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RipTide
"Conley Grub"
I rig the tail vertical to the hook so that it swims vertical like a live fishes tail using the RipTide screw lock jig head. The screw lock keeps the tail straight and it stays on the jig through many strikes and hook ups, unlike other jig heads where the tail continuously slides down the hook. I have found this tail works best working it with a
slow jigging action instead of a hard fast jerking movement as is normally used when fishing other jigs. The tail moves with the slightest pull. I have had snook pick up the grub off the bottom while I was picking out a backlash with the only action coming from the tide
movement. Not only is this grub one of the best grubs I have ever used for snook, it is even better for rout, if that is possible. by Captain Jim Conley RipTide
Realistic Shrimp
by Captain
Tom Van HornTwo years ago in May, I was introduced to the RipTide Realistic Shrimp while enjoying a day on the water with Larry McGlashan of Woodies Rattlers, and Louie Gibbs of Culprit RipTide. Although our morning on the Indian River Lagoon only produced a handful of nice sea trout and a few small redfish, the knowledge I gained about the process involved in the manufacture of
soft plastic baits, proved to be extremely beneficial. As our day progressed, Louie introduced me to a series of new baits under development at RipTide, and he left me with a box of samples freshly out of the mold. As a guide and lifetime Florida angler, I'm always looking for new and improved ways to enhance my ability to catch fish, and with the looks and action of the Realistic Shrimp, I was eager to give this bait a try. The Realistic Shrimp is the perfect name for this bait, because its slow true fall through the water imitates a shrimp flawlessly, and on my next charter, its looks proved deadly to a boatload of fish. We started the day jigging with the root beer gold flake and hot watermelon colored
shrimp baits Louie provided, and we experienced continuous action, catching numerous sea trout, and ladyfish. Within two hours, we completely eliminate the entire supply Louie had provided, and to this day, the Realistic Shrimp is one of my go to baits. Some of my favorite techniques for fishing this bait are; while drifting the deeper edges of the flats, I fish this bait on a 1/4 to 1/2-ounce jig head. A long cast with the wind, and a steady retrieval with an occasional twitch is productive for sea trout, ladyfish, bluefish, jacks, and Spanish mackerel. For flounder, I use the some technique, but just drag the bait slowly across the bottom with a pause every few feet. For
redfish on the skinny flats and snook and reds around docks and other structure, I switch to the natural and gold'n glow colors, and fish them on a slow sinking stoopid rig. The stoopid rig is made using a circle hook and a Hitchhiker (see photo), and it provides for a slow sinking twitch bait with excellent action. The stoopid rig also is a killer bait for tripletail on flotsam in the open near-shore waters. At night and in dark water, switching to the nightglow color will improve the bite, and
last but not least, I always add a Woodies Rattling hook or worm rattle to the bait, which enhances the bait by adding the element of sound. For me, the Realistic Shrimp is a proven alternative to the real thing, and I highly recommend the addition of this bait to any saltwater angler's arsenal. Captain Tom Van Horn
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
Phone: 407-366-8085
email: mosquitocoast@cfl.com Captain Rick Burns
I have great success utilizing the RipTide Realistic Shrimp year round, cloudy or sunny, windy or calm. I fish it suspended under a popping cork attached to a length of fluorocarbon leader that keeps it just above the turtle grass. In water to 2', I rig it stoopid style with a circle hook. From 2' to 5' of water I use the Buttdragger™ hook to help get it down.
RipTide Realistic Crab
In the winter months when tides are exceptionally low and water
clarity is exceptionally clear, I fish RipTides two inch plastic crab. It's my go to bait for sight fishing redfish. I rig it on a jig head, hooking it right in the corner of the carapace just as you would a live crab. If using monofilament you can tie it direct to the line, if using a microfilament, or braid tie in 18
inches of 20 pound fluorocarbon leader. I cast the crab to fish I can see. When I pole up on a school of fish I secure the boat immediately. The idea is to keep your distance from the fish so as not to spook them. Then make the cast to the edge of the school. You do not want to drop the lure too close to the fish, rather you want them to see it on the periphery of their vision. I don't give it any action whatsoever, just
crawl it across the bottom with a slow retrieve. Redfish in cold water key on crabs, shrimp and shellfish because their metabolism is slower, and these are the most abundant natural foods. I find the crabs will generally catch 'em when nothing else will. by Captain Fred Everson | |
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Mud Minnow
The Riptide Mud Minnow is an almost exact replica of the baitfish Fundulus grandis. It is a killer when fished slow on the bottom with a 1/4 oz Riptide Screw-Lock jig head for Flounder. On the shallow grass flats, use a 1/16 or 1/8 oz jighead for a super productive trout bait. As a Redfish bait, it represents one of the most common small baitfish found in backcountry waters and estuaries. It is slim in design so as to
enhance casting accuracy. When jigged in short strokes on the bottom in front of a Redfish or Trout, they cannot resist it.
