Nomad Design Shikari & Maverick Vs. Redfish
Swimming Plugs for Redfish – The Classic Lure That Still Dominates.
What’s in your tackle box? Probably a swimming plug. From Lauri Rapala’s original hand-carved balsa lures to today’s precision-engineered hardbaits, few lure styles have caught more fish across more species. Everything eats a swimmer from Crappie to Tuna, yet Redfish are one of the few species where this proven lure is still underused. Let’s change that.
Why Swimming Plugs Work for Redfish
Redfish can be unpredictable with wind shifts, cold fronts, and tidal swings often shut down the bite. That’s when swimming plugs shine. Their suspending or floating actions let you keep a bait right in the strike zone, triggering reaction bites from lethargic fish when topwaters and plastics fail.
When and How to Fish Them
For post-front or cold-water Reds, try a suspending swimmer like the Nomad Shikari 95. Its tungsten weight system delivers long casts, perfect balance, and a natural roll that stays irresistible when worked slow.
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Floating swimmers – Sit still, dive, and float back up, that pause often triggers the strike.
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Suspending models – Twitch hard, feed slack, and let them hang motionless mid-water.
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Steady retrieve – A slow, hypnotic wobble can turn followers into biters.
Pair your swimmer with a 7-foot inshore rod, a 4000–5000 reel, and braid with mono leader for perfect control and strike sensitivity.
The Maverick: A Next-Level Swimming Plug
For something Redfish haven’t seen, try the Nomad Maverick. This hybrid lure combines the traits of a popper, swimmer, and jerkbait in one. Its Patented Autotune System allows the line tie to move, giving it a wild, unpredictable darting action. It can be worked like a suspending swimmer, a surface bait, or a straight retrieve plug, versatility that makes it a true secret weapon on tough days.
When the bite slows, reach for a swimming plug. These timeless lures still outsmart modern fish especially when you throw something new like the Shikari 95 or Maverick. Fish them slow, fish them smart, and fool more Redfish this season.
