How to Catch Redfish (Red Drum)
Redfish — red drum to the science books — are the signature inshore fish of the Gulf and Southeast, and one of the most beginner-friendly big saltwater targets there is. They tail in shallow grass, they crush a wide range of baits and lures, and you can often see them before you cast, which makes the whole thing feel like hunting. The copper flash and the spot near the tail are unmistakable once you've seen one.
Where to find them
Reds love shallow, structured inshore water: grass flats, oyster bars, marsh edges, creek mouths, docks, and sandy potholes in the grass. In skinny water you'll often see them "tailing" — tipped head-down to root crabs and shrimp off the bottom, tails breaking the surface. They follow the tide onto flats to feed and slide off into deeper holes as the water drops.
Best seasons, times, and conditions
Reds are catchable year-round in much of their range, with fall being a celebrated season as they school up. The rising and high tide that floods the flats brings them in to feed; lower light and moving water improve things further. Calm, clear conditions make sight-fishing easier.
Gear that works
- Rod/reel: a 7' medium or medium-heavy inshore spinning combo.
- Line: 15–20 lb braid to a 20–30 lb fluorocarbon leader.
- Confidence options: a soft-plastic paddletail or shrimp imitation on a jighead, a gold weedless spoon, a topwater walking plug, and live or cut bait (shrimp, mullet, crab) on a popping-cork or jighead rig.
How to catch them
When you spot a red, lead it — cast a few feet ahead and to the side so the bait crosses its path, then twitch it into view. A gold spoon is a beginner classic: cast past the fish and retrieve slowly so it flashes. A popping cork with shrimp or a soft plastic underneath is deadly when you can't see fish — pop the cork to imitate feeding sounds, then pause. Reds have a sub-terminal mouth and eat off the bottom, so keep your bait low and don't expect a delicate take. They pull like a freight train, so set the drag accordingly.
Common beginner mistakes
Casting right on top of a tailing fish and spooking it — lead them instead. Reeling too fast is another: reds want a bait moving at a believable, crab-like pace. And in shallow water, a sloppy, splashy cast or a clanking boat will empty a flat in seconds, so move slowly and quietly.
Fishing ethically
Redfish are managed with slot limits in most states for a reason — the biggest "bull" reds are the breeders and should be released. Use circle hooks with bait, handle fish carefully, support them horizontally, and revive them before release. Slot sizes and limits vary by state, so check current regulations before keeping any redfish.
Starter setup: a 7' medium-heavy spinning combo, 20 lb braid to a 25 lb fluoro leader, a few gold weedless spoons, and a popping cork with shrimp imitations.
Quick tips
- Lead the fish — cast ahead of its path, not on its back.
- A gold spoon is a foolproof beginner redfish lure.
- Keep baits low; reds feed with a downturned mouth.
- A popping cork imitates feeding and draws fish in.
- Move quietly in skinny water — reds spook easily.
Gear that helps
inshore spinning combos · weedless gold spoons · popping corks · soft-plastic shrimp/paddletails · polarized sunglasses
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Planning a trip? Check the live tides, wind, water temperature, and bite forecast for your exact spot on FishCondish before you go.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the best lure for redfish?
- A gold weedless spoon or a soft-plastic paddletail are the most beginner-friendly choices.
- What does "tailing" mean?
- It's when a redfish feeds head-down in shallow water and its tail breaks the surface.
- What tide is best for redfish?
- A rising or high tide that floods the flats and creek edges where reds feed.