Redfish After Dark: Best Natural Baits to Use at Night

Understanding the best baits for nighttime redfish can boost your catch rate. Here’s what you need to know about selecting the right redfish bait for the dark hours of the night.

For nighttime redfish, the best natural baits are 3-5 inch shrimp, small crabs, 3-6 inch mullet, and 4-6 inch sardines. Additionally, 3-4 inch anchovies, 3-5 inch menhaden, and cut bait are effective due to their scent and visibility.

Catching more nighttime redfish relies not just on the bait’s size but also on its appeal to the fish’s senses. Let’s dive into the specifics of each bait type and understand why they stand out in the quiet of the night.

Why Nighttime Baits Differ from Daytime Baits

During the day, redfish can see well and go after baits that look like their usual food in the sunlight. But at night, things are different. Many small fish act differently when it’s dark.

They might swim closer to the surface or gather in certain areas. Redfish know this and adjust their hunting habits. Because it’s dark, redfish rely more on their other senses, like feeling vibrations in the water, to find food. When fishing at night, using baits that move a lot, make noise or release scents can be effective.

Unique Tip #1: Bioluminescent Prepping

Bait Type	Bioluminescent Prepping	Why It Works
Shrimp	Lightly brush with bioluminescent plankton extract.	Mimics natural prey glowing in the dark.
Mullet & Menhaden	Keep in containers with small amounts of bioluminescent plankton before using.	Adds a faint glow, making them more noticeable.
Crabs	Place under a UV light for 10 minutes prior to use.	Enhances their visibility without harming their liveliness.
Cut Bait	Marinate in a mix of saltwater and crushed bioluminescent plankton.	Gives off a soft glow and enticing scent.

Note: You can find bioluminescent plankton extract or actual plankton at specialty bait shops or online. Always handle with care and make sure to use them responsibly without causing harm to the environment.

I have used this trick not only for redfish in Florida but also for seatrout and flounder after dark. It sounds crazy but it’s actually very effective, especially on slow nights when you need that extra edge. I have no doubt it will also work in freshwater for walleye and other stuff.

Best Natural Baits for Nighttime Redfish

Live Shrimp (Pink, Brown, White, and Grass Shrimp)

Redfish love shrimp, and the natural movement of live shrimp can be irresistible, especially when they feed at night.

Rigging the Shrimp: To rig a live shrimp, slide the hook through the tail or just under the horn (part of the head) to keep it alive and kicking, attracting redfish.

Ideal Conditions: Calm, clear nights are best for using live shrimp. Redfish can spot the shrimp more easily and are more active when the water isn’t too choppy.

Size of Shrimp: Medium-sized shrimp, around 3 to 4 inches, are ideal. They are large enough to attract big redfish but small enough for the fish to eat in one bite.

Hooks and Line: Use circle hooks in sizes 1/0 to 3/0 for best results. These hooks set well in the corner of a redfish’s mouth. As for line, use a 10-20 lb braided line with a 20-30 lb fluorocarbon leader. The leader is nearly invisible in water, making it hard for redfish to spot.

Rig Setups: The “popping cork” rig is popular for fishing live shrimp. It keeps the shrimp suspended and creates noise to attract redfish.

Mullet

Whether cut or live bait, mullet gives off a scent that attracts redfish.

Rigging the Mullet: For live mullet, hook them through the nose or just behind the dorsal fin. This allows them to swim freely and attract redfish.

Best Mullet Size: Finger mullet, which are around 3 to 5 inches long, are ideal. They’re small enough for redfish to eat and big enough to catch their attention.

Hooks and Line: Circle hooks ranging from sizes 3/0 to 5/0 work well with mullet. For your fishing line, choose a 15-25 lb braided line. Add a 20-40 lb fluorocarbon leader to ensure redfish can’t see the line.

Rig Setups: The “free-line” setup works best for mullet. This means letting the mullet swim without any weights, so they act naturally.

Ideal Conditions: On calm and clear nights, redfish can spot the swimming mullet more easily, making these conditions great for fishing.

Click here to see how good mullet are as bait for nocturnal redfish.

Live Crabs (Fiddler, Blue, & Mud Crabs)

Fiddler or small blue crabs can be excellent, especially for larger redfish hunting for a substantial meal.

Rigging the Crab: You’ll want to hook live crabs through one of the back legs or the corner of the shell. This allows the crab to move and attract hungry redfish.

