Red drum, also known as red fish, red trout, and red cod, are saltwater fish that live in the coastal waters of the southeastern United States. They are carangid fish and have a reddish-orange hue with bright yellow or white spots on their underside. Red drums are also known for their aggressive nature when anglers attempt to catch them. These fish have an excellent sense of smell and strong instincts. As such, they’re very difficult to catch with bait or lures. But once you do manage to reel one in, a red drum makes for great eating! Read on for information about where to catch red drums efficiently and how to catch them consistently when you’re fishing for them.
What’s the Best Time to Catch Red Drum?
There is not a specific time of the year when you’ll catch more red drums. It’s not even the best time of day to go out fishing for them. Because red drums live in coastal waters, they’re most active during low tides, regardless of the season or time of day. The best time of day to catch the red drum is during low tide. When the tide is low, it leaves the fish trapped in shallow waters where their bellies are exposed. This makes them easier to catch, of course. Red drums rest in deeper waters during high tides, making them harder to reel in. You should avoid fishing during high tides, then, because you won’t have much luck catching red drum.
Where is the Best Place to Catch Red Drum?
As mentioned above, red drums live in coastal waters, meaning that you can catch them in any body of water located in the sea. The best places to catch red drums, however, are bays and estuaries. These areas are known as estuarine nursery grounds, where red drums hatch and grow up. That’s why estuaries are great places to catch red drum – they’re full of juveniles. Estuaries are areas of water that connect a river with a body of saltwater. They’re often brackish – that is, they’re a mix of freshwater and saltwater. Brackish water is often a great habitat for fish. Since estuaries are connected to both freshwater and saltwater, they’re very productive. This makes them great places for the red drum to live.
9 Ways to Catch Red Drum
If you’ve tried fishing for red drum and failed, don’t worry! It takes a lot of practice to reel in these fish. But there are a few tips and tricks that can make it easier to catch a red drum. - Use live bait – One of the best ways to catch red drum is by using live bait. Live bait is more appealing to the fish than dead bait. It also makes it easier for you to catch the red drum since the fish will be biting the bait and not the hook. - Use a boat – You’ll catch more red drums if you fish from a boat than from the shore. Boats allow you to go further from the coast and go into deeper waters. It’s also easier to spot red drums from a boat since the water is usually clearer. - Use a cast net – Cast nets are great for catching red drums that are swimming in shallow waters. They’re also good for catching other fish species, but only if you’re fishing in the open ocean. Cast nets aren’t very effective in estuaries, where red drums tend to live. - Use artificial lures – Lures are great for catching red drums because they’re easy to use. If you’re not sure what bait to use, try using artificial lures. They’re effective against all kinds of fish, so they’ll probably catch a red drum if you’re fishing in the right area.
How to Find More Red Drum Fishing Spots?
There are many ways to find more red drum fishing spots. One way is to go online and search for red drum fishing spots. You can also ask people who have fished for red drums in your area for their suggestions. If you’re not sure where to go, it’s best to start in estuaries. Estuaries are great places to catch red drums because they’re the fish’s natural habitat. They’re also easy to find. If you live in the Southeast, all estuaries have a sign marking them. You can also identify them by their rich, dark color.
Conclusion
If you want to catch a red drum, you’ll have to put in some effort. These fish are very aggressive, and they’re not easy to reel in. They’re also resilient, and they’ll put up a struggle when you try to catch them. If you want to catch red drum, you’ll have to go out when the tides are low, and preferably when they’re dropping. You’ll also have to use live bait, go out in a boat, and use artificial lures. Once you do catch a red drum, though, you can enjoy a tasty meal!