Soft baits: Hi guys, I’m looking to ween myself from depending on shrimp.What do you recommend for artificial (soft) baits. I fish mostly from a kayak, inshore flats, around the...

Happydaze Loc: Hudson Fl

Hi guys, I’m looking to ween myself from depending on shrimp.What do you recommend for artificial (soft) baits. I fish mostly from a kayak, inshore flats, around the ‘Cootie river on the gulf northwest of Tampa. Water is brackish, bottom is grass or murky, some oyster bars, 5 to 15 feet deep.Looking for redfish, sheepshead,

Greenyonline Loc: South Carolina

Check out DOA shrimp rigs on tube. When I got to Florida I said no way. I’m not paying for that. It looks stupidly artificial. Well, I was wrong! It works, with or without the popping cork depending on your water and fish you’re after. It catches most everything there. OBTW, the owner explored the idea of having it produced in China years ago and they treated their workers sooo bad especially around lead, he said no way. If he can’t sell it made in America, he won’t sell at all.
If the water is a little deeper the weights inside work well but for most flats just the lure or with the cork. Obviously if you are after sheepshead or in moving water by structure the shrimp is still king. Hope this helps.

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

Why weening off shrimp?

Happydaze Loc: Hudson Fl

For the same reason I enjoy kayak fishing. I want to simplify my time on the water. One less thing to deal with. No bucket to work around. Just a pole a small Plano box and bait that doesn’t need to be kept alive and replaced every 2nd or third cast. I can appreciate a quiet relaxing day on the water almost as much as a boatload of fish. Just lazy I guess.

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

Happydaze wrote:

For the same reason I enjoy kayak fishing. I want to simplify my time on the water. One less thing to deal with. No bucket to work around. Just a pole a small Plano box and bait that doesn’t need to be kept alive and replaced every 2nd or third cast. I can appreciate a quiet relaxing day on the water almost as much as a boatload of fish. Just lazy I guess.

Got it. Just wondering. Good luck.

DALE KEIRNS Loc: OHIO

Try a z-man willow leaf with a white swim bait on it. This is killer!!😎

Happydaze Loc: Hudson Fl

Thanks all for the replies. I’ll give DOA’s a shot. I have tried them in the past with little success. After watching a few videos, maybe I need to work on my retrieve. Are they scented? How do you store them? Can I store them in salt water or Gulp juice or am I overthinking this? Thanks again.

JackM Loc: North East Florida

DOA has the best reputation. Last one on the list. https://ameliafishbites.com/soft-baits/

Greenyonline Loc: South Carolina

Store them (DOA shrimp) by themselves in normal fashion. Don’t store with Gulp or specialty baits. They are a “do nothing” bait and require some finesse so patience is a must except when working under a cork. When the fish are active of course all that goes out the window as they will eat. If you want to fish “faster” you can use jig heads with curly tails, paddle tails etc.. Be advised that snakefish, puffers and others will bite your soft baits like crazy and ruin them often. You just have to grin and bare it. But it can get expensive (relatively). By varying your jig weight, hook and bait size you can cover all depths and conditions. Buy decent jigs. Beware the cheapies as the hooks are of poor quality and size is not optimum.