You pretty much mentioned all the methods of catching them. I have had good results by trolling stretch 25's and drifting bait on the bottom in the pass this time of year. The ledges are where you want to be. The last time out, I was simply trollingstretch 25's along the west side of the channel when the two redfish hit. I had no birds or baitfish on top or on my bottom machine. I have yet to see a school or redfish, so I can't give any advice on sight fishing them. Although I hear it's an experience when you see hundreds of redfish busting the top of the water.
I have had better results on the first part of the outgoing tide most of the time. Here lately, thathas been early in the morning. It seems that the fish wait for the bait that washes out of the pass or something. But have caught reds on other parts of the tide cycle as well.
As far as depth, I try and stay in the 30 -45 foot range for depth in the pass.
As far as color. I have yet to catch anything on my pink stretch. All the reds I catch on stretches have been colored on top (blue, green etc...) and a silver/white underbelly. The last time out, they tore up my two piece blue and silver stretch. See pic below.
