How to Choose Your Live Bait for Saltwater Fishing
Redfish, Stripers, and Groupers are just a few of the many fish that saltwater anglers will be going after this year. When choosing your live bait, it’s best to select one that closely mimics what that species of fish would normally eat or be gravitated to. For saltwater anglers targeting live shrimp, a dedicated shrimp net with the right mesh size keeps bait alive and secure from the moment of capture. Here are some of the most popular saltwater species fished, along with some recommendations on which live bait to use.
Speckled Trout
Speckled Trout are a favorite among saltwater anglers. They’re known as opportunistic feeders and will be attracted to a variety of different baits. Recommended:
- Shrimp
- Sardines
- Finger Mullet
- Mud Minnows
- Threadfin Herring (shad)
- Croaker
Mackerel are known to eat just about anything, but it’s important to pick a bait that can stay on the hook during fast reeling. Mullet, in general, tend to stay on a hook better than just about any other baitfish. Specialty mullet nets with the correct mesh keep them alive and lively in the livewell all day long. Recommended:
- Sardines (when casting close)
- Mullet
- Shrimp
Redfish are another favorite among saltwater anglers and are known as ravenous eaters. They not only love live bait but also dead or cut bait from the same source. Once you’ve selected the right live bait species for the day, learning how to throw a casting net with consistent form ensures you can actually capture them when the school appears. Recommended:
- Mullet
- Shrimp
- Minnows
- Pinfish
Known for putting up a great fight, the Red Snapper is a predatory fish and often found in deep waters off the northern Gulf. Many anglers recommend using smaller live bait that can easily fit in the Snapper’s mouth. For finicky small baitfish that can slip through oversized holes, choosing a fine mesh cast net ensures your entire catch stays secured from the moment the net closes. Recommended:
- Scaled Sardines
- Threadfin Herring (shad)
- Cigar Minnows
- Pinfish
Stripers are known to have picky eating habits, so many anglers are of the opinion that to catch a quality Striper, live bait is a must. Recommended:
- Threadfin Herring (shad)
- Mullet
- Bunker
The Grouper is known for their strength and for making you work hard to get them reeled in. Grouper can be found year-round in most places. Many anglers use a simple bottom-fishing technique for catching grouper and prefer live and shiny bait. Recommended:
- Scaled Sardines
- Mullet
- Pinfish
- Threadfin Herring (shad)
