This Artificial Live Bait Works Wonders for Specks and Reds

It's like saying "broke down truck running smoothly", but this stuff really works!

Berkley Gulp! Alive! Shrimp

"Artificial live bait" is an oxymoron for sure, but this bait has done some pretty awesome things for me. The bait I am talking about is Berkley Gulp! Alive!

I have no idea why Berkley gave it such an odd name with two exclamation points, but most anglers dumb it down to "Berkley Gulp".

It's simple. It's easy. We all know what they're talking about.

I am a huge fan of Berkley Gulp! Alive! products, especially their shrimp.

Saying it's an"artificial live shrimp" isn't far fetched, and here are some of the benefits I've experienced from using it:

Reduce Fishing Costs

Inshore fishing can be expensive enough as it is.

Fuel, tackle and more all add up to burn a hole in my wallet, so anything that keeps hard-earned dollars from escaping is a plus.

One of the greatest expenses inshore anglers face is live bait.

Shrimp are the most common live bait and people generally purchase anywhere from 50 to 300 for their fishing trips.

At 30 cents apiece, that cost quickly adds up, never mind tipping the guy getting the bait, keeping shrimp alive and cleaning up the mess they create.

But, when you use Berkley Gulp shrimp you can reduce the number of actual shrimp you buy.

Gulp shrimp can be used repeatedly and don't easily come off the hook, as live shrimp do. This helped me immensely as a fishing guide.

Or, do away with live shrimp and learn how to use a baitcaster to work artificial lures.

Catch Fish Faster

Fish can't "steal" Berkley Gulp shrimp off the hook. So if you miss a strike you don't have to reel in, re-bait and cast back out.

On top of that, no time is wasted re-baiting after catching a fish. Just cast back out and catch his buddy!

Moving with a purpose is key to staying on a good speckled trout bite. Taking time to bait another live shrimp is leaving fish in the water. So I'd use Berkley Gulp shrimp a lot as a guide to keep my customers on the bite.

I would rig it onto a kahle hook just like a live shrimp, either through the head or the tail.

Get Fish To Commit

This is key when using artificial lures.

Sometimes speckled trout or redfish won't fall for a plastic imitation. You'll know this when you see fish following your lure, but not eating it.

I use scents to overcome this and I believe scents actually work, but Berkley Gulp! Alive! is the ultimate scent. It's just so strong and doesn't wash off after entering the water.

Drop a Berkley Gulp Shrimp on a redfish's nose and he is guaranteed to eat.

My favorite Gulp shrimp:

I like Berkley Gulp shrimp in two colors: New Penny and Sugar and Spice Glow. Honestly, I pretty much only use New Penny these days, but will try the lighter color of Sugar and Spice Glow if I feel the fish want it.

Also, my favorite size is three inches.

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