Redfish Fishing

Last updated on August 22nd, 2020

redfish locations and seasons

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The widely distributed Drum family contains over 200 tropical and warm-temperate saltwater marine species, including Drum, Croaker, Sea Trout, Sea Bass, and Weakfish.

Also known to anglers as Red Drum and Channel Bass, they have a reddish overall coloration and one or more dark spots at the base of the tail.

These popular sport fish can often be found feeding at the bottom on crustaceans and mollusks – a diet that definitely contributes to the Redfish’s excellent taste. They also take small fish, especially mullet. Their usual adult weight is under 40 pounds but can reach into the 90-pound range. These large specimens are referred to as Bull Redfish or “Bull Reds“.

Where and When to Catch Redfish 

The Redfish is a much sought-after game fish that is found in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida, and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Northern Mexico. With such a wide range, where to fish for Redfish really depends on what areas are offering the best action in each season.

If you’re willing to travel along the Atlantic coast and to the Gulf of Mexico, you can experience great angling opportunities throughout the entire year. It isn’t hard to find huge schools making their way out into the deeper waters.

Although they are found almost everywhere along the Atlantic coast, some spots are more noted for their abundance and record catches.

The Hatteras Island which forms part of the Outer Banks in North Carolina is one such spot known for its big Reds in the spring. They can be caught here from just about anywhere during the season, even right from the surf or piers.

But the fall is the time for some really spectacular fishing here as the mullet run brings in trophy Reds.

The Redfish action is also excellent from South Carolina down into Georgia during this time of year. As the baitfish continue their travel inshore in October and November, you’ll find hot action with bulls in the 25-40 lbs range feeding in preparation for winter in locations such as the Santee River and Hilton Head, and the St. Marys River to the Savannah River. 

Further south into Florida and around into the Gulf states, the fishing only gets better as the Redfish season is extended year-round.

Florida is dotted with Redfish hotspots all along the Atlantic coast and the Indian River and St. Lucie River from Jacksonville to the 72 miles stretch that makes up the Space Coast (Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne and Palm Bay) to the Treasure Coast (Sebastian Inlet, Vero Beach and Stuart) and further down to South Florida and the Upper Keys.

In the Gulf of Mexico, those looking for trophy redfish will readily find them along Florida’s Gulf coast in popular locations such as the Sanibel and Captiva Islands in the lower Gulf to Tampa Bay/Clearwater and up to Apalachicola and Destin in the Panhandle.

Onto the Gulf states, Redfish fishing in Texas from South Padre Island, Laguna Madre, Rockport, and Galveston has proven to be extremely productive for Redfish anglers over the years.

Louisiana Redfish fishing inshore in Buras and Venice regularly produces catches topping 40 inches or more, particularly in the months of September and October.

From Gulfport to Biloxi in Mississippi, anglers are rewarded with world-class Redfish fishing as these areas consistently produce in number and size of catches.

Alabama rounds out the outstanding Redfish opportunities in the Gulf with areas of Mobile, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach. Here the Reds are so abundant they have been known to “stack up”, with multiple hookups during feeding frenzies a common occurrence.

How to Catch Redfish – Baits and Techniques

redfish taste and flavor

Because they are wary and will spook very easily, being stealth plays a big part in how to fish for redfish. This is especially true in shallow or very clear water. Approach quietly with a push pole taking extra care not to make any unnecessary noises.

Incoming tides bring with its food, baitfish, etc. that the Redfish will feed on. Also, small crabs and shrimp become more active on the incoming tide enticing them to feed at those locations.

The opposite is true for outgoing tides – as the water withdraws, they will wait and feed on whatever bait is carried back out with the tide. Channels and deeper areas are good places to find these cautious fish on an outgoing tide. Work these locations for some terrific action.

Shrimp, pinfish, small crabs, finger mullet, and cut fish are some of the best Red Drum bait. They can be fished under a float or free-lined into currents past structures or grass flats where the bait are. Many anglers, however, believe that the best way to catch redfish is by using lures, and there are several artificial lures that work well in catching them.

They include gold spoons, several varieties of popular soft swimming lures, and jigs. Fish these around structures during rising and falling tides. Tackle selection should include spinning or baitcasting gear using a quality fishing line of 10 to 20 lb rating and a 1/0 to 4/0 hook.

Redfish Taste and Eating

Because much of the Redfish’s diet consists of eating small crabs and shrimp, you would be right to assume that the taste has a sweet-moderate flavor and not oily at all. The flesh is firm with a slight reddish tint that turns to pure white when cooked.

Big Reds can be a chore to clean; removing the large scales is a challenge. Having said that, many Redfish fishermen prefer to fillet with an electric knife, first removing the fillet from along the backbone, and then cutting the fillet from the skin and scales. Removing the skin prior to cooking is also recommended to avoid having a strong flavor.

Fish over 15 lbs, however, can become tough and have a consistency comparable with chicken, rather than the flaky texture of many species of fish. Younger fish are often indistinguishable in flavor from Black Drum.

Redfish lends itself particularly well to being baked or broiled but are also delicious coming off the grill or smoker – they are also great in seafood chowders and soups. If you are not sure how to prepare it, ask your fishing guide or charter captain how to cook this most excellent fish and they will usually be more than happy to share one their favorite Redfish recipes with you.

 Parting Tips for Catching More Redfish

The Redfish is a challenging opponent on the grass beds and flats of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. The shallower the water, the more thrilling the fight. The bulk of small marine life and food will be found in shallow water around structures and near grassy cover.

This offers the small fish, crustaceans and mollusks protection from predators. Therefore, your target will usually be found near this abundant food supply.

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About Avid Angler

Dave "Avid Angler" Miller has been an author and contributor to Reel Adventure Fishing since its inception, going back to 2010. Dave has fished just about every freshwater and saltwater body from coast to coast and enjoys putting a lifetime of angling experience to use in helping others to become better anglers. In addition to penning featured posts, Dave also writes a good deal of our product reviews.