You are rummaging through your tackle box to be inundated with lures that promised success? I bet some even had foolproof info commercials, but yet you have never had a redfish come up and look at the bait, much less inhale your offering. Suppose you are receiving a hardcore pitch to purchase artificial lures from anyone other than friends, family members, or experienced anglers. In that case, there is a likely chance that monetary motives are their priority, or the organization possibly sponsors them. Therefore you might not want to waste your money. I'm not saying that there aren't heavily marketed lures that don't produce, because that isn't so. The MirrorOlure products, for example, are excellent lures, and they advertise on all different platforms. I advise that you may want to proceed with caution and not get caught up in the hype.

Choosing a lure for redfish is one of the simplest parts of the equation. Although to become a great fisherman, there is a lot more to learn than "hook, line, and sinker," but it's not exactly rocket science. An old term but worth repeating is "match the hatch," This theory applies everywhere, from the east coast to the west coast, to the Atlantic, to the Pacific. There will always be smaller feeder fish, and right behind them, predator fish will follow. Depending on your location, most likely, the southeast parts of the U.S. Redfish consume various baits. A shrimp is hard to pass up, greenbacks, pinfish and threadfins rarely go unnoticed, and mullet provide that irresistible oily scent. With that said, your objective is to find out what is abundant in that immediate area and match the artificial to the most popular food choice. Other variables include the season, moon phases, and habitat.

My Top Four Redfish Lures

• Gulp Shrimp - Redfish have an extraordinary sense of smell, and that is why I favor Gulp; I personally like the 3-inch shrimp in the New Penny color. You can fish them with a jig head or weedless depending on the vegetation in your area. I like using a 1/8 ounce or 1/4 ounce Mission Fishin Jig head because they are very durable and super sharp. It's rare for redfish to pass on an adequately presented shrimp, regardless of the season. If sight fishing, the key is to cast ahead of the fish. I also recommend using the lightest jig head possible so that you do not spook wary redfish.

• Zara Spook - Another "great" fishing lure is the Zara spook jr. or puppy. Try and fish early or late evening. I prefer mullet or bone pattern. Walk the lure with a steady and natural wounded bait action, and it's sure to get the attention you crave. There is nothing better when the water is like silk, and there isn't a ripple; then it quickly erupts into a massive explosion of water with the sweet sound of the drag shortly after.

• MirrorODine Mini - The MirrorOdine lure is a proven suspending twitch bait that closely resembles a small greenback. Work the lure erratically and vary the retrieval rates to find what the fish want. If the water is boiling, slow your presentation down. Fish tend to get lethargic when oxygen levels are lower. I find that sometimes a good cadence is a twitch, twitch pause cadence.

• Gold Spoon - The gold spoon is arguably one of the best fishing lures that you can use to target redfish. The castability, vibration, and shimmer that the artificial omits are undeniable. The long history and proven track record of success by thousands of flats anglers help with the argument. I like the Aqua Dream spoon, I have built confidence over the years using the spoon, and it has allowed me to land hundreds of redfish. The weed guard protects in the grass and around structure but is pliable enough to make sure my hook up ratio odds are high.

There are many more, but these four lures should be with you if you are serious about catching redfish with artificial. Do you have an artificial bait that you favor? If so, don't hesitate to comment below; what is your favorite lure for redfish?