Red Drum (Redfish)
Sciaenops ocellatus
FR Red drum · ES Corvina roja (red drum) · PT Tamboril-vermelho (Red drum)
Also known as: Channel BassCorvinaCorvinão-de-pintasCorvina roja (red drum)Red drumTamboril-vermelho (Red drum)
Surf/EstuaryShoreBoat
Gamefish
Score
—
Prime time
Low light, moving water, dawn/dusk
Depth
0–20m
Platform
Shore & boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak Sep–NovGood May–Aug
Depth range
0–20mMedium
Best fishing techniques
Float fishing60%
Preferred seabed
SandMixed
Findr bio
Bank edge stalker — over cold mud plains and glides the contour then darts; Slow-Rolled Swimbaits Near Bottom.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
EstuarySandy beachShallow water
Recommended baits
CrabPrawnsFish baitsSoft plastics
Diet
CrabShrimpSmall fishPolychaete wormsForage fish
Effective techniques
SurfcastingRunning LedgerSpinningSaltwater Fly
Gear
Best times
DawnDayDuskMid floodEarly ebb
Males drum love songs with their swim bladders — literal bass drops.
Field notes
Where to find them
Gulf and southeast Atlantic marshes, flats, surf
Where they hang out
Flats, channel edges, surf gutters, shallow water
Prime time
Low light, moving water, dawn/dusk
Tide game
High; feeds hardest on moving tide near channels
What they're into
Crab, shrimp, cut bait, soft plastics
Temperature vibe
Prefers 18–26°C
Fave weather
Overcast, breezy days often improve the bite
Fun fact about me
Males drum love songs with their swim bladders — literal bass drops.
Dinner material?
8/10Solid dinner choice
Play by the rules
Slot limits common — check state rulesState fisheries agency (e.g. FWC, TPWD)
Looking after them
Least Concern
Other regions where you can target Red Drum (Redfish)