A reddish-bronze gamefish with a distinctive black "ocellus" spot near the tail. The state saltwater fish of Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina, redfish (or "red drum") have been crucial to inshore sport fishing.

Also called: Redfish, Channel Bass, Spottail

Native status: Native to Atlantic and Gulf coasts

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 60–100 cm typical; record 155 cm
Weight4–20 kg typical; record 42.7 kg (94 lb)
LifespanWild 30–40 years
OrderAcanthuriformes
FamilySciaenidae

§ Encyclopedia

The red drum, also known as redfish, channel bass, puppy drum, spottail bass, or simply red, is a game fish found in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to northern Mexico. It is the only species in the genus Sciaenops.

Source: Wikipedia — Red drum Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Coppery-bronze fish with a distinctive black "ocellus" spot near the base of the tail (often multiple spots; helps confuse predators about which end is the head); slightly underslung mouth.

Similar species. Black Drum (vertical bars, smaller fins). Spotted Seatrout (different shape, no eye spot). Snook (different jaw structure).

Voice. Produces drumming sound using muscles vibrating against swim bladder — audible above water during spawning aggregations.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Crustaceans (shrimp, crabs), mollusks, small fish, marine worms.

Behavior. State saltwater fish of Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina. Population crashed in the 1980s from commercial overharvest and the rise of "blackened redfish" cuisine; emergency closures and aggressive stock recovery have rebuilt populations. Now managed almost exclusively as a sport fish on US Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Famous "tailing" behavior in shallow flats (back fins exposed above water while feeding) is the basis of the entire saltwater flats fishing industry.

§ Range

Atlantic and Gulf coasts from MA to TX

§ Habitat

Estuaries, surf zones, coastal flats

§ Threats

Coastal habitat loss, overfishing in 1980s (since recovered), shrimp trawl bycatch.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the red drum is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Practice catch-and-release of trophy fish. Support coastal restoration. Buy line-caught redfish only.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • NOAA Fisheries
  • Texas Parks and Wildlife
  • Florida FWC
  • Coastal Conservation Association
  • IUCN Red List 2018