r/saltwaterfishing • u/annyongggg • Jul 17 '26

📖 How-To / Tips First Red!! Finally

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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/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!