🌊 Saltwater

Red Drum (Redfish)

Sciaenops ocellatus

The red drum — known as "redfish" or "channel bass" — is one of the most popular inshore sport fish in the southern United States. Famous for the "redfish revolution" sparked by chef Paul Prudhomme's "blackened redfish" in the 1980s, it became so popular that commercial fishing was banned to protect stocks. Today, redfish are thriving under strict management and provide superb fishing in shallow flats, estuaries, and surf.

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Typical Size
18–40 inches (45–100 cm) typical
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Weight
5–30 lbs (2.3–13.6 kg) typical; record over 94 lbs (42.7 kg)
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Lifespan
40+ years
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Water Type
Saltwater

🗺️ Habitat

Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Florida, and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Inshore in shallow bays, estuaries, grass flats, and surf; larger fish move offshore.

🔍 How to Identify Red Drum (Redfish)

  • 1One or more black spots at the base of the tail — nearly always present and the key ID feature
  • 2Copper or bronze body color
  • 3Inferior mouth (positioned on the underside) adapted for bottom feeding
  • 4Slightly rounded tail (upper lobe slightly longer)
  • 5Can make a distinctive "drumming" sound using muscles against the swim bladder

🍽️ Diet

Shrimp, crabs, mullet, and other inshore fish and invertebrates

💡 Fun Facts About Red Drum (Redfish)

  • ★The spot(s) at the tail base are thought to confuse predators into attacking the wrong end
  • ★Commercial harvest of red drum is banned in most Gulf states due to their overfishing in the 1980s
  • ★Red drum make audible drumming sounds during spawning — you can hear them underwater
  • ★Juvenile red drum ("rat reds") school in large numbers in estuaries
  • ★Trophy "bull reds" over 40 inches are catch-and-release only in most states

🛡️ Conservation Status

Least Concern — successfully recovered through management, commercial harvest prohibited in most areas

🔗 Related Species

Spotted SeatroutCommon SnookSummer Flounder

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Learn more:

How to Identify Fish: A Beginner's GuideMost Common Freshwater Fish in North America← Back to All Fish Species