How To Effectively Fish In Marsh Creeks [Fishing Report]
- By: Richard Thomas
- on
Get rid of old habits and start to effectively fish marsh creeks!!
This entire trip was centered around fishing creek systems during a low tide period.
Low tide can be one of the best times to head out and target redfish.
Take a look!!
How To Effectively Fish In Marsh Creeks [VIDEO]
Join the Insider Club and get the Smart Fishing Spots App for FREE
The approach on this trip was to fish both ends of the tide and the plan was to keep it simple.
The plan for my dad and I was to fish low tide pools for redfish and then when the tide begins to fill in, start fishing deeper pockets for trout.
For most of the trip, we were fishing with mud minnows as bait but I mixed in the Slam Shady as well.
Often, I am asked if using the Slam Shady lure color is worth it in dark, muddy water.
And the answer is always YES.
The paddletail design gives off vibration to alert fish of your lure in the water.
These lures can also be rigged on weedless hooks which add side-to-side wobble as the lure moves in the water.
The Gold Digger lure color often excels in darker water, but don’t cound out the Slam Shady!
Later on in the trip, the tide began to change over and eddies formed in front of us.
During this time, it can be favorable to throw out a live bait rig rather than artificial lures.
Live bait naturally moves with the water and presents itself naturally.
Conclusion
Low tide presents different fishing opportunities than any other time in the tide.
The fish are bottled up in small pools of water waiting for water and bait to come to them.
Always try live bait and artificial lures during these times of the tide to see what works best!!
Do you have any more questions about how to effectively fish in marsh creeks?
Let me know what you think down in the comments section!!
Finding The Fish Help
In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.
1. Weekend Game Plans (updated weekly)
These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.
2. Smart Fishing Spots Platform (updated every 15 minutes)
This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.
3. Community Reports (live feed)
The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Hey Richard, I’m A new salt water angler and salt strong member In the Brunswick area of coastal Georgia.
As you probably know there are Thousands of Rivers, creeks, and marshes to fish here.
I’ve watched all the tutorials and tons of other content online, But I still struggle to Find areas to key in on.
Since you are accustomed to our local fishery can you provide any insight to me On how you pick one Creek over another?
Hey Blake great question. So I go over some really good types of creeks in the weekend Gameplan that comes out on Friday and many times they are in Ga so you can get a good idea of what I look for.
This time of year I look for dead end creeks, and creeks that hold roughly 6ft of water at low tide. These deeper and narrow creeks are better at holding fish throughout this time of year through the winter. Also if you can find any that have structure such as oysters or downed trees etc they are usually a good bet.
Something about that creek fishing way back there! Good job Richard!
Oh yeah been waiting all year for it!
Hey Richard, excellent post — that looks like a mighty fine honey hole!! Appreciate the illustration — my ears really perked up in the beginning when you said you took the “Mother Ship” approach and took the canoe from the boat. Can you elaborate on this option? I have a bay boat and have been thinking of bringing a canoe on board and anchoring real shallow and then using the canoe to get into some expansive marsh flats or small creeks my boat cannot get into. Is this essentially what you are doing? What are some good habits and things to consider when doing this? I ask because I fish on my own quite often and first and foremost, don’t want to see my boat floating down the river when I return — so anchoring is obviously the top consideration but any other tips or suggestions before I give it my first attempt? thanks again, enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Hey Angelo! That’s exactly what we did.
So a few things to think about are
1. Make sure you can lift the canoe in and out of your boat from the water- it’s surprisingly difficult without 2 people just due to the shape. Adding a rope to one end if you’re by yourself can definitely help however.
2. I’d make sure you know the current direction and timing of the tides- it’s very difficult to fight up current with a paddle craft, even with a motor sometimes. So I’d plan a trip with the tides/current if possible or try and go on a slack tide before it starts ripping. Also the tide will change so anchoring your boat somewhere it doesn’t end up in the grass or on the mud can be important.
I typically try to anchor on a steep bank with the nose/bow facing into the current. If the tide is rising I’ll place the anchor further into the grass and if it’s Falling I’ll place it further out so the boat will still be in the water even at a lower tide when you return.
Boat sticks work well, but it definitely wouldn’t hurt to throw a main anchor out as well. If your anchor is tied off the bow you boat should naturally swing with the current if it happens to change direction while you’re gone.
Good luck if you try it! It’s definitely a lot of fun and usually worth the extra work.
-Let me know what this week after thanksgiving looks like for you, if we can get out there I think the bite will be good!
those are all very helpful insights, thank you. yeah the current does rip at times so mastering & mitigating that factor has to be right up there with positioning & anchoring. it’s too tempting, we’ve got some vast areas with oyster moguls all around you in shallow water was well as small creek & marsh systems where i know some good fish are trolling for bait. I don’t have a canoe or fishing kayak yet so it will be some time before I can try but I am working my way up to this. I’ve been fishing nearby waters for 6 years now and I am still amazed at how many untapped fishing spots there are that just require a little bit more maneuvering and adjustment to get into — but as the area and fishing pressure grows I think it will also be more important to get to those spots. as for fishing, this week after thanksgiving is open and I already planned to fish most days, so you are more than welcome to join me midweek or even next Sunday 12/4 when I will be fishing with Corey. And, hey, if we don’t connect next week I am sure we will down the road!! thanks Justin, have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Ok sounds good!