Redfish Jig Heads: What Size, Color and Style to Use
A jig head and a soft plastic or live shrimp catches more redfish than just about anything else in the tackle box. But the wrong weight or style will have you hung in the grass or never touching bottom. Here is how to pick the right redfish jig head for where you fish.
What Size Jig Head for Redfish?
Use the lightest jig head that lets you feel the bottom. Reds feed on the bottom, but a slower fall looks more natural and keeps you out of the grass and oysters.
| Where You're Fishing | Jig Weight | Best Style |
|---|---|---|
| Shallow grass flats, tailing reds, skinny marsh | 1/8oz | Weedless swimbait hook or light Kahle Keeper |
| Oyster bars, creek mouths, docks | 1/4oz | Big eye or Kahle Keeper |
| Channel edges, deeper docks, moving tide | 3/8oz to 1/2oz | Big eye or Inshore Slammer |
| Jetties, passes, inlets, bull reds | 1/2oz to 1oz+ | Ultra-Nor 4X big eye or XL 3/0 heads |
Which Redfish Jig Head Style?
- Big Eye Jig Heads: oversized 3D eyes and a long barbed keeper for paddle tails and jerk shads. Step up to Ultra-Nor 4X hooks for bull reds.
- Kahle Keeper Ball Heads: a 30 degree 4/0 Kahle hook with a bait keeper. The wide gap holds shrimp tails and helps the hook find the corner of the mouth.
- BARBARIAN Saltwater Ned Heads: finesse fishing for pressured reds in clear water.
- Kahle Hook Live Bait Jig Heads: live shrimp, mud minnows and finger mullet near the bottom.
- Weighted Swimbait Hooks: rig a soft plastic weedless over thick grass and around mangroves.
Best Jig Head Colors for Redfish
| Water | Jig Head Colors |
|---|---|
| Clear | Red, copper, root beer, unfinished |
| Stained or muddy | Chartreuse, pink, white |
| Any water | Gold, and a red head on a white or new penny plastic |
How to Fish a Redfish Jig
- Cast past the fish or up-current and let the jig fall to the bottom on a tight line.
- Hop and pause. Short lifts with a pause on the bottom. Most bites come on the fall or while the jig sits.
- Sight fishing? Lead tailing reds by a few feet, let the jig settle and just twitch it as the fish gets close.
- Around oysters, swim the jig slowly just off the bottom instead of hopping it.
Redfish Jig Head FAQ
What size jig head is best for redfish?
A 1/4oz jig head is the best all-around size for redfish. Go 1/8oz on shallow flats and 1/2oz to 1oz in deep passes, jetties and strong current.
What hook size for redfish jigs?
Most anglers use 2/0 to 4/0 hooks for slot redfish, and 3/0 to 5/0 on heavy-duty 4X hooks for bull reds.
What color jig head is best for redfish?
Gold, red and copper in clear water, and chartreuse, pink or white in stained water.
Shop all of our redfish jigs, or read how to catch a redfish and Redfish Fishing 101. Family owned and operated. We pour and paint our own jigs right here in the USA. Buy any 5 packs and save 10% automatically. Questions or want a custom color? Call or text us at 904-852-5435.
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