Choosing the Best Lures and Baits for Inshore Fishing

The best lures for inshore fishing are easy to choose once you know what to look for. You’ll want to have a few topwater lures in your tackle box. These work great during low-light conditions, typically the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. That’s when fish are most active near the surface.

When it comes to color, keep it simple. White is always a reliable choice, especially on bright days. For a more natural look, go with something that has a white or silver belly and a green or black back. This mimics baitfish like mullet or pinfish and draws aggressive strikes from predators like trout, redfish, and snook.

For shallow water or when the fish aren’t chasing on top, switch to soft plastic shrimp or mullet-style lures. These are perfect for fishing over grass flats, around docks, oyster bars, and sandy potholes. You can rig them on a jig head or weedless hook depending on the conditions. These lures are extremely versatile and will catch just about anything that swims, from redfish and spotted sea trout to flounder and snapper.

Don’t forget that fresh live bait can be unbeatable at times. Live shrimp, finger mullet, or mud minnows are all excellent options and often outfish artificials when the bite is slow.

Lastly, focus your efforts around structure and moving water. Fish like to ambush prey near docks, oyster beds, and grassy flats, especially when the tide is flowing. Try fishing both incoming and outgoing tides to see when the fish are most active. A little experimenting with tides, depth, and lure speed will help you dial in what works best for your local spots.