Yes, you can catch redfish in saltwater. Redfish, also known as red drum, are a popular target for anglers along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. These strong fighters offer a thrilling experience for both novice and experienced fishermen. This guide will delve into everything you need to know to significantly boost your redfish catch. We’ll cover where to find them, the best times to fish, and the most effective techniques, bait, lures, and tackle.
Finding Redfish: Deciphering Redfish Fishing Spots
Locating redfish is the first step to a successful outing. These adaptable fish inhabit a variety of saltwater environments. Knowing where to look is key.
Coastal Waters: The Redfish Playground
Redfish are primarily found in coastal waters. This includes bays, estuaries, sounds, and marshes. They also patrol shorelines, oyster reefs, and flats.
- Shallow Flats: These are the classic redfish haunts. Look for areas with clear water where you can spot their tell-tale “tailing” or “mudding” as they feed.
- Oyster Reefs: Redfish love to ambush prey around oyster beds. The complex structure provides excellent cover and attracts smaller baitfish.
- Grass Flats: Lush seagrass beds are another prime location. They offer both food and shelter for redfish.
- Channels and Gutters: Deeper channels and cuts within bays and estuaries can hold redfish, especially during tidal changes or when seeking refuge from predators.
- Nearshore Beaches and Passes: As redfish grow larger, they often move into nearshore waters, surf zones, and inlets.
Factors Influencing Redfish Location
Several environmental factors influence where you’ll find redfish.
- Tides: Tidal movement is crucial. Redfish often move with the tide, feeding in shallower areas as the tide rises and retreating to deeper water as it falls.
- Incoming Tide: Redfish often move onto shallow flats to feed as the water level rises.
- Outgoing Tide: They may move off the flats into channels or deeper water, but can still be found feeding on bait being washed out of marshes.
- Water Temperature: Redfish are more active in warmer water. Peak seasons are typically spring, summer, and fall.
- Food Availability: Always think about where the baitfish are. Redfish will congregate where their food source is abundant.
The Best Time to Fish for Redfish: Timing Your Success
While redfish can be caught year-round in many areas, certain times offer a better chance of success.
Seasonal Patterns
- Spring: As waters warm, redfish become more active. This is a great time for shallow water fishing.
- Summer: Redfish are plentiful and active during the warmer months. Early mornings and late afternoons are often best to avoid the midday heat.
- Fall: This is a prime season for redfish. Large schools often form, and they are actively feeding to prepare for cooler months. This is often considered the best time to fish for redfish by many anglers.
- Winter: In warmer climates, redfish remain active. In cooler regions, they may retreat to deeper, more stable water.
Daily Cycles
- Tidal Changes: The most significant daily factor is the tide. Fishing during the moving tides (incoming and outgoing) is generally more productive than during the slack tide.
- The hour or two before and after the tide turns is often prime time.
- Time of Day:
- Morning: Early morning hours, especially with low light, can be excellent as redfish become more active.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: The cooling temperatures and approaching darkness can also trigger feeding activity.
Redfish Tackle: Equipping Yourself for the Fight
Having the right redfish tackle is essential for landing these powerful fish.
Rods and Reels
- Rods: Medium-light to medium-action spinning or casting rods, typically 6.5 to 7.5 feet in length, are ideal. They offer enough backbone to handle a strong redfish while providing good casting accuracy for presenting lures and bait.
- Reels: Matched spinning or baitcasting reels are suitable. Spool them with 10-20 pound test monofilament or, preferably, braided line. Braided line offers sensitivity and strength, which is beneficial for detecting subtle bites and pulling fish from cover.
Line and Leaders
- Main Line: 10-20 pound test braided line is highly recommended. Its thin diameter allows for longer casts, and its strength is invaluable.
- Leader: A 15-30 pound test fluorocarbon leader is crucial. Fluorocarbon is virtually invisible in water and abrasion-resistant, which is important when fishing around oysters and other structure. Tie it to your main line using a strong knot like the Albright knot or the improved clinch knot.
Hooks and Weights
- Hooks: Circle hooks in sizes 1/0 to 4/0 are excellent for bait fishing, as they tend to hook the fish in the corner of the mouth, reducing gut hooking and increasing survival rates for released fish. For lures, appropriate treble hooks or jig heads are used.
- Weights: Use enough weight to get your bait or lure to the bottom in the current, but not so much that it hinders natural presentation. Split shot weights or egg sinkers are common choices.
