How to Catch Redfish in High-Tide Grass
By: Rob Newell
Redfish aren't very picky. To catch one, you just need to get a jig in front of them. (Rob Newell photo)
When reds disappear into flooded grass, try this bass fishing approach from Bassmaster Elite Series pro angler Randall Tharp
Several years ago I ran into a redfish problem during high tides. I could catch plenty of redfish on a rising tide, before the water reached the marsh grass. And I could catch plenty of redfish on a falling tide as the water drained out of the grass. But when the tide reached its peak and flooded the rushes and cordgrass for a couple of hours, I struggled.
The reason for this slow period was pretty obvious: the redfish followed the rising water to the grass and then shimmied right past the grass line into the thick marsh grass with the tide. For the entire top of the tide period, they would disappear into the newly flooded shallows and root around for anything they could get their snoots on. I knew they were back in the thick stuff because I could hear them popping and thrashing back in the grass, eluding me the whole time.
Finally I’d had enough and I made a call to my new coastal neighbor, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Randall Tharp. Tharp has made plenty of coin in his pro bass career flipping big bass out of thick grass on short-line. If anybody could pluck redfish out of acres of flooded grass, it was Tharp.
“Look, I have a problem,” I told Tharp. “These redfish get way back in this marsh grass on high, flush tides and I can’t get to them. You think you could help me with that?”
“I think I might have the remedy for your little issue,” Tharp replied. “When is the next high tide?”
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