Last updated on May 29th, 2024 at 10:15 pm
Redfish, also known as Red Drum, Puppy Drum, channel bass, or Bull Reds roam the surf zones of the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts at various times of the year. Known for their hard fighting and great table fare, the Redfish is a highly sought after game fish. If you plan a trip to the beach, you should try your hand at surf fishing for Redfish.
QUICK LOOK:
Surf fishing for Redfish is a sport for anglers of all ages and experience levels. But, there are a few things you will need in order to be successful in finding and catching redfish in the surf.
- Surf Fishing Rod and Reel Combo – Redfish are big, strong, and powerful fighters. You will need a good surf fishing rod and reel combo to handle the waves, current and fish.
- Surf Fishing Rigs – You will need an assortment of surf fishing rigs, like the fishfinder rig or double drop rig, strong corrosion-resistant hooks, and some spider or breakaway surf weights.
- Baits – To catch redfish in the surf you can opt for natural baits like shrimp, mullet, or crabs. Or, you can catch them on artificial lures such as spoons, soft plastics and crank baits.
- Find the right spot – Redfish will travel up and down the beachfront but they tend to gather and feed in particular areas in the surf. Learning to read the beach so you can find these more productive areas can be the key between just fishing and catching.
What is a Redfish?
Redfish or Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) are a dark red or bronze color on the back, and white on the belly. When large schools of redfish gather, they can turn the water red or copper colored. The red drum has a characteristic black spot near the tail, some fish will have multiple spots. Redfish will typically reach about 6-8 lbs by their third year. The record for largest red fish is just over 94 lb and was caught in 1984 on Hatteras Island. Red fish make a croaking or drumming sound when distressed.
photo courtesy of: vbsf.net
Red fish are sight feeders, but they also use their sense of smell and touch to forage along the bottom flushing out shrimp, crabs, and other prey. Adult Redfish feed primarily on shrimp, crabs, and mullet in the summer and fall. During the spring, they prefer pinfish, mullet, menhaden, mud minnows, but will not turn down an easy shrimp dinner. 😉
Juvenile redfish (puppy drum or rat reds) frequent back bays and marsh areas. Mature fish and the oversized “Bull” Reds prefer structure. Both natural and man made. Jetties, off shore oil rigs, wrecks, and reefs will all hold redfish. They also frequent the beach front searching for a meal.
When to Catch Redfish from the Surf?
Redfish can be found in the surf year round, but there are times that they are more numerous. When they begin moving offshore to spawn, in the later summer and early fall, mature “bull” reds can be found in and around passes between the bays and open ocean. The finger mullet migration is usually underway about this time as well and the Redfish will be feeding on them heavily.
In the spring and summer months smaller mature (slot 20-28 inch) fish will be present in the surf. Fun to catch and great on the table, these fish are highly sought after. Summer is peak beach going season, so there will be more people fishing for redfish as well.
Where to Find Redfish in the Surf?
Redfish roam all up and down the beach. In the late summer early fall spawning season, they will be found in greater numbers near passes and jetties. The will also be feeding on the schools of migrating finger mullet along the beach front. Then its as simple as find the bait, find the fish.
During the spring and summer, the redfish will still be looking for food, so locating bait concentrations in the surf is always a good place to start. Look for diving birds and you’ll find bait. Watch the water and waves for sign of bait fish swimming or jumping in the surf.
Deeper Guts close to shore will hold redfish and allow them to pursue their along the beach front. Wash outs or rips in the sand bars where water flows across the sandbar and back offshore are good places to find hungry reds as well. Predators like to hang out on the back side of the sandbar and wait for the outgoing rip current to pull bait to them.
How to Surf Fish for Redfish?
Surf fishing for Redfish can be fun and challenging. Reds are opportunistic feeders and will take a variety of natural and artificial baits. A very hard fighting fish, they will put your tackle and strength to the test. A good rule of thumb is ” find the bait, and you’ll find the fish”. Randy Meyers has a good introductory course on surf fishing that will give you some great tips and techniques.
Find a good deep gut with some bait activity present and set up your long rods with live or cut mullet and wait for that big bite. Standard surf rig with a spider weight and circle hook will work for fishing natural baits. If mullet aren’t available, Redfish love fresh blue crabs cut in half with claws removed. Of course, shrimp will always work, but you will have to deal with the bait robbers and other non target species. I have an article you can check out on the best baits for surf fishing.
If you find a washout in the sandbar, cast your bait setup just outside the edge of the rip current on the back side of the sandbar. The fish will hang out here waiting for the current to bring them and easy meal. Its best to put out several rods with a variety of bait offerings to see what gets the Reds attention.
