When you think of inshore fishing in Florida, it’s hard not to think of redfish. Known for their copper-bronze coloring and iconic spotted tail, redfish can be caught throughout Florida in coastal waters and estuaries year-round. They are, without a doubt, one of Florida’s more widespread inshore species and one of the most popular sport […]
Read More
The redfish released by CCA Florida into Florida’s east coast waters aren’t all that small; in fact, they’re larger than traditional stocked redfish in most southern states. The 4- to 6-inch drum have a better shot at surviving predation and growing to maturity. More than 50 onlookers gathered an at nondescript boat ramp in Cocoa […]
Read More
This multi-spot redfish is an oddity, sure to turn heads at the boat ramp. Some scientists believe multiple spots are advantageous for red drum in turbid water. Capt. Sonny Schindler Perhaps the single feature most associated with the red drum is its spot. That is, the one spot (on each side), on its tail. That […]
Read More
Salt Water Sportsman’s Scott Salyers caught this bull redfish from a pond at the Duke Energy Mariculture Center. Sam Hudson Recent news from Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Florida caught my attention: The non-profit organization released 30,000 speckled seatrout this past September in Sarasota and Citrus county waters. Any efforts to help the gamefish populations in […]
Read More
Texas anglers love redfish as much as the Dallas Cowboys. There’s nothing more exciting than sight-casting flies, plugs or plastics. Tosh Brown Special delivery: Sign up for the free Salt Water Sportsman email newsletter. Subscribe to Salt Water Sportsman magazine for $19 for 1 year and receive 4 bonus digital issues. A redfish is like a bull in a […]
Read More
Todd Masson, with a tagged Louisiana redfish, ready for release back into the marsh. Todd Masson Artificial Intelligence is frighteningly smart, and it may eventually take over the world, but on its best day, AI could never draw up a more perfect nursery ground for redfish (red drum) than the one Mother Nature created over […]
Read More
One of the most popular species to target during the mullet run are full-grown tarpon. Spotting them along the beach is much easier than actually landing them. Ben Holtzclaw There are 78 species of mullet and each one has a unique appearance and behavior. Imitating them, some of the most common backwater baitfish, is key […]
Read More
Have you seen a drum like this? The fish looks similar to a redfish, but it also has characteristics of a black drum. Capt. Billy Rotne Captain Billy Rotne, of Ponce Inlet Charters, positioned his friend within range of a school of black drum and redfish mixed together in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon. In front […]
Read More
Redfish are a popular Florida inshore species. State regulators approved changes to the redfish regulations to help support the population. Alex Suescun Fisheries management and controversy seem to go hand-in-hand. The real problem is that in many cases, the management process creates winners and losers. While this is an unfortunate reality, I always hope that […]
Read More
Redfish were protected in Southwest Florida after a red tide caused a massive fish kill in 2018. In September, anglers can once again keep one for the table. Bob McNally At its May meeting, Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) made some significant harvest changes to the state’s popular red drum (redfish) fishery. (“Harvest” […]
Read More