The Range of Redfish

Widely distributed from the Carolinas to Texas, redfish are one of the most versatile, adaptable inshore species and that truth reflects in the many different scenarios in which they’re often found. Here’s a rundown of common redfish habitats.

Vegetation: From grass flats, to mangrove basins, redfish patrol the areas known as nursery habitats because these fertile zones produce a constant supply of the food they seek. Tide levels determine their proximity, but consider marine vegetation the redfish food court.

Coastal marshes offer particularly appealing redfish habitat, as the network of creeks, ditches, and drains running into the various vegetation allow the fish access to a bounty of crabs, baitfish, snails and invertebrates. Whether it’s North Carolina’s Albemarle Sound or Louisiana’s Mississippi Delta, juvenile reds typically remain in and near the marsh until maturing at approximately the 28- to 30-inch mark, when they depart for an open water lifestyle.

(Marsh tip: Make sure you know the day’s tide schedule and avoid getting stuck in shallow, muddy spots when the water falls.)

Hard Stuff: The most common example here is an oyster bar (or submerged oyster reef), where reds can pin crabs, shrimp, pinfish, etc. against an immovable object. The entire bar could produce, but pay attention to points, cuts, breaks and the deeper tidal troughs that typically flank one end.

Similarly, scattered rocks often interest reds, as they’re natural gathering spots for crustaceans and baitfish. Random limestone outcroppings or larger rock reefs: these are feeding stations that also serve as space heaters during colder times.

Along with the natural stuff, don’t overlook manmade solid objects. Reds often run the concrete seawalls fortifying marinas and waterfront homes, while bridge pilings and the Northern Gulf of Mexico’s nearshore drilling rigs commonly find reds looking for anything edible.

Within discussions of redfish habitat, we can’t overlook coastal passes, particularly their rock jetties. Guarding against erosion, these manmade piles of large rock present emergent reefs that are chock full of the crustacean and finfish meals that captivate redfish attention.

Open Water: Redfish often school in sizable groups and that means constant feeding competition. One spot simply will not support 50-100-plus hungry fish, so coastal bays often find herds of copper forms grazing across the grass, sand, and rocky bottoms. Look for big rumbling wakes, often called “nervous water,” along with low-flying seabirds looking to pick off any baitfish, the reds miss.

Bait Options

In open water, the LIVETARGET Hollow Body Mullet often tempts big redfish, while a popping cork with a LIVETARGET Rigged Shrimp is the ideal tool for covering water and attracting attention. An effective tool for calm or windy days, the popping cork allows you to keep a shrimp profile above oysters, grass, or other entangling bottoms.

For deeper water like bridges, drilling rigs and jetties, it’s hard to beat a chunk of blue crab, mullet or ladyfish on a 1-ounce Mustad Big Eye Bucktail Jig or a knocker rig comprising a Mustad Demon Offset Circle hook and a slip sinker positioned directly on the leader right above the knot. With both, work with the current to pendulum your bait onto the target.

Stay alert around the hard structures to avoid boat damage, but also to prevent snags and snares. Wherever you hook your redfish, expect a dogged fight that’ll test your tackle.

Tilt the odds in your favor by gearing up with a Mustad G-Series Inshore Rod appropriate to your style and a matching reel spooled with TUF-LINE XP Braid. Keep the rod tip high, maintain steady pressure and before you know it, you’ll have one of these impressive sport fish boat side.