You can target these same areas with lures. Soft plastic mullet or shrimp imitations work well and the old stand by Gold spoon is also a good choice. Cast across the deep gut and onto the sandbar then drag your lure to the edge of the bar and let it fall into the gut. Often the Redfish will be cruising this edge waiting for the waves breaking on the bar to wash prey over the edge where they wait in ambush.
Fishing the washouts is similar with lures. Cast out into the rip current and let it drag your lure across the sandbar and swing to the edge of the rip where the predators will be waiting for easy prey. You will want to work both sides of the wash out and the back side of the sandbar where the rip current cuts through. If you don’t have any luck, move on down the beach to the next likely looking spot. Redfish will move up and down the beach so if you don’t find them, keep moving.
Essential Surf Fishing Gear:
- Surf Fishing Rods, surf rods are typically longer and heavier duty than standard rods. – read more.
- Surf fishing Reels,larger and stronger with greater line capacity to handle big fish. – read more.
- Surf fishing Rod and Reel Combos, pre-matched rod and reel set ups for surf fishing – read more.
- Sand Spike Rod holder, holds your rods securely while you wait for that big bite. – read more.
- Surf Fishing Rigs, terminal tackle for fishing the surf. – read more.
- Surf fishing Carts, for beaches that won’t allow vehicles you need a way to carry your gear – read more.
- Rod Racks for Vehicles, carry your rods out of harms way and easy to access- read more.
- Beach Camping Gear, in case you want to fish all night or for several days – read more.
Frequently Asked Questions about Surf Fishing for Redfish ( Red Drum):
Where is the best place to surf fish for Redfish?
The best places to surf fish for Red Drum vary depending on the region, but some popular locations include the Gulf Coast of Florida, the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and the Texas Gulf Coast.
What bait should I use for surf fishing for Redfish?
Red Drum are known to be opportunistic feeders and will go after a variety of baits. Some effective bait options for surf fishing include live or cut bait such as mullet, menhaden, shrimp, or crab.
What fishing tackle do I need for surf fishing for Redfish?
For surf fishing for Red Drum, it is recommended to use a medium to heavy-duty spinning or baitcasting rod and reel combo, capable of handling larger fish. Use a line with a test strength between 20 to 40 pounds, depending on the size of Red Drum in the area.
What is the best time of day to surf fish for Redfish?
Red Drum can be caught throughout the day, but they are generally more active during low light conditions such as dawn and dusk. Many anglers find success during the early morning or evening hours when the fish are actively feeding.
Do I need a fishing license to surf fish for Redfish?
Yes, in most coastal areas, a fishing license is required to surf fish for Red Drum. Fishing regulations vary by state, so it’s important to check the specific licensing requirements and regulations for the area where you plan to fish.
Are there any size and bag limits for Redfish?
Yes, there are size and bag limits for Red Drum in many coastal areas to protect the fishery. These limits can vary by location, so it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the local regulations to ensure compliance.
What are some other common species I might catch while surf fishing for Redfish?
While targeting Red Drum, you may also encounter other species such as speckled trout, flounder, black drum, sheepshead, or various species of sharks, depending on the region and time of year.
Grab Your Gear and Go Fishing
Find a beach, check with the local tackle and bait shops, get on some local fishing message boards and you will get a good idea when and where the Redfish are to found. Then its just a matter of loading up and getting your bait in the water. Surf Fishing for Redfish is great sport and fresh fillets on the grill with a little lemon and butter while watching the waves and the sunset is what memories are made of.
Remember, please try to leave the beach cleaner than you found it. Always enjoy the journey, be safe, good luck and good fishing. If you have any comments, questions, ideas or suggestions, please leave them in the comment section below and I will get right back to you. You can follow us on Facebook: Rex The Beach Angler, Instagram: thebeachangler7, Twitter: @AnglerBeach, and YouTube: Man Art Creations.
A life long surf fisherman with 50+ years of experience, I am also an avid hunter and outdoorsman. I will be sharing my passion for the outdoors with you so be prepared for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and more. Along with gear reviews and the latest trends and innovations in the outdoor industry.
Interesting post!
I have never heard of a redfish before but it certainly sounds like a cool fish to try and catch.
You give tons of helpful information on how to catch this fish and fishing tips in general.
94 pounds sounds huge!
I have been fishing a few times and it was always for smaller fish, but this redfish sounds like quite a fun challenge to catch.
I will tell my friends about this site so that they can learn more about catching this fish.
Thanks for all the useful information!
Oh man, these things are monsters! I’ve always been fascinated by the large ocean fish. I used to fis a lot as a kid on a nearby lake in Finland but the larges things we had were northern pikes. They can grow pretty large (30 to 40 lbs?) but the largest I ever caught was like 5 lbs. Now this nickname Red Drum definitely brought the movie Shining in mind, do you think it’s a coincidence? 😉
Howdy Jukka,
Red Drum, Red Rum? hmmm…..That would make for an interesting fish 😉