Best Crab Size: Use crabs about the size of a silver dollar or slightly bigger. These are just the right size for redfish to munch on.

Hooks and Line: Circle hooks in sizes 3/0 to 5/0 work best for crabs. A 15-25 lb braided line is a good choice for your fishing line. Attach a 20-40 lb fluorocarbon leader since it’s less visible to fish.

Rig Setups: A “fish finder” or “sliding sinker” rig is effective with live crabs. This setup lets the crab move naturally while the weight keeps it down where redfish can find it.

Ideal Conditions: For nighttime fishing, calm and clear conditions are best. Redfish can easily see and sense the crabs without too much wave action.

Pinfish

These small baitfish are common in redfish diets, and their struggling movements can attract attention in the dark.

Rigging the Pinfish: You should hook them either through the nose or just behind the dorsal fin when using live pinfish. This lets the pinfish swim naturally and looks super tempting to redfish.

Best Pinfish Size: For redfish, medium-sized pinfish, about 3 to 5 inches long, are your best bet. They’re the perfect snack size for hungry redfish.

Hooks and Line: Go for circle hooks in sizes ranging from 2/0 to 4/0. A 15-25 lb braided line is good for your main fishing line. Add a 20-40 lb fluorocarbon leader, because it’s almost invisible to fish underwater.

Rig Setups: A “free-line” setup works well with pinfish. This means the pinfish can swim around freely without any weights.

Ideal Conditions: Nighttime fishing is best on calm, clear nights. This helps redfish see and sense the swimming pinfish.

Menhaden (Pogies)

Their oily composition makes them a highly attractive bait, releasing scent into the water.

Rigging the Menhaden: When using a whole menhaden, hook it through its nose or just behind its dorsal fin (the fin on its back). This way, the fish can swim around naturally. If you’re using cut bait or chunks, ensure it’s securely on the hook.

Best Menhaden Size: Small to medium-sized menhaden, about 4 to 6 inches long, are perfect for redfish.

Hooks and Line: Circle hooks are your best bet; sizes 3/0 to 5/0 should work nicely. For your line, choose a 20-30 lb braided type. Add a 30-50 lb fluorocarbon leader, a type of line harder for fish to see.

Rig Setups: The “fish-finder” rig is a great choice. It allows the bait to swim (or float) naturally while a weight makes sure it’s down where redfish are looking for food.

Ideal Conditions: For fishing at night, you want calm and clear conditions. Redfish can then see and sense the menhaden more easily in the water.

Mud Minnows

These are especially popular in marshy and grassy areas. Their erratic swimming action in the water can grab a redfish’s attention. Mud minnows are hardy bait. They can live long on the hook, making them great for extended fishing trips.

Rigging the Mud Minnow: For a lively presentation, hook the mud minnow through its lips or just behind the dorsal fin (the top fin). This lets the minnow swim naturally and looks appealing to redfish.

Best Mud Minnow Size: Choose mud minnows about 2 to 4 inches long. They’re the right snack size for a hungry redfish.

Hooks and Line: Circle hooks are excellent, with sizes 1/0 to 3/0 being the most suitable for mud minnows. For your line, pick a 15-20 lb braided one. Pair it with a 20-30 lb fluorocarbon leader, which is tough for fish to spot underwater.

Rig Setups: Using a “popping cork” rig is a good choice. This keeps the minnow suspended in the water, and the cork’s pop attracts curious redfish.

Ideal Conditions: Nighttime fishing with mud minnows shines on calm, clear nights. In such conditions, redfish can better see the minnow swimming about.

Ladyfish

Using cut chunks of ladyfish can be highly effective, especially due to its oily nature which disperses scent in the water.

Rigging the Ladyfish: If you’re using a whole small ladyfish, hook it through the nose or behind the dorsal fin (the fin on the top). For bigger ladyfish, you might want to use chunks; this makes it easier for the redfish to bite.

Best Ladyfish Size: For whole ladyfish, think about ones as long as your hand or a bit longer, around 6-8 inches. If using chunks, a piece about the size of a cookie works well.

Hooks and Line: Use circle hooks in the size range of 4/0 to 7/0, depending on the size of the bait. For your line, a 20-30 lb braided line should do, and team it up with a 30-50 lb fluorocarbon leader. This leader material is tricky for fish to see underwater.

Rig Setups: A “fish-finder” rig is perfect for ladyfish bait. It has a sliding sinker allows the bait to move naturally but stays near the bottom where redfish like to feed.

