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