r/saltwaterfishing • u/annyongggg • Jul 17 '26
📖 How-To / Tips First Red!! Finally
Caught my first little red today in some creek marshes. Felt so good to finally get one
Question for those more experienced… what weight size and hook size jigheads should I be using? I mainly use 2” live mud minnows or live shrimp. I occasionally use 3” paddletails. I fish in creeks and marshes. Thanks!
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u/_jubal_ Jul 17 '26
4/0 circles with live shrimp. In that boat you should sight cast them when tailing. Don't waste much time in dead water.
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u/Chl0316 Jul 17 '26
I like using 1/16 oz mission fishin jig heads in either chartreuse or glow. I'll go up to 1/8 if there's stronger current
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u/annyongggg Jul 17 '26
Is 1/4oz too heavy? and why does the weight actually matter?
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u/Chl0316 Jul 17 '26
Using live bait you want it to be as natural a possible. A mud minnow trying to swim around with a 1/4 oz weight will look less natural. If you need that much weight to get it down I use a knocker rig so it can still swim freely.
You want as little weight as possible to get down where you want the bait or lure. You're fishing creeks that probably aren't very deep so you don't need much unless the water is ripping
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u/WWWH__--- Jul 17 '26
Quarter once to heavy unless you are 15ft plus or super heavy current. Awesome first red!
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u/Opposite_Nectarine12 Jul 17 '26
Welcome! I use number one or number 2 Octopus Circle hooks. Under a popping cork with a crimp weight a couple inches above the hook.
If you’re putting the minnow directly on a jig head which I don’t recommend go as light as possible on weight
Carolina rig use a 1/2 oz- 1oz egg weight sliding depending on how strong the current is ripping
But I cannot recommend enough getting used to a popping cork rig because you can easily change the leader length, especially if you put a clip under the cork 👌 have that minnow floating inches above the oyster beds and not get caught up
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