Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) are also known as channel bass, redfish or reds, and spot tails. They live along the coast of the Atlantic states, particularly from the Chesapeake Bay, south, to Southern Florida, and also along Florida's west coast, and the coastal area of the Gulf states.
Description and Diet of Red Drum
The world record redfish was caught in Avon, on Hatteras Island, North Carolina, and it weighed just over 94 pounds. Larger fish are often found in the surf or just offshore in the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico, but in some places, even big drum will move into backwater areas. These fish have white bellies, and copper sides and backs, and they usually have a couple of spots around the base of their tails. Red drum eat literally anything that they can fit in their mouths. Baitfish, such as mullet, menhaden, anchovies, sardines, as well as forage fish, like pinfish and killfish, and also crabs, shrimp, and squid are all major parts of the drum's diet.
Fishing Techniques for Red Drum
As the fish are usually not picky, there are many ways that anglers may go about successfully fishing for red drum. The fish will eat live bait, cut bait, artificial lures, and flies, all of which may be used according to the preference of the anglers. Flies and artificial baits for red drum are similar to those that may be used for other inshore fish, like sea trout. Baits should mimic the creatures that make up the drum's diets, and, just as when fishing for most fish, it is best to give the fish what they are feeding on. Fishing with live mullet or mullet lures or flies should be done when drum are seen busting pods of mullet. Spoons also work very well for drum.
Best Locations to Go Fishing for Red Drum
Redfish congregate in many particular areas throughout their range. Southern Louisiana is a great place to pursue these fish, as the expansive Biloxi Marsh is one of the most productive red drum fishing locations anywhere. The Gulf coast of Texas, and the Laguna Madre are also great areas, as redfish, as well as other gamefish like speckled trout, abound. Florida also offers some great redfishing, as does Savannah Georgia. North Carolina redfish thrive in the Pamlico Sound, and in inshore waters everywhere surrounding the Outer Banks. Fishing guides with expertise chasing red drum are available in all of these locations.
Red drum are one of the most popular species of gamefish in saltwater. When setting out to fish for reds, it is important to know the rules and regulations of fishing for them. In most places, one fish is allowed to be kept per angler per day, and all fish kept must be between 18 and 27 inches. Fishing for red drum may be performed using many various techniques, and that is why they are such a versatile and valuable gamefish.
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