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