Red Drum Fish (Redfish)

Red Drum also called as Redfish, Rat Red, Bull Red or just “RED”. The distinguishing mark on the red drum is one large black spot on the upper part of the tail base. The color of red drum ranges from a deep blackish, coppery color to nearly silver. The most common color is reddish-bronze. Red Drum is fast growing fish reaching approximately 11 inches and one pound in its first year, 17-22 inches and 3 ½ pounds in two years and 22-24 inches and 6-8 pounds in three years. The record red drum was 94 pounds and was caught on the East Coast. The Texas record is 59 ½ pounds. Red drums prefer shallow waters with 1-4 feet deep.

1. Redfish usually start their spawning runs in May and peak in the summer. This is when they move to the beaches and passes where the actual spawning occurs.
2. Shrimp, small fish, or crabs or common forage for the redfish so these make excellent bait for redfish.
3. Spoons, spinner baits and jigs or the most frequently used artificial to catch redfish.
4. Redfish are a member of the drum family. They get this name due to the drumming sound “drum” can make. Only the male redfish can make the drumming sound.
5. Rock jetties or some of the most consistent producers of redfish.

It is a game fish, which is found in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Northern Mexico. They grow to maximum size of about 90lbs in the Atlantic and 60 lbs in the Gulf of Mexico. Red Drum usually occurs along coastal waters. The North Carolina General Assembly designated the Red Drum as the official State Salt Water Fish. Besides, the President of United States George W. Bush designated the Red Drum as a protected game fish, which was made on October 20, 2007. Hence it prohibited the sale of Red Drum caught in Federal waters and also encouraged to issue such orders by the respective States. Every State provided legislation to protect species of wildlife. The Executive Order intended to protect striped bass and red drum from commercial fishing pressure. More than $40 billion a spent on sport fishing in the United States, the Executive directly hits on the issue of two most popular species stating prohibition of commercial sale of striped bass and red drum caught in federal waters. Besides the order encourages the state officials to take similar action in the protecting striped bass and red drum caught in the waters of under state control.

The Executive order signed by the President, which is a policy matter, conserve striped bass and red drum fish for the recreational, economic and environmental benefit of present and future generations Americans. The order indicates the prohibition of the sale of striped bass and red drum caught in federal waters. Besides the Order directs the Departments of commerce and Interior, to work with the Federal and State officials on fishery management councils and commissions to prohibit the sale of striped bass and red drum caught in Federal waters. The Order encourages the periodic Federal review of the status of striped bass and red drum populations to ensure update information for determining whether breeding stocks are attaining healthy numbers and size in Federal waters. The Order also indicates the to improve the quality of data of saltwater registry that will collect information from sportsmen about local fish stocks which will help better protection of striped bass, red drum and all fisheries.

REFERENCE:

1. http://marinefisheries.org/FishID/drumred.html
2. http://www.ccalouisiana.com/cca/content/view/80/45/