Learn more about one of the most popular sportfish for anglers and fishing charters in south Louisiana
Officially known as the Red Drum, or Sciaenops ocellatus, the redfish goes by several other names, including channel bass, spottail, red bass, or simply “reds.” They are one of the most widespread inshore and nearshore species living in Louisiana’s coastal waters and along the Gulf of Mexico coast.
This common species is called a red “drum” because of a drumming sound they make during their spawning season or when they’re taken out of the water. The sound is caused by muscles rubbing against an inflated air bladder.
Redfish are also one of the most popular fish for anglers and fishing charters across coastal Louisiana. Besides their exhilarating fight and impressive strength, the redfish also makes for a great meal at the end of a long day of fishing.
If you’re interested in seeing and catching a few real redfish in south Louisiana, there are many fishing charters across the region who can guide you to the right place and coach you on the right bait and tactics for landing one of these exciting fish.
To learn more about redfish, including information about their appearance, habitat, diet and more, check out the following quick facts about this fun and tasty fish.
Appearance – The redfish’s back is a dark red/brown combo color that fades to a white coloring as you move to its belly. Reds are also known for a noticeable black spot on the upper part of their tail where it joins with the rest of their body. If the water is clear, their color will appear lighter. The red’s chin doesn’t have “barbells” and its mouth is horizontal and opens downward. Redfish also have large scales with an elongated body and gently arching back.
Image courtesy of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Weight – Redfish will average around 10-12 pounds, but it’s not unheard of for anglers to snag a red weighing north of 30 pounds. The world record redfish caught in coastal North Carolina in 1984 weighed in at an astounding 94 pounds, 2 ounces! The official redfish record for Louisiana is 61-pounds caught in 1962. However, one angler aboard a fishing charter reportedly snagged a 65-pound redfish around Venice, Louisiana in 2015.
Lifespan – Compared to other fish species, the redfish lives a pretty long time, 25 to 35 years on average. Males mature and are able to spawn at around 2 years of age and four pounds while female average around 4 years of age and 13 pounds before spawning.
Habitat – Reds are found along coastal waters as far north as Massachusetts all the way to Key West and throughout the Gulf of Mexico region. Younger redfish (4 years and under) stay around grassy, marshy and mud-bottom areas near Tambour Bay, Bay Negresse, Mangrove Bay and other bays and estuaries in south Louisiana. As they mature, redfish will begin moving somewhat offshore into the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico or around rocky outcroppings like a jetty or manmade structure.
Reds will move toward passes and inlets to spawn, and they will move into rivers and creeks when the weather turns cold. Quick drops in water temperature can be dangerous for the redfish.
While the redfish will move into different areas based on their maturity, spawning or water temperature, most stay within a general vicinity their entire lives. A Florida study for example found that 50 to 85% of redfish were caught within 6 miles of where they were spawned.
Diet and feeding patterns – Redfish mostly dine on shrimp, but they also enjoy crabs and pinfish. They mostly feed on the bottom in shallow areas near grassy shorelines. Redfish locate their food by sight, touch and “vacuuming,” or biting at the bottom of the sea floor. Their prime feeding time is either in the early morning or late afternoon just before dark.
Breeding season – The Red drum has quite the unique and elaborate way for mating and courtship. Males will follow females around and “drum” loudly while nudging them from behind. A male’s coloring will even change during this time, with their bellies becoming even whiter and their backs turning bronze. A female will release around 1 million eggs during each spawn. In a given season, a female may release tens of millions of eggs. However, very few of these actually make it adulthood.
Despite challenges the redfish face, their numbers today are relatively healthy. They are not harvested commercially, and anglers typically have to observe state-level (Louisiana) regulations aimed at limiting how many reds are harvested at a given time.
While fishing for redfish in the bays and inland waters is much easier than getting into deeper water fish offshore, an experienced fishing charter captain will know the ideal spots for finding redfish in coastal Louisiana. If it’s colder weather for example, they will know to stick with one of dozens of creeks, bayous and rivers in and around Cocodrie, Theriot and other areas of Louisiana’s lower Terrebonne Parish. Fishing charter captains will also be able to coach you on proper casting and landing techniques among other things.
Capt. Rob Dupont of Impulse Fishing Charters has decades of experience fishing for redfish around the Louisiana Gulf coast. To schedule a trip, or to learn more, we invite you to visit Impulsefishingcharters.com to view our rates and our calendar to see when we’re available. You may also call Capt. Rob at (225) 776-9820 or email him at impulsefishingcharters@gmail.com.
