All about Redfish (Red Drum)

[DarkSkies]

Sciaenops ocellatus, which is commonly called “red drum”, “spottail bass”, “channel bass” or “redfish. This is a fish that many anglers plan their spring or summer vacation around. Catching one isn't the hardest thing in the world, they're caught on bait. It ain't the easiest thing either. Many nights are spent in pursuit of these beauties.

Who knows how many recreational dollars are spent on beach buggy permits, bait, and tackle just to get one trophy redfish?



Post up anything you want to about redfish. Facts, figures, videos, pics, anything at all you feel like throwing up here.

If whatever you quoted comes from a published or copyrighted source, please add the link. Thanks.

[jonthepain]

reddrum, reddrum

[bababooey]

reddrum, reddrum

Do you take your red drum cold, or on ice? :D
g874H2GBPlA

[bluesdude71]

How to Catch Redfish and seatrout Like a Local



Ever notice how the locals always catch the biggest and most fish? There is more to it than just looking for "tailing" reds. Use these tips and you can look like a crazy redneck with a stringer of redfish ( one in Florida ) and the trout that swim the same waters.





Things You'll Need:

always check the regulations before you go because there are slot limits, fishing gear, hat, sun glasses,

Step 1
Wade shallow water lagoons. Wading is the most effective way to catch Redfish and seatrout. These fish like shallow water. You can catch a few fish from a boat but if you really want to catch the big ones you need to wade. Go to shallow water lagoons were the water is 2 to 3 feet deep for miles. In Florida, Merritt Island near the Space Center is a hot spot ( you do not need a boat just drive down one of the dirt roads, park and go fishing ).
Step 2
Use a bass fishing rig with a barrel swivel and leader. These fish hit hard so use a twenty pound leader. Set the drag so that line can be pulled from your reel. IF you are looking for lots of little ones white tail jigs and shrimps lures work great. If you are just wanting to limit out then go this route. Free lining live bait works good for all sizes of fish.
Step 3
http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/5258217/S7300100640x480_Thumb.jpg (http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/5258217/S7300100640x480_Full.jpg) popular topwater redfish and seatrout lures
Get up early and be at your spot before first light. During low light use a top water plug like a " Super Spook ". Use the biggest one you can find. Get out of the boat and start wading towards shore. Cast as far as you can and "walk the dog" back to you. To "walk the dog " you point your rod tip to the sky and franticly shake the tip while slowly reeling it in. When a fish strikes don't set the hook like a bass just take in the slack and start fighting. If the fish misses the plug don't stop walking the plug or change speed, that will spook the fish.
Step 4
Start fishing shallow and work your way deeper until you hit the channel. Look for shell beds in the grass. They look like light areas from just a few feet wide outhttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2.gif (http://www.ehow.com/how_5258217_catch-redfish-seatrout-like-local.html#) to 20 feet. Cast as far past your target bed as possible and walk the dog over it.
Step 5
http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/5258217/S7300098640x480_Thumb.jpg (http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/5258217/S7300098640x480_Full.jpg) gold spoon for redfish and trout
Switch from your plug to a GOLD spoon like a Johnson Minnow or a Rainbow Flash once the sun heats the water usually by 10 AM. The weedless ones work better. Throw it past the shell beds and out to the deeper water. When i say deeper I mean 4 feet max.
Step 6
As you are wading look for places that storm water enters the lagoon. Bait fish gather here. These are hot spots and maybe a locals' hotspot. Creeks serve the same purpose.
Step 7
During winter when the water is too cold to wade the fish are in deep water. Then it is best to use live bait.