Getting Rough
During rough conditions, make more noise. Throw baits that get the fishes' attention over the sound of waves and wind. On a windy day, don't scrimp on size. A 6-pound redfish can easily swallow a 9-inch mullet. Think what a 30-pounder could devour! Large baits also work best in muddy conditions or when bull reds attack adult mullets with vengeance.
Chuggers, also called poppers, can create quite a stir on the surface. They displace water with curved blades or concave nose surfaces. These lures splash water ahead of them when jerked. Toss a chugger to a likely spot and let it sit briefly. Then, jerk on it, moving it several feet before repeating.
"On a windy day, I want a bigger lure so it makes a little more noise and commotion," says Capt. Greg Hildreth of Brunswick, Georgia. "On calmer days, I throw smaller baits like Rebel Pop-Rs. For redfish, I slow the retrieve from what I would when fishing for a speckled trout. I make two or three chugs and let it sit. I usually see the push of big reds coming toward the bait."