Officially known as the Red Drum, or Sciaenops ocellatus, the redfish goes by several other names, including channel bass, spottail, red bass, or simply “reds.” They are one of the most widespread inshore and nearshore species living in Louisiana’s coastal waters and along the Gulf of Mexico coast.
This common species is called a red “drum” because of a drumming sound they make during their spawning season or when they’re taken out of the water. The sound is caused by muscles rubbing against an inflated air bladder.
Redfish are also one of the most popular fish for anglers and fishing charters across coastal Louisiana. Besides their exhilarating fight and impressive strength, the redfish also makes for a great meal at the end of a long day of fishing.
If you’re interested in seeing and catching a few real redfish in south Louisiana, there are many fishing charters across the region who can guide you to the right place and coach you on the right bait and tactics for landing one of these exciting fish.
Louisiana Redfish Fast Facts
To learn more about redfish, including information about their appearance, habitat, diet and more, check out the following quick facts about this fun and tasty fish.Appearance – The redfish’s back is a dark red/brown combo color that fades to a white coloring as you move to its belly. Reds are also known for a noticeable black spot on the upper part of their tail where it joins with the rest of their body. If the water is clear, their color will appear lighter. The red’s chin doesn’t have “barbells” and its mouth is horizontal and opens downward. Redfish also have large scales with an elongated body and gently arching back.
Image courtesy of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Weight – Redfish will average around 10-12 pounds, but it’s not unheard of for anglers to snag a red weighing north of 30 pounds. The world record redfish caught in coastal North Carolina in 1984 weighed in at an astounding 94 pounds, 2 ounces! The official redfish record for Louisiana is 61-pounds caught in 1962. However, one angler aboard a fishing charter reportedly snagged a 65-pound redfish around Venice, Louisiana in 2015.
Lifespan – Compared to other fish species, the redfish lives a pretty long time, 25 to 35 years on average. Males mature and are able to spawn at around 2 years of age and four pounds while female average around 4 years of age and 13 pounds before spawning.
Habitat – Reds are found along coastal waters as far north as Massachusetts all the way to Key West and throughout the Gulf of Mexico region. Younger redfish (4 years and under) stay around grassy, marshy and mud-bottom areas near Tambour Bay, Bay Negresse, Mangrove Bay and other bays and estuaries in south Louisiana. As they mature, redfish will begin moving somewhat offshore into the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico or around rocky outcroppings like a jetty or manmade structure.
Reds will move toward passes and inlets to spawn, and they will move into rivers and creeks when the weather turns cold. Quick drops in water temperature can be dangerous for the redfish.
While the redfish will move into different areas based on their maturity, spawning or water temperature, most stay within a general vicinity their entire lives. A Florida study for example found that 50 to 85% of redfish were caught within 6 miles of where they were spawned.
Diet and feeding patterns – Redfish mostly dine on shrimp, but they also enjoy crabs and pinfish. They mostly feed on the bottom in shallow areas near grassy shorelines. Redfish locate their food by sight, touch and “vacuuming,” or biting at the bottom of the sea floor. Their prime feeding time is either in the early morning or late afternoon just before dark.
Breeding season – The Red drum has quite the unique and elaborate way for mating and courtship. Males will follow females around and “drum” loudly while nudging them from behind. A male’s coloring will even change during this time, with their bellies becoming even whiter and their backs turning bronze. A female will release around 1 million eggs during each spawn. In a given season, a female may release tens of millions of eggs. However, very few of these actually make it adulthood.
Despite challenges the redfish face, their numbers today are relatively healthy. They are not harvested commercially, and anglers typically have to observe state-level (Louisiana) regulations aimed at limiting how many reds are harvested at a given time.
While fishing for redfish in the bays and inland waters is much easier than getting into deeper water fish offshore, an experienced fishing charter captain will know the ideal spots for finding redfish in coastal Louisiana. If it’s colder weather for example, they will know to stick with one of dozens of creeks, bayous and rivers in and around Cocodrie, Theriot and other areas of Louisiana’s lower Terrebonne Parish. Fishing charter captains will also be able to coach you on proper casting and landing techniques among other things.
Capt. Rob Dupont of Impulse Fishing Charters has decades of experience fishing for redfish around the Louisiana Gulf coast. To schedule a trip, or to learn more, we invite you to visit Impulsefishingcharters.com to view our rates and our calendar to see when we’re available. You may also call Capt. Rob at (225) 776-9820 or email him at impulsefishingcharters@gmail.com.
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