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Fish of the Month
Red Fish
| Name | Red Fish |
| AKA's | Red Drum, Red Bass, Channel Bass, Drum, lesser known as Poisson Rouge |
| Description | Generally reddish (hence the name) with white bellies; however, they are occasionally very pale in color. They almost always have an obvious yellow-ringed black spot and sometimes more than one on the tail fin base, yet still on the body (see above). They have very large scales and no chin barbels (short whisker-like flesh). |
| Where Found | Nearly everywhere especially along jetties, shell bars, rocky or grassy outcrops and shorelines. They regularly feed in "shallow flats". They are fished by seeing them (usually causing bait fish to surface and sea gulls to flock). Smaller Reds roam coastal creeks, rivers all year but especially during winter looking for warmer water. |
| Size | Average size is 10-12 lbs, though 30 pounders aren't unusual are generally caught offshore. The last time I checked the world record was 94 lbs 2 oz. |
| Food Value | The 10-12 lbs range is one of my favorite foods. Red portions of the fish have no negative taste either. |
| Suggested Tackle & Bait | Red Fish display strength and endurance in shallow waters. Gear and bait is dependent on location and water conditions. I prefer open face spinning/casting reels and light to medium rods. Red Fish can be as finicky as cats but when hungry they are greedy and will eat baitfish, crabs, shrimp; also, dead fish, cut up fish and squid. Best artificial bait are (I'm told) are weedless spoons, tail jigs, top water plugs. |
| Suggested FishingTechniques | Any way you want! I prefer drifting, and just sitting in the boat fishing and sipping a drink; however, when you feel energetic casting works well. While in open flats, I've found Red Fish spook rather easily, so I like to get above them in the current and drift back down the current while floating a float and bait of choice into their feeding. |
| Wind Challenger | Wind from the east is little problem for our area and inshore, but when the south and north winds blow, we fish the canals (Gulf Harbors Channel), piers and docks especially the mangroves and oyster outcrops at the opening of the channel. |
References: Sport Fish of the Gulf of Mexico, Vic Dunaway, 2001