I've been trying for about 3 years now to find the magical mythical artifical bait that will catch spooky grand isle oil rig mangroves. We've had very limited success with various things, always doing vastly better with live bait than anything else. Currently I'm trying different marker 54 rigs and havent had much chance to try it yet but the outlook is bleak so far. It seems like trying to emulate a live shrimp just doesnt work. Ive gone through my arsenal of typical inshore style stuff, and now looking to try vertical jigging them next, but I have no idea what to get.

So without spoiling any of your super secret trade secrets, give me some more ideas of what to try.

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Posted by dalefla

Central FL

Member since Jul 2024

4593 posts

Posted on 7/26/26 at 8:36 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt

Rapala mooch minnow on as small a jig head as will get down to the fish or drop shot rig with a heavier weight 18-24in below the bait.

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Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt

Here

Member since Jan 2011

72591 posts

Posted on 7/26/26 at 8:54 am to dalefla

Do you fish them in Florida? Ive only done it there once in the keys, and we caught the shite out of them on hardtails, with a big heavy lime green jig head.

That whole experience was weird. The water was so clear you could see the bottom, 80 feet deep. That rig would have never worked 15 miles out of grand isle (i dont think) but we slammed them there. Seemed to be a billion of them.

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Posted by dalefla

Central FL

Member since Jul 2024

4593 posts

Posted on 7/26/26 at 9:03 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt

Yes in FL around Tampa Bay. The water is not as clear as the keys, though.

ETA... Around bridge pilings and other structures.

This post was edited on 7/26/26 at 9:06 am

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Posted by TheDrunkenTigah