REDFISH |
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Redfish, also called reds, red drum, and channel bass have rapidly become one of the most popular gamefish in the country. They are widely fished throughout Florida and many guides have come to specialize in fishing them. The Redfish Tour has taken off and seems well established as a serious tournament trail now, which will only continue to add to the popularity of redfish as a gamefish species. Like seatrout, their range covers the entire coast of Florida and all the way around the U.S. coastal Gulf of Mexico, however, they are also very popular with anglers in the estuaries and along the beaches of the Carolinas and Georgia. Redfish lend themselves well to being a shallow water star, as they feed actively in the shallows and are a reliable sightfishing quarry. However, since they feed with their noses so much, they are also a good fish to chase with bait in deeper water in and around the same flats or in nearby channels and passes. Most inshore redfish top out somewhere in the 30+-” range before they begin to join the ranks of the big spawners that migrate along the beaches into the passes and inlets, residing in coastal waters rather than inshore waters. The exception to this general rule is the northern portion of the IndianRiver/BananaRiver/Mosquito Lagoon estuary system on Florida’s east coast. There are multiple schools of the huge 40-60 inch adult redfish there making a very stable and healthy resident population of spawners. These fish make no move to the passes and inlets. They stay in the same general waters year round. The result is a year round fishery for them there in the same shallows where you encounter the usual sub-35” fish. I fished the north end of the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon as my home water for a number of years and it is a rewarding and beautiful place to fish, albeit very crowded now with company compared to when I first began fishing it. Here on the west coast, we have no such resident big spawners, though we do get the spawning runs in the fall when the bigger coastal fish congregate in the passes and inlets here. The majority of our redfish are the ideal light tackle size ranging from 18” up to the aforementioned 30” range. They put up a strong, dogged fight with steady runs and firm resistance to being moved. They are fun to catch and when they are encountered in schools rather than loosely scattered singles, pairs, and triplets, they can be caught in big numbers without much effort at hunting them out. Redfish are good table fare, but the limit of one fish per person in an 18-27” slot goes a long way toward preserving the current population boom we are experiencing. They are a common catch and their schooling behavior means if you see one or two, there is bound to be another couple around the area. Certain times of the year, they will be found in larger schools, driven by spawning instinct to come together. But, much of the year, they are more inclined toward smaller schools or loose groups that are brought together mostly by their mutual attraction to the same habitat or feeding area. Redfish are as unique as most saltwater fish in their appearance. Depending on the color of the water and the substrate they call home, their backs range from a deep copper or bronze to a light reddish tan color. They have a sizable single spot at the base of the tail on each side of the body and many often have additional spots along their backs and sides, especially small, younger fish. Their mouths are on the bottom of their heads, being primarily a bottom feeder, but they also aggressively pursue mullet or other baitfish at times on the surface. Most of their diet consists of shrimp, crabs, and small bottom fish and feeding on these causes their distinctive tailing behavior as they root out and chase that prey. They will intermingle with large mullet schools or shadow large stingrays, both for the same purpose: to ambush whatever small menu items the mullet or rays disturb as they do their own grazing on the bottom. It is at these times that redfish become their easiest to catch as they will strike virtually anything that moves around them, expecting food to appear at any time. Like most flats gamefish, they respond well to many methods and techniques. Bait works well, however, I most often use artificial lures and flies. Jigs, spoons, and soft jerkbaits work very well. But, my favorite way to catch them is with a topwater plug or surface fly when they are feeding on baitfish. Many times, even when they are chasing crabs and eels in the bottom, they will lift their heads and accelerate to attack a well placed small topwater plug or deer hair fly, providing it’s one that pushes some water and attracts their single minded attentions. That said, I will always match the technique to your preferences and skill level. Conventional tackle for redfish is pretty standard flats tackle : 6-10 lb class spinning gear and 8-12 lb class plug casting tackle. Fly tackle selections are 7-9 weight rigs with at least 100 yards of backing, though you'll rarely need it. Redfish make lots of runs, but not long ones unless they are particularly big. If you wish to use your own outfit, I’ll be happy to discuss the kind of trip you wish to go on and advise you accordingly on which of your rods to bring. |
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A 35" red like this one will make you work for the right to a picture. |
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A nice 28" red heads back to the mangrove house. |
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A pretty little18" red about to return to his schoolmates. |
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Yes, redfish do feed nocturnally! This 29.75", 9 lb red ate a bait intended fro a snook, but nobody seemed to mind. |
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This 22.5" redfish broke the ice on what turned out to be a banner day in windy conditions. |
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This beautiful 34" red put up a spectacular fight before coming to the boat for this very happy angler.. |
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