Ideal Conditions: Nighttime fishing with ladyfish works best on calm, clear nights. This makes it easier for redfish to spot and go after your bait.

Eels

While not as commonly used as other baits, eels can be very effective, especially for larger redfish.

Rigging the Eel: Eels are slippery and can be a bit tricky. To rig them, hook the eel through its lower jaw and out one eye or just behind the head. This method ensures the eel stays on the hook and looks tempting as it slithers in the water.

Best Eel Size: A length ranging from 8 to 12 inches is good for redfish. It’s large enough to catch the eye of big redfish, but not overly so.

Hooks and Line: Use circle or J-hooks for eels in sizes 4/0 to 7/0. Your main line should be a 20-30 lb braided type. Add a 30-50 lb fluorocarbon leader, as it’s less visible to fish in the water.

Rig Setups: A “fish-finder” rig or “free-line” setup works nicely. Both allow the eel to swim naturally, and this movement grabs the attention of redfish.

Ideal Conditions: Calm, clear nights are top-tier for eel fishing. Redfish can spot and sense the eel’s movement better in undisturbed waters.

Sardines

These oily fish can be used whole or in chunks. The scent and the oil they release can be very appealing to redfish.

Sardines for Redfish: Sardines are small, shiny fish that redfish love to eat. Using them at night can be a great way to attract redfish because they can smell and see the shiny sardines in the moonlight.

How to Rig: The best way to rig a sardine is to hook it through the nose or behind the dorsal fin. This allows it to move naturally in the water.

Ideal Conditions: Nighttime is ideal because redfish come closer to the shore to hunt. If there’s a bit of moonlight and calm water.

Best Sizes: Use medium-sized sardines, about 4-6 inches long. These are big enough to attract redfish but not too big to handle.

Hook Size: Use a size 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook. Circle hooks are great because they help catch the fish in the corner of its mouth, making it easier to release if needed.

Line: Braided line between 15-20 pounds is perfect. It’s strong enough for big redfish but thin enough not to be easily seen.

Rig Setups: The Carolina rig is a popular choice. It has a weight that slides on the main line, a swivel, a short leader, and then the hook. This setup allows the sardine to move naturally but keeps it near the bottom where redfish hunt.

Anchovies

Another small, oily fish that redfish enjoy, anchovies can be used live or as cut bait.

Anchovies for Redfish: Anchovies are tiny, oily fish that redfish find super tasty. At night, their oiliness can leave a scent trail in the water that hungry redfish can pick up on.

How to Rig: Due to their small size, hook the anchovy through its nose or eye socket. This allows it to appear like it’s swimming when it’s in the water.

Ideal Conditions: Just like with sardines, nighttime is perfect because redfish move closer to the shore to eat. A slightly lit night with a soft moon glow makes the little anchovies more visible.

Best Sizes: Anchovies are naturally smaller than sardines, so go for those that are around 3-4 inches long.

Hook Size: A smaller hook, like size 1/0 to 3/0 circle hook, is ideal. Circle hooks are good because they help in hooking the fish without harming them too much.

Line: Again, braided line is a good choice. For anchovies, you can go a bit lighter, like 10-15 pounds. It’s discreet yet strong enough for a hefty redfish.

Rig Setups: The Carolina rig works well for anchovies too. Its design allows the bait to be close to the bottom, attracting redfish that are hunting there.

Click here to see how to plan your redfish trip around the moon phase. Click here to see the best times to catch Florida redfish. Click here to see how to catch redfish after dark in Florida. Click here for a breakdown of the best ways to catch redfish at night with crabs.

Unique Nighttime Tip #2: Sensory Maximization

Sense	Technique	Benefit
Sight	Use slightly luminescent beads near your bait.	Enhances bait visibility in low light.
Smell	Dip bait in a mix of garlic oil and saltwater.	Increases the scent trail in the water.
Taste	Add a sprinkle of crushed sea urchin on your bait.	Sea urchin is a strong attractant for many fish.
Sound	Attach a small rattling bead or bobber above your hook.	Mimics the sound of crustaceans, a favorite redfish prey.
Touch	Use baits with varied textures, like fuzzy crab or scaly mullet.	Redfish can feel subtle differences with their mouths.

Some of these sound a little nuts but they do work. I learned many of these from a local bait shop owner I have fished with in Panama City. My cousin also taught me a few too. Give them a try and I know you’ll catch redfish in better better numbers at night.