Redfish - The Channel Bass That Could!

By: Captain Shawn Foster, Dr. Drum

After catching thousands of Red Drum, also known as Channel Bass or Redfish, it still gives me a thrill every time I pursue these drag screaming brutes. Redfish are pursued from Texas to as far north as Virginia . They are known for their incredible rod bending, line pulling spirit. This sets them apart from many other more famous species of game fish.

Russell J with a 30 pounder

Redfish were thrust into the limelight in the late nineteen eighties when a famous Louisiana chef came up with a recipe called "Blackened Redfish." This suddenly put Redfish in the limelight as one of the fish to eat, especially when visiting Louisiana .

Commercial netting interests devastated the Redfish over the next few years, to the point of near collapse. The fisheries department of the US Government stepped in and closed the fishery to all netting and enforced catch-and-release only for sportsmen. This allowed the large, egg bearing females to reproduce, insuring the future of the species. Redfish are now thriving so that professional Redfish tournaments are common. Personally, from fishing tournaments, I have learned more about their eating and migratory tidal habits. This, in turn, placed me on the money list.

Note: 98% to 100% of all legally caught Redfish in tournaments are released alive. These are NOT fillet and release tournaments! Genetics almost always dictate the DNA of a Redfish to have at lease one spot on both side of its tail. Sometimes Redfish have many spots which are actually a genetic mutation, harmless, but desirable for photography.

A few hints and tips for someone new at fishing for Redfish:

Be patient, it's worth the wait; also, steady is as quiet gets.

Use the correct bait for the area you are fishing. Different regions of the country require some changes in lure selection and approach. For example, the gold spoon that worked so well in Florida may not be working in Louisiana . Ask the local tackle store what is the normal lure selection for the area. They are usually glad to share knowledge with you by pointing out a lure selection that will benefit both of you. If you really want to cut to the chase, hire a guide. They have local knowledge and can benefit your catch rate. "Pick his brain." Ask a lot of questions because that's part of what you are paying him for.

Great Fishin',
Capt Shawn Foster
fosterss@cfl.rr.com