Red Drum

LOCATIONS

BODIES OF WATER

Red Drum, also known as redfish or channel bass, can be found in the Mid Atlantic region of the U.S in estuaries, bays, and coastal waters, such as the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, and the waters off the coast of North and South Carolina.

STRUCTURE/HABITAT

Move and feed in schools, also feed individually. Shallow Shorelines around grass, docks, and dropoffs. Found deeper in schools searching for baitfish, Found Mixed in with school of Mackeral and Bluefish.
Red Drum are commonly found in shallow waters, typically in areas with sandy or muddy bottoms, and around oyster beds, rock jetties and other natural or man-made structures. They tend to congregate in large schools, particularly during the summer months.
Surf: Target edges of riptides.

PATTERNS

SPRING

During the spring, Red Drum can be found in estuaries and bays, as they begin to move inshore from their wintering grounds in the ocean. They can also be found around natural structures such as oyster beds and jetties.

SUMMER

Red Drum can be found in bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters, and are often caught using a variety of baits and lures

FALL

During the fall, Red Drum can still be caught in estuaries and bays, as they start to move offshore to their wintering grounds in the ocean. They can also be found around natural structures such as oyster beds and jetties.

WINTER

Red Drum can be caught in deeper waters off the coast, but they can also be found in estuaries and bays, particularly in the southern states of the Mid-Atlantic region.

Bait Fishing

How: Use live or cut bait such as mullet, shrimp, or crab. Fish near marshes, jetties, oyster beds, or other areas with structure. Cast out and let the bait sit or use a slow retrieve. Red drum have a keen sense of smell, so fresh and natural baits work best.
Gear: Rods: Medium to heavy spinning rods or baitcasting rods. Reels: 3000-5000 size spinning reels or baitcasting reels. Line: 10-20lb test monofilament or braided line. Hooks: Size 2/0-5/0 circle hooks or J-hooks.

Artificial Lures

How: Red drum are attracted to a variety of lures, including soft plastics, spoons, and topwater lures. Fish around structure such as oyster beds, grass flats, or drop-offs. Vary your retrieve speed and technique until you find what works best.
Gear: Rods: Medium to medium-heavy spinning rods or baitcasting rods. Reels: 3000-5000 size spinning reels or baitcasting reels. Line: 10-20lb test braided line or fluorocarbon leader. Lures: Soft plastics, spoons, topwater lures, and paddle tails.

Fly Fishing

How: Red drum can be caught on a variety of fly patterns, including crab, shrimp, and baitfish imitations. Fish near structure such as oyster beds, grass flats, or drop-offs. Vary your retrieve speed and technique until you find what works best.
Gear: Rods: 7-9wt fly rods. Reels: Large arbor saltwater fly reels with a strong drag system. Line: Weight forward floating or intermediate saltwater fly line. Leaders: 9-12ft 12-20lb fluorocarbon leaders with tippet sizes ranging from 8-12lb. Flies: Crab patterns, shrimp patterns, and baitfish imitations.

Surf Fishing

How: Look for areas with troughs, sandbars, or channels near the shore. Cast out with bait or lures and let them drift with the current. Vary your retrieve speed and technique until you find what works best.
Gear: Rods: Medium to heavy surf rods. Reels: 5000-8000 size spinning reels. Line: 15-30lb test monofilament or braided line. Hooks: Size 2/0-5/0 circle hooks or J-hooks.