Using A Variety of Live Baits When Fishing in Florida

As a charter captain in central Florida the absolute best approach to catching fish consistently would be to utilize live baits. While fishing with artificial baits and lures can be very effective and fun, most charter fishing customers aren’t familiar with how to apply these approaches. On the other hand, anyone can cast out a live bait and produce a solid result. For this reason, you’ll always find a variety of live baits on my charter fishing vessel.

Somethings to consider before selecting your bait of choice would be the time of year you plan to fish, the area/spots you desire fishing, and the species of fish you intend to target. As we know, fish will often alter their diets and feeding habits based on the time of year (weather fluctuation) and/or their reproductive cycle (when they spawn).

Below, I’ll break down my favorite baits to use when targeting the most desired saltwater fish species in Florida.

Let’s start with my favorite saltwater species, the Redfish. When targeting Redfish in Florida, I always use crustaceans as my ‘Go-To’. When I say ‘Crustaceans’, I mean Live Shrimp, Live Blue Crab, and Live Fiddler Crab. I’ve caught my largest and the most Redfish while using Crustaceans. Every once in a while, I’ll use live finger mullet or Pinfish to target larger Bull Redfish.

When targeting the Snook, I’ll always gather a variety of live fish baits as this species can be rather selective when hunting for their next meal. Personally, I like to use live fish baits that make noise and create an auditory appeal such as Pigfish or Croaker. I’ve also had a lot of luck catching Snook on live mullet and Pinfish. When fishing docks and bridge fenders I’ve caught Snook in larger numbers using Live Shrimp.

When searching for dinner and targeting Flounder, my first choice in bait would be live Mud minnows on a jig head. This bait and tactic never fail when targeting this tasty species of fish. You can have similar luck catching Flounder using live shrimp on a jig head. It’s the constant movement on the bottom of the column (sea floor) that stimulates the Flounder to attack its prey.

Another tasty species of fish would be the Sheepshead. When targeting sheepshead there are a wide variety of baits that are effective. While my first choice would be the live Fiddler crab, others like to use live Sandfleas and broken up pieces of shrimp. I’ve even used pieces of clam and broken up barnacles to effectively catch Sheepshead during the winter season.

Speckled Trout are really fun to catch with live shrimp under a popping cork. Trout seem to easily seek out a live shrimp dangling/fleeing in the middle of the water column. Once you locate a single speckled trout, there are typically more hanging out in that area.

A larger species of fish that puts up a great fight would be the Tarpon. When targeting the Silver King, I always strive to use the largest Live fish baits I can find. While giant Mullet (6-12”) work really well, I’ve also used small to medium sized Lady Fish to lure in feeding Tarpon. Keeping the Tarpon fastened can be he challenge. Ensuring your landed Tarpon receives a proper release is key to their survival.

Getting your hands on the correct live baits and keeping them preserved can often be a challenge. Knowing where each live bait thrives and how to catch them is a skill set in itself. Or, having a good relationship with your local Bait & Tackle shop can be very helpful.

If you’re looking to catch the trophy fish of a lifetime with a knowledgeable and friendly fishing guide, consider reaching out to Captain Marty of Reel Harmony Fishing Charters as he prides himself on providing a quality fishing experience while meeting your desired fishing goals.

Capt. Marty (386) 679-0317

Instagram:@capt_harmony www.ReelHarmonyFishing.com