The Bronze Bruiser of the Flats: An Introduction to Redfish
There’s a moment when you’re poling across a calm, shallow flat when you see it: a flash of bronze, or a tail the color of dark copper gently waving above the surface. That’s a redfish, and it’s one of the most exciting sights in all of fishing. Red drum, or redfish, are the iconic game fish of the inshore world. They are powerful, aggressive, and accessible to anglers of all skill levels. A trip to the Texas coast just isn’t complete without tangling with one of these bulldogs.
Where to Find Redfish: It’s All About the Bait
A redfish is a nomadic eating machine. Its entire day is spent searching for its next meal, which primarily consists of shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish like mullet. To find the redfish, you must first find the food. Look for them in key areas:
- Oyster Bars: These are magnets for crabs and shrimp, and redfish will patrol their edges, especially during a moving tide.
- Grass Flats: Healthy turtle grass flats are full of life. Look for sandy potholes within the grass, as redfish use these as ambush points.
- Mangrove Shorelines and Marsh Creeks: On high tide, redfish will push deep into the marshes and mangroves to hunt for crabs. On low tide, they’ll congregate at the mouths of the creeks, waiting for the bait to wash out.
The Top 3 Lures for Catching Redfish
You can keep your redfish lures simple. These three will get the job done 99% of the time.
- The Gold Spoon: A 1/4 or 1/2 oz weedless gold spoon is the most classic redfish lure for a reason. Its flash and wobble are irresistible, and it can be fished through grass without snagging.
- The Soft Plastic Paddle Tail: A 3- to 4-inch paddle tail swimbait on a 1/4 oz jig head is the ultimate search bait. It allows you to cover water and imitate a huge variety of baitfish. White and root beer are classic colors.
- The Topwater Walker: For sheer excitement, nothing beats a redfish exploding on a topwater lure. A “walk-the-dog” style bait like a Heddon Super Spook Jr. fished over a calm flat at sunrise is a recipe for a heart-stopping morning.
Can’t-Miss Baits for Red Drum
If you want to guarantee a bite, you can’t beat the real thing. The top two baits are shrimp and mullet.
- Live Shrimp: Fish them under a popping cork to attract attention, or freelined with a small split shot for a stealthy presentation.
- Cut Mullet: Redfish are scavengers with an incredible sense of smell. A fresh chunk of cut mullet soaked on the bottom on a Carolina rig is a fantastic way to catch big, bull reds in channels and guts.
Tailing Redfish: The Ultimate Sight-Fishing Thrill
One of the most magical experiences in fishing is “sight-casting” to a tailing red. This happens in very shallow water when a redfish is feeding head-down on crabs, pushing its tail out of the water. This requires a stealthy approach. Pole or wade quietly until you are within casting distance, and make a soft, accurate cast just past and in front of the fish. It’s a true test of an angler’s skill.
Gearing Up for Redfish
As we discussed in our inshore guide, your standard 7-foot medium-heavy bass rod is a perfect tool for the job. Spool it with 15-20 lb braided line and always use a 2-foot section of 20 lb fluorocarbon leader, as a redfish’s gill plate can be abrasive.
The redfish is the star of the show in the world of Inshore Fishing and the perfect adversary to test your saltwater skills.
-Captain Sal
