Redfish Fishing

Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), also called red drum, are one of the most popular inshore game fish in the southeastern United States. They inhabit shallow flats, oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass beds, making them a prime target for sight fishing and light-tackle enthusiasts. Redfish range from the Chesapeake Bay south through the Gulf of Mexico.

What makes redfish so appealing to anglers is their accessibility and willingness to eat. They feed on crabs, shrimp, mullet, and other baitfish, and will readily take both live bait and artificial lures. On the flats, redfish often 'tail' -- tipping nose-down to root for crabs in the mud, with their characteristic spotted tails waving above the surface. Sight-casting to tailing redfish on a shallow flat is one of the most exciting experiences in inshore fishing.

Redfish grow throughout their lives and can exceed 50 pounds. Juveniles (called 'slot reds' when within the legal size range) are typically found in shallow, protected waters, while larger 'bull reds' congregate around passes, jetties, and nearshore reefs. The fall run, when large schools of bull reds gather near passes and beaches to spawn, provides some of the most action-packed fishing of the year.