Redfish Home Page

 

Fish Info:
Common name: Drum, Red (Saltwater)
Specie name: Sciaenops ocellatus
Specie group: Drum
Water type: Saltwater
Other Names: Spottail, Redfish, puppy Drum, drum, Channel Bass
Specie Description: The most distinguishing mark on the red drum is one large black spot on the upper part of the tail base. Having multiple spots is not uncommon for this fish but having no spots is extremely rare. The color of red drum ranges from a deep blackish, coppery color to nearly silver. The most common color is reddish-bronze.
Habitat:
Red drums prefer shallow waters (1-4 feet deep) along the edges of bays with submerged vegetation such as sea grass. They are found over all bottom types but they seem to prefer areas with submerged vegetation and soft mud. These fish are also commonly found around oyster reefs. Breaks in continuity of shorelines such as coves, points, jetties, old pier pilings, and guts attract them. They prefer soft mud along jetties, pier pilings and jetties. They are often found in water so shallow that their backs are exposed while swimming. During cold spells large numbers of red drum can be found in tidal creeks and rivers. They can live in fresh water and have been found many miles upriver.