Redfish Rigging: Presenting Your Offering
Proper redfish rigging ensures your bait or lure is presented effectively to entice a bite.
Rigging for Bait Fishing
- Carolina Rig: This is a classic and effective rig.
- Components: Bullet weight (sinker), bead, swivel, leader, hook.
- Assembly: Thread the weight onto your main line, followed by the bead. Tie the swivel to the end of the main line. Tie a fluorocarbon leader (18-24 inches) to the other end of the swivel, and then tie your hook to the leader.
- Use: The weight slides freely on the main line above the swivel, allowing the bait to move naturally with the current without telegraphing the weight of the sinker to the fish.
- Fish Finder Rig: Similar to the Carolina rig, but often uses an egg sinker that slides directly on the line, with the leader tied to a barrel swivel.
- Standard Bottom Rig: A simple setup with a weight at the bottom, a dropper loop above it, and another dropper loop or a swivel at the very top for your leader. This is good for holding bait in place.
Rigging for Lure Fishing
- Jig Heads: The most common setup. A jig head with a weedless hook is ideal for fishing in grass or around structure.
- Assembly: Thread your soft plastic lure onto the jig head.
- Use: Cast and retrieve with various actions to imitate fleeing baitfish.
- Popper/Chugger Rigs: For topwater lures. Simply tie the lure directly to your leader.
- Spinner Rigs: Can be added to other rigs to impart extra flash and vibration.
Redfish Bait: What Reds Love to Eat
Choosing the right redfish bait can make all the difference. Redfish are opportunistic feeders and will readily consume a variety of natural offerings.
Live Baits
- Shrimp: The undisputed king of redfish bait.
- Presentation: Hook a live shrimp through the tail or horn. This allows for natural movement and less chance of it falling off.
- Where: Available in most bait shops.
- Crabs: Smaller crabs are also highly effective.
- Presentation: Hook them through the rear, allowing them to scuttle along the bottom.
- Mullet/Menhaden: Small live mullet or menhaden (pogies) can entice larger redfish.
- Presentation: Hook them through the lips or back.
- Fiddler Crabs: A favorite of marsh-dwelling redfish.
Cut Baits
- Mullet: Cut mullet, particularly the fatty belly sections, are a strong attractant.
- Ladyfish/Pinfish: Cut pieces of these oily fish can also produce results.
- Shrimp: Even dead or cut shrimp can work, especially when fished on the bottom.
Artificial Baits (Redfish Lures)
Artificials offer convenience and can be incredibly effective. Here are some top redfish lure choices:
- Soft Plastic Grubs/Shads:
- Types: Paddle tails, jerk shads, curly tails.
- Colors: Chartreuse, white, gold, red, and natural shrimp colors are popular.
- Rigging: Typically rigged on weedless jig heads or with a tail hook for better hook-ups.
- Spinnerbaits: Their flashing blades and vibration are excellent attractors.
- Topwater Lures:
- Types: Poppers, chuggers, walk-the-dog baits.
- Action: Produce surface commotion that drives redfish wild, especially during low-light conditions.
- Jigs: Bucktail jigs or metal jigs can be effective, especially when tipped with a piece of shrimp.
- Spoons: Spoon lures, especially gold or silver, can imitate fleeing baitfish. They can be fished with a steady retrieve or a jigging motion.
- Crab Imitations: Soft plastic or hard-bodied lures designed to mimic crabs are very effective, particularly when fished slowly around structure.
Redfish Fishing Techniques: Mastering the Art of the Catch
Redfish fishing techniques vary depending on the environment and the mood of the fish.
Sight Fishing on the Flats
This is perhaps the most exhilarating way to catch redfish.
- Poling or Drifting: Slowly move your boat across shallow flats.
- Scanning: Keep a sharp eye out for the tell-tale signs of redfish:
- Tailers: Their tails break the surface as they feed head-down.
- Mudding: A cloud of silt stirred up as they dig for food.
- Shadows: Their dark bodies against the light sand.
- The Cast: Once a fish is spotted, cast your bait or lure a few feet in front of it, allowing it to move naturally into the fish’s path. Avoid casting directly at the fish, as this can spook them.
- The Retrieve: For lures, use a slow, enticing retrieve. For bait, let the current do the work.
