Red Drum

LOCATIONS

BODIES OF WATER

Red Drum, also known as Redfish or Channel Bass, can be found in various saltwater bodies along the Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico. These popular game fish inhabit both inshore and nearshore waters, often frequenting estuaries, bays, marshes, and the mouths of rivers. The following bodies of water are known for their red drum populations:
Georgia: St. Simons Sound, Sapelo Sound, Cumberland Island.
Alabama: Mobile Bay, Bon Secour Bay, Perdido Pass.
Mississippi: Mississippi Sound, Biloxi Bay, Pascagoula River.
Louisiana: Calcasieu Lake, Grand Isle, Lake Pontchartrain.
Texas: Galveston Bay, Corpus Christi Bay, Matagorda Bay.

STRUCTURE/HABITAT

Red Drum are often found near structures and cover, such as oyster beds, submerged vegetation, docks, piers, and jetties. They are known to roam the shallow flats, marshes, and grassy areas in search of food. Red Drum prefer water with moderate salinity levels and are commonly found in brackish or slightly salty waters.
Look for them in areas with a combination of sandy or muddy bottoms, seagrass beds, and oyster bars. They are also known to gather around structure-rich areas where baitfish congregate. Pay attention to tidal movements, as red drum tend to follow the incoming or outgoing tides to feed.

PATTERNS

SPRING

During the spring months, red drum begin to move from their wintering grounds and become more active. They can be found in the shallows, flats, and estuaries, as well as along the beaches. Look for them around oyster bars, grassy areas, and tidal creeks. As the water warms up, red drum become more responsive to artificial lures, such as soft plastic baits or topwater plugs. Live bait, such as shrimp or small baitfish, can also be effective.

SUMMER

In the summer, red drum are often found in deeper waters, but they still venture into the shallows during feeding times. Look for them around grass beds, oyster bars, and channels. Early mornings and late afternoons tend to be the most productive times for targeting red drum during this season. Casting soft plastics, spoons, or topwater lures near their preferred habitats can yield success.

FALL

As fall arrives, red drum become more active and aggressive in their feeding habits. They move back into shallower waters, including creeks, flats, and estuaries. Look for them around marshes, docks, and oyster bars. Live bait, such as shrimp or finger mullet, can be highly effective during this time. Artificial lures, such as crankbaits or swimbaits, can also entice strikes from hungry red drum.

WINTER

During the winter months, red drum tend to gather in deeper holes and channels, seeking warmer water temperatures. They can be found near oyster bars, jetties, or in the vicinity of river mouths. Slow presentations with natural baits, such as cut mullet or blue crab, can entice strikes from red drum during the colder months. Drifting or slow-trolling with live bait can also be effective.

Red drum are opportunistic feeders and will strike a variety of natural baits. Live shrimp, mullet, menhaden, and finger mullet are commonly used baits for red drum fishing. These baits can be presented on a Carolina rig or a fish finder rig, allowing them to swim naturally in the water.
Additionally, red drum are responsive to artificial lures. Soft plastic baits like paddle tails and shrimp imitations, as well as jerkbaits, can be effective. Topwater lures such as poppers or walk-the-dog style plugs can also entice strikes from red drum. Experiment with different baits and lures to find what works best in your fishing location.

Bait Fishing

How: Use natural baits such as live or cut baitfish, shrimp, or crab to attract red drum. Fish near structures like jetties, piers, or oyster beds where red drum often congregate. Cast your bait out and allow it to settle on the bottom or use a slow retrieve to entice strikes.
Gear: Rods: Medium to heavy spinning rods. Reels: Spinning reels with a smooth drag system. Line: 15-30lb test monofilament or braided line. Hooks: Size 2/0 to 4/0 circle hooks for live or cut bait.

Artificial Lures

How: Red drum are known to strike a variety of artificial lures. Use lures that mimic baitfish, shrimp, or crabs to entice their attention. Work the lures near structures, drop-offs, or along the shoreline with a combination of steady retrieves, pauses, and twitches to imitate natural movement.
Gear: Rods: Medium to medium-heavy spinning rods. Reels: Spinning reels with a smooth drag system. Line: 10-20lb test braided line with a fluorocarbon leader. Lures: Soft plastic jerkbaits, swimbaits, spoons, and topwater lures.

Fly Fishing

How: Fly fishing for red drum is an exciting way to target these powerful fish. Use fly patterns that imitate baitfish, shrimp, or crabs. Look for red drum in shallow flats, marshes, or near structures. Make accurate casts, allowing the fly to sink and retrieve it with short strips to imitate natural movement.
Gear: Rods: 7-9 wt fly rods with a fast action. Reels: Large-arbor reels with a strong drag system. Line: Weight-forward floating or intermediate fly lines. Leaders: 9-12ft fluorocarbon leaders with a tippet strength of 10-20lb. Flies: Clouser Minnows, shrimp patterns, crab patterns, and baitfish imitations.

Surf Fishing

How: Red drum can often be found in the surf zone, making surf fishing a popular method to target them. Look for troughs, sandbars, or areas with structure. Cast your bait or lures beyond the breaking waves and allow them to drift with the current or retrieve them with a slow and steady motion.
Gear: Rods: Medium to heavy surf rods. Reels: Spinning reels with a smooth drag system. Line: 15-30lb test monofilament or braided line. Hooks: Size 2/0 to 4/0 circle hooks for live or cut bait.