The Surprising Similarities Between Largemouth Bass and Redfish Baits

This fish couldn't say no to the Zman Crawz

Largemouth Bass and Redfish: Similar Predatory Fish

Largemouth bass and redfish are very similar predatory fish. Both use opportunistic and ambush strategies to hunt. This allows for overlapping tactics when targeting either species. Typically, if you’re in a saltwater setting that resembles an area where you’d find a largemouth bass in freshwater, you’re probably in the right spot to find a redfish.

Another Charleston redfish released to fight another day. All smiles!

First Redfish on the Zoom Lizard, they work!

Bass Baits Are Effective for Redfish

Bass fishing makes up a huge part of the fishing industry, and it’s easy to see why. Bass are found all over the United States and can thrive in everything from rivers to ponds. The convenience of being able to fish for them has made largemouth bass one of the most sought-after game fish. Redfish, however, are more concentrated in coastal waters, from Texas up to some of the northeastern states.

Walking through most tackle shops on the southeastern coast, it’s easy to see the similarities in baits. Paddle tails, flukes, jigs, and swimbaits are commonly found in both freshwater and saltwater aisles.

I don't know who was more surprised, us or the fish!

I visited my local Walmart and purchased some Zoom Lizards and Z-Man Crawz—both are very common bass baits but not typically used for Charleston redfish. I paired each plastic lure with a Z-Man Ned Head and a 3’ 20lb fluorocarbon leader. The rod I chose was a 7ft medium-action rod with a 1000-series reel and 6lb braid.

I decided to fish the lizard first. Since it was the larger of the two, I assumed it might be difficult to get a bite. On the first day, I hooked into several large fish but couldn’t land any. The next day, I was poling along a main shoreline during low tide when a large school of redfish pushed toward me. I had my angler cast past the school, land the plastic on the shoreline, then retrieve the lizard into the school and let it drop in front of a fish. The second it started to sink, a huge redfish shot through the school and hammered the lure! After a long fight, we got the fish to the boat and netted it.

Having had success with the Zoom Lizard, I decided to switch to the Z-Man Crawz. On the first cast, a juvenile flounder ate the plastic just seconds after it hit the water. After releasing the flounder, I made another cast, and the Crawz was bit within seconds of the retrieve—this time by a nice redfish!

Slow steady retrieve with the lizard had this fish hot and bothered

A More Affordable Option

Using bass plastics for redfish can also save you money. Saltwater-specific lures and plastics are usually priced higher due to the use of stainless steel and corrosion-resistant materials. However, bass soft plastics are mass-produced on a larger scale, making them more affordable. Additionally, soft plastics don’t have a long shelf life once used. A pack of bass soft plastics may cost around $3-$6, whereas a similar saltwater pack could range from $8-$12. By adding some bass plastics to your tackle box, you can stock up on effective redfish lures without breaking the bank.

Another victim of the Zman Crawz on a Ned head

Easier-to-Find Tackle

A major advantage of using bass tackle for redfish is its availability. In 2024, over 31 million fishing licenses were sold, with the majority being for freshwater fishing. Because of this high demand, tackle shops prioritize stocking bass lures, rods, and reels. As a result, bass gear is widely available. In contrast, saltwater fishing tackle—especially in inland areas—can be harder to find and more limited in selection.

Thanks for reading, Capt. Conner.