Note the eyespots on the redfish. Nearly every red drum will have the eyespot near the tail. Some fish may have only the single spot, others might have five or size spots.
The redfish is a member of the drum family. The color varies from copper-colored to nearly silver on the sides, with a white belly. The red drum is easily distinctive from the closely related black drum due to the fact it lacks the barbels of the latter. Redfish additionally typically have one or more eye-spots close to the base of the tail.
Range
Redfish are found from northern Mexico to Cape Cod.
Size
Redfish can grow up to 60 inches. The world record fish weighs an amazing 94 lbs. Most fish grow to a size of approximately 40 inches and 25-30lbs, though fish bigger than this aren’t all that uncommon. Most fish caught inshore weigh between 1 and 10 lbs, though bull reds are also present in inshore waters at least part of the year.
Habitat
The redfish lives in nearshore waters, and is observed everywhere from estuaries to a few miles offshore. Younger fish prefer to remain in protected areas like bays, inlets, and estuaries, whilst large fish stay mainly in open waters, even though they will spend time in covered waters to hunt. Mature adults spawn in areas with high salinity and tidal flow, such as passes and the mouth of inlets, or between barrier islands.
Redfish are frequently discovered near structure. Oyster bars, sandbars, grass beds, and reefs are all top hunting grounds for redfish, although they can additionally be located in open water over a mud bottom. They are typically discovered close to the bottom, although they will on occasion feed close to the surface. Shallow flats are another favourite hang-out of red drum, where they are frequently viewed tailing as they root out crabs, shrimp, and small fish.
Reds are a schooling fish; every school is comprised of comparable sized individuals. So if you seize a puppy drum the rest of the fish are likely of a comparable size, likewise if you seize a bull red most of the other fish are in all likelihood bulls as well. Sometimes they will school with different species as well such as black drum, speckled trout, and tarpon.
Feeding Habits
Redfish feed on a broad range of prey. Crabs, shrimp, fish and marine invertebrates make up the bulk of their diet. They typically feed on or close to the bottom, however will feed throughout the water column if the chance offers itself.
While not particularly speedy swimmers, they are capable of a rapid burst of speed that enables them to seize smaller, extra agile fish. Reds additionally like to work in schools to make bait fish “ball up.” This makes it that much less complicated to seize the prey, since the tightly packed bait in the ball has much less room to maneuver.
Leave a Reply