Fishing Structure and Deeper Water
When fish aren’t visible on the flats, target structure.
- Casting to Structure: Cast your lure or bait to the edges of oyster bars, submerged vegetation, or channel drops.
- Working Lures: Use a variety of retrieves. Try a steady retrieve for spoons and paddle tails, or a twitch-and-pause for jerk shads.
- Drifting: Drift your boat parallel to shorelines or along the edges of deeper channels, letting your bait or lure drift into likely ambush points.
- Anchor and Cast: If you locate a productive spot, anchoring and casting to it can be highly effective.
Key Techniques for Success
- Stealth: Redfish can be spooked easily, especially in shallow, clear water. Approach your fishing spot quietly and avoid making loud noises or sudden movements.
- Presentation: The way you present your bait or lure is critical. Mimic natural baitfish actions as much as possible.
- Patience: Sometimes you need to wait for the right tide or the right moment. Don’t get discouraged if bites aren’t immediate.
- Reading the Water: Learn to interpret the signs – water clarity, current, depth changes, and the presence of baitfish.
Comprehending Redfish Behavior: Fathoming Their Habits
To catch more redfish, it helps to understand how they behave.
Feeding Habits
Redfish are predators that feed on a wide variety of prey. Their diet includes shrimp, crabs, baitfish (like mullet, menhaden, and pinfish), and even smaller fish. They are known for rooting in the bottom for crustaceans, which is why they create the “mudding” effect.
Schooling Behavior
Younger redfish often school together, especially on shallow flats. These schools can range from a few fish to hundreds. As they grow larger, they tend to become more solitary or found in smaller pods. Locating a school can lead to a fantastic fishing experience.
Seasonal Movements
Redfish undertake migrations. In the northern parts of their range, they move to deeper, warmer waters for the winter. In warmer climates, they may stay in shallower waters year-round but will still move to deeper areas during extreme cold snaps.
Advanced Redfish Strategies: Taking Your Catch to the Next Level
Once you’ve mastered the basics, consider these advanced tactics for catching more reds.
Fly Fishing for Redfish
Fly fishing for redfish is a challenging but incredibly rewarding pursuit.
- Flats Fly Fishing: Focus on presenting flies with accuracy and stealth to sighted fish on the flats.
- Flies: Shrimp and crab patterns in natural colors are essential. Small baitfish imitations also work well.
- Line Weight: 8-10 weight fly rods are recommended.
- Casting: Practice your casting to deliver flies accurately to moving targets.
Using Electronics
- Fish Finders: Modern fish finders with side-scan or down-scan sonar can help locate fish holding structure or baitfish schools in deeper water.
- GPS: Mark productive spots for future reference.
Tournament Tactics
If you’re interested in redfish tournaments, consider:
- Scouting: Spend time pre-fishing to locate productive areas.
- Bait Selection: Use what’s proven effective in the specific waters you’re fishing.
- Adaptability: Be ready to change tactics based on conditions and fish behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions About Redfish Fishing
Here are some common questions about catching redfish:
Q1: What is the legal size limit for redfish?
A1: Legal size limits for redfish vary by state and region. Always check the current fishing regulations for your specific area before you go fishing.
Q2: Can I catch redfish from the surf?
A2: Yes, you can catch redfish from the surf, especially larger bull reds. They are often found in the surf zone and near inlets.
Q3: What is the best bait for redfish in brackish water?
A3: Live shrimp is generally considered the best bait for redfish in brackish water.
Q4: How do I know if I’ve found a good redfish spot?
A4: Look for signs like baitfish activity, submerged structure (oyster bars, grass beds), tidal flow, and signs of redfish feeding (tailing or mudding).
Q5: What is the most effective lure for redfish?
A5: Soft plastic grubs and paddle tails on jig heads are consistently effective. Topwater lures and spoons also produce well, depending on conditions.
Q6: What is “redfish slime” and should I be worried about it?
A6: Redfish have a natural protective slime coat. It’s not harmful and helps protect them. Handle fish gently if releasing them to preserve this coat.
Q7: When is the best time to fish for redfish?
A7: The best time often depends on your location, but fall is generally considered prime season, with early mornings and late afternoons being productive times of day, especially during moving tides.
By applying the knowledge and techniques discussed in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying more successful and exciting redfish fishing trips. Remember to always respect the environment and practice responsible angling to ensure these magnificent fish remain for future generations.