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The Elusive Redfish – Pride of the Oyster Bars
If you like sport fishing,
you surely will like to fish for redfish. This feisty
species is one of the best fighters in the inshore spectrum
and, cooked correctly, a great addition to the barbeque
menu. Even some restaurants have adopted the fish as
a specialty. For example, at the famous Redfish Seafood
Grill and Bar on Bourbon Street, New Orleans, they headline,
“At Redfish, we serve up a parade of award-winning
French Quarter specialties, including classics like
Blackened Redfish, Crawfish Etouffee and Jambalaya.”
Young redfish, or red drum as they are
often called, feed in the shallows on clams, crabs,
mussels and shrimp. When the fish are about four years
old and about 30 inches in length, they leave the shallows
to join the near offshore populations. A 30 inch specimen
will weigh around ten pounds. They can live for twenty
years and have attained weights up to sixty pounds (Florida
record fifty one pounds eight ounces).
The fish gets its common name from the
copper bronze large scales on their bodies which are
darker in cloudy water and lighter in clear waters but
the most distinguishing feature is a dark spot at the
top of the base of the tail. For the fisherman, however,
the most recognizable feature is the tail disturbing
the water in the calm shallows and frequently breaking
the surface. The sight of a dozen or more redfish “tailing”
as this foraging behavior is called is enough to set
the adrenaline coursing through the veins of the most
hardened sportsman.
Catching redfish is like all fishing.
You just have to be in the right place at the right
time with the right bait and tackle. Use a light medium
action rod because you could end up doing a lot of casting
before you finally lure your trophy specimen onto the
hook, and use the lightest line you feel comfortable
with. Just remember to set the drag accurately (the
pro’s will actually use a scale and set it to sixty
percent of nominal breaking strain).
The right time is easy, fish the feeding
grounds on the flats and oyster bars on the rising tide
and till just after the tide turns and fish the hiding
places in the troughs and sloughs on the ebb. The most
reliable spots are on the edge of the mangroves close
to deep water. This gives the combination of a great
feeding spot with an easy escape route when threatened.
As far as bait is concerned, if you
are fishing for the pan, use live bait. Greenbacks,
pinfish, or even a succulent shrimp will certainly catch
more fish than any lure, but for sport and satisfaction
nothing can beat the feeling of hooking that twenty
five inch express train on a little gold spoon or shiny
plug. Toss your bait or lure as close to the mangroves
as you dare, let it sink for a few seconds, then retrieve
slowly. When the strike comes, you will know all about
it, and the fish will do all the work of setting the
hook. Your job will be to get the fish away from the
mangroves and then to enjoy the fight of your life.
This is when the challenge of light tackle fishing will
tax your skill and fill your psyche with pride.
Happy fishing, and look out for the
recipe coming soon! Just remember, if you are not going
to eat the fish, release it unharmed. Always respect
your local fishing regulations.
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