try something else; like cut baits and crabs …. Good video as well … !!
Thank you for the great feedback Thomas!
Tony, I have the same question as Pablo. Do you buy the fresh mullet or are you catching it and how.
I know Tony usually gets fresh. That frozen mullet turns to mush. One good way to reduce the mush effect is to brine the bait overnight.
Nailed it!
Hey Thomas! We have a bait shop nearby that will have some fresh mullet on ice every now and then in a big cooler, if not I will use a cast net and catch my own if I have enough time. Last resort would be frozen bait, but you will want it to be thawed out by the time you use it.
great how to do it
Thank you for the great feedback Ronald!
Great tips Tony! Hope to bump into you on the water again soon! It’s been a minute!
Thanks Guy! For sure, it has been a while!