by Capt. Wayne Magdalena 
The Riptide Realistic Shrimp rigged with the CopperHead™; allows a slow-twitching, weedless presentation. This is perfect for a slow presentation. Tip: allow the Realistic Shrimp to sink into "potholes" on the flats. Reds & Trout love to ambush shrimp.
The Riptide Realistic Shrimp rigged with the ButtDragger™; allows a deeper, slow-twitch and weedless presentation. The low center of gravity provides a wiggle as the Shrimp falls. 
"To rig "Stoopid" style, clip a HitchHiker® to the CircleWide® hook and twist into the Realistic Shrimp. To fish, cast with a 6.6 or 7' light action rod, spooled with braided line. Use a slow twitch-retrieve combination. Get a strike? Don't set the hook! The circle
hook will set itself. Makes catch and release very easy. The Stoopid Rig is best used early in the season before the grass gets tall on the flats. (Before March) Switch to a weedless presentation after the turtle grass gets too thick. RipTide Mullet 
Riptide Mullet rigged with the CopperHead™ hook. Note how the hook is on the side of the bait for maximum penetration speed. This also allows the bait to fall in a turn. This rig is particularly effective around Mangroves and on the flats. Tip: use a very slight twitch with a s-l-o-w retrieve. RipTide Mullet User Guidelines . . . Captain Stuart Guthrie
I find that when fishing in the flats and also in deep holes and off ledges, the RipTide Mullet works best when rigged on a RipTide Pro Jig and twitched in a slow but steady, up and down motion in a lift... drop, lift... drop manner. Most of the time the fish will hit the bait on the drop so hang on. Captain David Rogers
The Rip Tide Mullet is one of my favorite, all-purpose, baits. I rig it on a 1/8 oz. jig head and work it around sand holes on the flats. I also use it in deeper water for trout. The bait is very versatile. It can be used for both jigging and swimming. I catch more trout with the RipTide Mullet than I do with live shrimp. Captain William Etheredge
Dense vegetation on the flats can wreak havoc on exposed hooks. The Rip Tide Mullet can be rigged Texas style with a 3/0 or 4/0 extra wide gap hook for snag free fishing. I prefer to present this bait without a bullet weight. However, if long casts are required or if the wind is up, add a 1/8 or ¼ oz. bullet weight. RipTide
Flats Chub
 Here's more proof the Flats Chub is the
most versatile lure you can fish. This Flats Chub is rigged as a top-water, popping lure. The Betts, Carolina Floater™ is pegged backwards and secured with a toothpick or rubber band. Think of it as a weedless top-water lure. 
This is the answer to those short striking fish after a cold front. Just 'skin hook' the Flats Chub with the XPoint, XGap Hook, slip on the Daiichi Bleeding Bait Treble™ and secure the top of the treble into the bait. 
The Flats Chub rigged with Aaron Marten's Rollin' Runner™ will get down to deep fish,
that crankbaits won't reach and with a s-l-o-w-e-r retrieve too.
Tip: Contrast works! Example: Use the Chartreuse colored head on the Albino Shad color. Flats Chub
One of the most effective soft-plastic lures ever made. The RipTide Flats Chub can be rigged for weedless fishing near the surface or with a jig head for a deeper water
presentation. For near surface fishing, we recommend the CopperHead™ hook because it securely holds the lure, even through vegetation creates an extended hook gap above the soft-plastic lure, increasing fish hookups! Cast the lure near your target and "walt the dog" back to the
boat by twitching the lure in a side to size, zig zag motion. When the fish strikes, quickly point your rod tip toward the fish and give him a second to "eat the lure" then take up the slack and set the hook. A common mistake by beginners is to set the hook before the fish takes the bait fully into its mouth. Hook Style
Advantages
Rigged with a CopperHead™ hook (see illustration, bottom) this style of hook securely holds the lure on, even through vegetation. When you set the hook, it creates an extended hook gap above the soft-plastic lure, increasing fish hookups!
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