| The redfish (also known as the red drum) | | | | exposed in environments such as these. |
| has become one of the most sought after | | | | It's important to keep in mind that |
| fish in along the Gulf and Atlantic | | | | these type of redfish (that are found in |
| shores. It is primarily an inshore fish | | | | such "dusty" areas) tend to be somewhat |
| and became popular as a food fish after | | | | skittish. |
| being served in New Orleans restaurants. | | | | The pulses emitted by a boat moving |
| When anglers became enthused about | | | | along a little too fast may not |
| inshore saltwater fishing, the redfish | | | | necessarily cause them to flee, but it |
| then became popular as a game fish. Now | | | | will certainly send them warnings. In |
| it is the target of numerous | | | | addition, carelessly casting heavy lures |
| professional redfish tournaments and of | | | | into the area where the redfish is |
| anglers from across the country. | | | | serves as another surefire way to put |
| Redfish can grow to almost 100 pounds, | | | | the redfish on guard. As a result, |
| though most state records are actually | | | | stealth and caution become critical |
| smaller than that. Most states regulate | | | | factors in approaching near enough to |
| the size limits of keepers (which | | | | the redfish to have a fair shot at |
| typically must be between 14 and 27 | | | | landing one. |
| inches long). Redfish have blunt noses, | | | | Another reason redfish tend to stick |
| a chin without barbells, and a wide | | | | closer to shore is because of the |
| undercut mouth. | | | | incoming tides. These tides bring with |
| The color of a redfish is traditionally | | | | them food, bait fish, etc. that the |
| a blend of copper and red colors in the | | | | redfish will feed on. Also, small crabs |
| dark water, though in clear waters they | | | | and shrimp become more active on the |
| appear to be lighter. The underside and | | | | incoming tide, enticing the redfish to |
| the belly of the redfish is pure white. | | | | feed at those locations. |
| They typically have a variety of spots | | | | The opposite is true for those outgoing |
| at the base of their tail - ranging from | | | | tides - as the water withdraws, the |
| just a handful to as many as 50. | | | | redfish will wait and feed on whatever |
| One thing to remember when fishing for | | | | bait is carried back out with the tide. |
| redfish is that they tend to prefer | | | | On an outgoing tide, channels and deeper |
| shallow waters, specifically water that | | | | areas (still near the shore) are good |
| is too skinny to cover them completely | | | | places to find redfish. |
| (which exposes their dorsal fins and | | | | As far as tackle is concerned, light to |
| even part of their backs). One way to | | | | medium spinning or casting tackle with |
| search for these areas is through | | | | 15 to 20 pound test line is sufficient |
| seeking out more "dusty" areas. These | | | | for most redfish expeditions. Redfish |
| areas are often created during a low | | | | will readily hit artificial lures such |
| tide alongside grass shorelines that | | | | as plastic grubs and topwaters, but are |
| have been eroded by wave action, which | | | | most frequently caught by using live or |
| ultimately leaves a sort of shelves. | | | | dead bait. Those anglers who choose to |
| This type of structure extends from the | | | | go with artificial bait should use lures |
| present grassline to a dropoff in the | | | | similar to Bass Assassin swim-tail grubs |
| slightly deeper waters. | | | | in chartreuse or electric chicken |
| Redfish are commonly found moving from | | | | colors. Any small to medium topwater |
| the adjacent deeper water to the top of | | | | plug that causes a stir will attract |
| such shelves to feed. As a result, | | | | redfish early and late in the day. |
| their dorsal fins typically become | | | | |