Shiny or Dull? Depends on the conditions
One of the first things Bryan Watts will tie on for inshore fishing is a shiny topwaterbait, typically a Sammy 85 or 100 in chrome, to get the day started.
Inshore species such as speckled trout, redfish, jacks and Spanish mackerel key in on the action and flash. Sunny days with little to no cloud cover and shallow water flats combine for a near-perfect stage to let a shiny bait perform.
“Anything chrome, whether it’s shiny chrome or gold chrome, when you’re dealing with fish that pursue (a bait) is the deal most of the time,” Watts said. “But it’s not always foolproof. Sometimes with clear water on flats the shiny bait can spook fish. So you have to watch what you do.”
Lucky Craft - Sammy 100 (Chrome)
Like many anglers, Watts loves the topwater action with aggressive inshore fish. But the Sammy, and a Gunfish, too, are great search baits to locate fish. Fan cast on a flat and near deeper troughs or around islands and work the bait back with a steady retrieve. Stop the retrieve occasionally if you’re searching for trout because they will follow and then strike on the pause.
Lucky Craft - Gunfish 115 (Ghost Green Tail Shrimp)
“When you’re in 7 to 8 feet water and it’s off-color, fish key in on shiny baits,” he said. “They may be keying on little tinker macs or greenbacks or sardines, and they’re all shiny. So it’s never wrong to go with something shiny and bright and then change up if you need to.
“Here’s my theory. All gamefish and most baitfish, whether salt or fresh, have a shiny tone to them. I look at things as either real shiny or dull. If it’s sunny in the morning and then rain clouds pop up, you may need to go to more of a dull color. By dull, I mean something like the Ghost Shrimp that doesn’t flash as much.”
Check the conditions and know your baitfish, and then rig up accordingly.
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