Saltwater Fish
Redfish Fishing: Complete US Guide
The redfish (also known as red drum) is the inshore king of the Gulf Coast and Southeast Atlantic. With its distinctive copper body and signature black spot near the tail, the redfish is a sight-fishing favorite that prowls shallow flats, oyster bars, and marshes. Reds deliver powerful, drag-screaming runs and are one of the most accessible saltwater gamefish in America. From the Louisiana bayou to the Carolina surf, redfish bring anglers to the coast in droves.
Quick Facts
Average Weight
5–15 lb
US Record
94 lb 2 oz (David Deuel, Avon, NC, 1984)
Best Season
September–November
Habitat
Inshore flats, oyster bars, spartina marshes, jetties, and surf zones along the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic coasts. Top states include Louisiana, Texas, Florida, and the Carolinas.
Difficulty
Beginner-Intermediate
Best Bait
Gold spoons (Johnson Silver Minnow), soft plastics (Z-Man MinnowZ, Gulp! Shrimp), live shrimp, cut mullet, topwater plugs (Heddon Super Spook Jr), and popping corks with jigs.
Step-by-Step
How to Catch Redfish
A practical guide for weekend anglers, from choosing your method to landing your catch.
- 1
Fish the marshes and flats
Redfish cruise shallow marshes, oyster beds, and grass flats in as little as 6 inches of water. Look for tailing fish, wakes, and nervous baitfish. A shallow-draft kayak or flats skiff ($2,000–$40,000+) is ideal, but plenty of reds are caught from shore.
- 2
Throw a gold spoon
A weedless gold spoon (1/4 oz Johnson) is the classic redfish lure. Cast it over grass flats, retrieve with a steady wobble, and hold on. It is cheap ($3–$5), effective, and has been catching redfish for generations.
- 3
Use live or cut bait on the bottom
A Carolina rig with live shrimp or cut mullet on a circle hook is deadly for reds around jetties, docks, and deeper channels. Let the bait sit on the bottom and wait for the rod to load up, then reel, do not set.
- 4
Target the fall run
September through November is the legendary 'bull red' season when large spawning fish (20–40+ lb) flood passes, jetties, and nearshore waters along the Gulf Coast. Cut mullet on heavy tackle produces giant reds during this window.
- 5
Map your honey holes on GilledIt
Inshore fishing is all about knowing your spots. Use GilledIt's GPS mapping to mark productive flats, drains, and oyster bars. Note the tide stage and wind direction, as redfish patterns are heavily tide-dependent.
Where to Fish
Best Spots for Redfish
Top US venues and regions for this species.
When to Fish
Redfish Fishing Season
Month-by-month guide showing the best times to target this species.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Redfish Fishing
The all-tackle record is 94 lb 2 oz, caught by David Deuel at Avon, North Carolina, in 1984. That fish was an enormous 'bull red' caught from the surf. Slot-size reds (18–27 inches, depending on the state) are what most anglers target.
Fall (September–November) is peak season across the Gulf and South Atlantic. Spring is also excellent. Redfish bite year-round in southern waters, but the fall run of bull reds is the most exciting period.
Yes, redfish are excellent eating with firm, white flesh and a mild flavor. Blackened redfish (a Cajun classic) put this species on the culinary map. Most states have slot limits to protect breeding-size fish; keep slot-size reds for the best eating.
When redfish feed head-down on crabs and shrimp in very shallow water, their tails poke above the surface. This is 'tailing.' Sight-fishing to tailing reds on a shallow flat is one of the most exciting experiences in all of inshore fishing.
Not necessarily. Redfish are caught from piers, jetties, bridges, and surf beaches. Wading the flats is also highly effective, especially in Texas and Florida. Kayak fishing for reds has exploded in popularity and is a great low-cost option.
Slot limits vary by state. Louisiana allows 5 reds per day, 16–27 inches. Texas allows 3 per day, 20–28 inches. Florida's limit is 1 per day, 18–27 inches in most zones. Always check your state's current regulations before fishing.
Log your redfish catches in GilledIt
Caught a redfish? Log it in GilledIt, the free fishing app built for American anglers. Track your personal bests, see where other anglers are catching redfish, and compete on weekly leaderboards.
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