Redfish (Red Drum)
Sciaenops ocellatus
Record Weight
94 lbs 2 oz
Avon, North Carolina
Average Size
3-15 lbs
Preferred Temp
65°-85°F
Lifespan
20-40 years
Fight Rating
4/5
Taste Rating
4/5
Identification
Redfish have a bronze to coppery-red body coloration with a distinctive black ocellus (eyespot) near the base of the tail. Some fish may have multiple spots. They have a slightly downturned mouth suited for bottom feeding, a rounded tail, and large scales. Juveniles are more reddish-bronze while larger adults (bull reds) may appear darker. They can grow over 40 inches and exceed 50 lbs.
Habitat & Behavior
Found in a wide range of inshore and nearshore habitats including grass flats, oyster bars, mud flats, mangrove shorelines, jetties, and surf zones. Juvenile redfish prefer shallow estuaries and marshes, while larger bull reds are commonly found in passes, inlets, and along beaches. They tolerate a broad range of salinities from nearly fresh to full saltwater.
Redfish are schooling fish, especially as juveniles and sub-adults (slot-size fish). They are sight-feeders on the flats and use their downturned mouth to root along the bottom for crabs and shrimp. During fall, large schools of bull reds gather near passes and inlets for their spawning run. They are known for tailing on shallow flats as they feed, which makes them a prime sight-fishing target.
Best Techniques
Best Baits & Lures
- Live shrimp
- Live blue crab (cut or whole)
- Live mullet (finger mullet)
- Gold spoon (weedless)
- Soft plastic jerkbait (new penny, rootbeer)
- Topwater plug
- Popping cork with shrimp
- Cut mullet
- Gulp! shrimp
Recommended Gear
Berkley Gulp! Alive Shrimp 3 inch
Berkley
$9.99
Penn Battle IV Spinning Reel — 3000
Penn
$89.99
Costa Del Mar Fantail Pro Sunglasses — 580G
Costa Del Mar
$269.00
Seasonal Patterns
SpringSpring Fishing
Redfish become increasingly active as water temperatures climb into the mid-60s. They push onto shallow flats to feed on crabs and shrimp, making spring an excellent time for sight-fishing. Focus on spartina grass edges, oyster bars, and warming mud flats during incoming tides.
SummerSummer Fishing
Summer brings consistent action on the flats, especially during early morning and late evening hours. Redfish seek shade and moving water during the heat of midday, often holding near dock pilings, mangrove roots, and deeper channels. Live bait under a popping cork is deadly during this season.
FallFall Fishing
Fall is the premier redfish season as massive schools of bull reds congregate near passes, inlets, and along beaches for the annual spawning run. Slot-size fish remain aggressive on the flats while oversized bulls stack up in nearshore waters. This is the best time of year for trophy redfish.
WinterWinter Fishing
Redfish slow down but remain catchable in deeper holes, channels, and areas with dark mud bottoms that absorb warmth. Fish on the warmest part of the day and focus on slower presentations near structure. In the deep South, mild winters can still produce decent flats fishing on sunny afternoons.
State Records
State record data is being compiled. Check back soon.
Tips & Fun Facts
- The black spot near the tail is thought to confuse predators into attacking the tail instead of the head, giving the redfish a chance to escape.
- Redfish can live over 40 years in the wild and continue growing throughout their lives, with the largest bull reds exceeding 50 lbs.
- Red drum were so overfished in the 1980s after the "blackened redfish" craze popularized by Chef Paul Prudhomme that federal regulations were enacted to protect the species.
- Redfish produce a distinctive drumming sound by vibrating their swim bladder muscles, which is how they got the name "red drum." Males drum loudest during spawning season.
- A single large female redfish can produce over 2 million eggs in a single spawning season.