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