[redyota]

So I'm new to the salt water fishing and i have a few questions. First i just caught my first redfish this past weekend throwing spinners and spoons in 3ft or less. But i want to be successful on daily bases and i have a few buddies coming out in July and we are fishing the Bay River area. I have the gear, boat and bait just don't know about what deeps to target for fish. I want to seek flounder, spec and reds mainly. What temps do slot reds move deep and what do i use to catch flounder and what surface/deep do i need to target.
I have plenty of gulp, bass assassins, gold spoons, popping corks, mirror lures and top water plus old trusty hooks and weights.

Thanks for the help and ill be willing to use my boat and gas for exchange for tips and spots. I have a 22' nautic star bay boat.

 

[stevef]

The Bay River is a fine fishery and your timing for fishing it is good. It's a relatively shallow river with very low tidal flow therefore not too many oyster beds (if any!) to target. My suggestion is to pretend you are bass fishing. Concentrate on boat docks, small creek mouths, points on the main river and the tributaries, and any spot along the bank that looks deeper than the surrounding area or has a hint of current. Stick with 3" Gulp shrimp on a 1/8 or 1/4 oz. jighead (colors not important) or a popping cork rig with a DOA, Storm Wildeye, or Vudu shrimp about 24" leader. Early morning or low-light conditions are good for topwater, walk-the-dog baits. For bait, try a Carolina rig with a 1/0 circle hook and a finger mullet, mud minnow or a tiny croaker. You will get at least one bite per cast if you use live shrimp. Most of the fish caught there come in 4' or less.

 

[sundrop]

If you will be on the Bay in July make sure you have the gear to go after an Old Drum it's the right time for 40+ inchers!!

 

[sandbar]

You might find this helpful.

http://www.fortunehuntercharters.com/charts.html

 

[Drum Runner]

Rather catch one old drum than a pickup load of puppies.

 

[trigger22]

Rather catch one old drum than a pickup load of puppies.

Especially the ones I sight cast to on the same rod/reel that I use to catch the pups. There's just something about a medium light action rod, a 3000 series reel, and 10 pound power pro that brings out the best in an old drum. Hands down my favorite fishery.

 

[Scott Hobbs]

Agree with Stevef....reds are in shallow water most of the time. Fishing for reds you will catch flounder, they occupy the same water and chase the same bait. Speckled trout will come into shallow water and chase the same bait, but they will usually return to cooler deeper water after the feed.

Topwater action should be good at that time frame. Mirrolure Top Dog Jr, Mirrolure She Dog and such will bring them all to the boat. Be prepared with other plastics and Pro Cure or Gulp baits.