Red Drum

Red drum up to about 10-15 lb. (5-7 g) are very fine eating.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A RED DRUM

The red drum can be distinguished from the black drum by its lack of chin barbels and more elongated body. The body has coppery red overtones on a silvery gray background. The most obvious and characteristic marking on the red drum is a large black spot about the size of the eye on either side of the caudal peduncle, just before the tail fin. Sometimes there are two spots on each side, and occasionally there may be similar spots on the body.

 

WHERE TO CATCH RED DRUM

The red drum is found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Maine to the Gulf of Mexico. The red drum is a schooling species that occurs inshore over sandy or muddy bottoms. It inhabits both salt and brackish waters and can tolerate fresh water. It is found in inlets and channels, and smaller specimens may be found in shallow estuaries. Large red drum can be taken from just above the breaker line on an incoming tide or near channels, inlets and shell beds. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

BACKFLOW                           BAYS AND ESTUARIES

MAN-MADE STRUCTURES              OVERHANGING TREES AND BUSHES

RIPPLES, CURRENTS, SWIRLS AND SPRAYS        SCHOOLS

DROP-OFFS                         MERGING CURRENTS

STANDING WAVES                    CURRENT EDGES

BAYS                              CHANNEL ENTRANCES

OUTSIDES OF BENDS                   RIPARIAN ZONES

ROCK AND BOULDER POCKETS            DAMS AND FALLS

EDDIES                              SMALL POINTED WAVES

UNDERCUTS

 

HOW TO CATCH RED DRUM

It is a strong, hard fighter when hooked. Fishing methods include drifting or still fishing on the bottom, jigging or casting from boats or from shore, and slow trolling. In some areas red drum may be stalked on the flats like bonefish. Baits and lures include crabs, shrimp, clams, jigs, plugs, spoons, strip bait, and streamer flies. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

JIGGING                FLY FISHING          STILL FISHING                     DRIFT FISHING          SURF CASTING

 

RED DRUM LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

     

CRABS                  FLIES             PLUGS        SHRIMP

SPOONS                CUT BAIT          JIGS

SALTWATER LIVE BAIT   SOFT PLASTICS

Red drum up to about 10-15 lb. (5-7 g) are very fine eating.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A RED DRUM

The red drum can be distinguished from the black drum by its lack of chin barbels and more elongated body. The body has coppery red overtones on a silvery gray background. The most obvious and characteristic marking on the red drum is a large black spot about the size of the eye on either side of the caudal peduncle, just before the tail fin. Sometimes there are two spots on each side, and occasionally there may be similar spots on the body.

 

WHERE TO CATCH RED DRUM

The red drum is found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Maine to the Gulf of Mexico. The red drum is a schooling species that occurs inshore over sandy or muddy bottoms. It inhabits both salt and brackish waters and can tolerate fresh water. It is found in inlets and channels, and smaller specimens may be found in shallow estuaries. Large red drum can be taken from just above the breaker line on an incoming tide or near channels, inlets and shell beds. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

BACKFLOW                                                                 BAYS AND ESTUARIES

MAN-MADE STRUCTURES                                        OVERHANGING TREES AND BUSHES

RIPPLES, CURRENTS, SWIRLS AND SPRAYS        SCHOOLS

DROP-OFFS                                                               MERGING CURRENTS

STANDING WAVES                                                     CURRENT EDGES

BAYS                                                                          CHANNEL ENTRANCES

OUTSIDES OF BENDS                                              RIPARIAN ZONES

ROCK AND BOULDER POCKETS                            DAMS AND FALLS

EDDIES                              SMALL POINTED WAVES

UNDERCUTS

 

HOW TO CATCH RED DRUM

It is a strong, hard fighter when hooked. Fishing methods include drifting or still fishing on the bottom, jigging or casting from boats or from shore, and slow trolling. In some areas red drum may be stalked on the flats like bonefish. Baits and lures include crabs, shrimp, clams, jigs, plugs, spoons, strip bait, and streamer flies. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

JIGGING                FLY FISHING          STILL FISHING                     DRIFT FISHING          SURF CASTING

 

RED DRUM LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

 

CRABS                                            FLIES                    PLUGS        SHRIMP

SPOONS                                          CUT BAIT            JIGS

SALTWATER LIVE BAIT                SOFT PLASTICS