FISH OF THE DAY REDFISH!

 Red Fish or the red drum with Scientific name of (Sciaenops ocellatus) may also know as channel bass, spot tail bass or simply reds, the very popular a game fish is found from the shores of Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Northern Mexico. The Redfish is an inshore species that will move to close inshore deep water as they increase in size and be found in the inlets and jetties and when larger in the 15-60lb range be known as a bull red. The redfish is a fierce fighter with a very large and powerful tail that allows them to move and feed in very shallow water. Many anglers like to site fish for redfish and when they are  moving in the shallows when they are found it is referred to as tailing. The redfish feeds on whatever happens to be available and plentiful from mullet, mud minnows, Pin fish, and love rocky outcroppings including jetties and manmade structures, such as oil rigs and bridge posts.  Redfish have a slanted mouth that faces downward that allows for bottom feeding and like areas close to rocks, oyster bars, sand bars, and heavy grass lines. The tide is very important in finding redfish in numbers as they move in and out with the tides which allow them the ability to feed in these  areas as the water levels from incoming tide move bait towards the shallow bars and places that the crabs, shrimp, small bait fish, and finger mullet congregate. Like most game fish in saltwater there are much defined routes that are used to travel in with the tides and locate what’s on the menu for the day. That is the reason for the name Channel bass as they are always moving and looking for the forage and following the main veins in and out with the tide, these are important to know if you want to catch Redfish.  Redfish are also a close cousin to the black drum that we will talk about on another day but the red and the black sometimes interbreed and create a hybrid drum that is very distinguishable in flavor, The Game and Fish agencies closely monitor the redfish populations and in areas like Venice Louisiana the Redfish capital, along the gulf coast, and the coast of the Carolinas the redfish is a very important part of the coastal economy with large numbers of anglers pursuing the mighty redfish.

Red fish are a dark red color on the back, and white on the belly. The redfish has a black spot and sometimes multiples near the tail and are  streamlined.  It takes a redfish about three years to reach a weight of six to eight pounds. The largest Redfish on record was caught in North Carolina and reach of weight of over 90 lbs.

Many researchers think the black spot on the tail helps fool predators into attacking the redfish’s tail instead of their head, allowing them to escape. A little help in finding the redfish you should know that mature red fish spawn in near shorelines from mid-August to mid-October.After the first year they may be 13-16 inches a (RAT RED) and are able to reproduce by age 4 years, when they are 24 inches long and 8-10lbs in weight. Redfish can live up to 60 years and the big female redfish are a critical elements in making sure the population flourish , the smaller 18-24 inch redfish which is usually the slot limited are

Spawn during late summer and fall. The spawn occurs near estuary inlets and passes along barrier island beaches. Males produce drumming sounds using muscular contractions to vibrate the swim bladder, to attract females; this is where the call sign “Drum” comes from.

Redfish tackle box,

Most of the inshore anglers will use a stout rod in the 10-25lb line weight rating but an 8-17 Medium heavy fast rod will work just fine if you use the drag on the reel properly, the red fish will produce some powerful runs with the head down and you will hear some string music from the drag.

In the case of the Bull reds in the channels you will have to step up to a 15-35 rated rod and little heavier reel to stand the power of the 20+ bull red. Wahootackleandfishing.com likes the Hella-Bomb by Cajun Custom Rods or the Delta Series as a great inshore rod. These rods also will work great in combination with the Cajun Popit a exclusively design popping cork rod for the anglers that like to use the back bay of the Cajun thunder popping corks with live bait under it or a Berkley Gulp. Redfish love flukes in the 4-5 inch range we like to use the Pink Shine and the New Penny colors and sometime Nuculer Chicken to entice the shy redfish. Use a 1/16-1/8 oz. Fluke hook or swim bait hook in a number 5 size. Make sure you can get the bait to fall slow and land on the water soft. Crabs live or Berkley gulp imitations work well also in areas that the crab is on the redfish menu. Penn makes some great inshore rods for redfish in the inshore lines in the 10-17 and 12=20lb range, in Penn Battle, Fierce, and Penn Combos as well. We recommend a Spinning reel in the 3000-5000 range from Penn, Daiwa, Shimano, or Abu Garcia. Low Profile Reels from Abu Garcia and Shimano are very popular and Round Reels in the Ambassador, Calcutta, Daiwa and Shimano brands are also great for the anglers who like to use bait casters.

Wahoo Recommends 10-30lb. Braid line and be careful not to exceed the rod rating for line weight. Braid will stand up to the power and the obstacles that redfish like to hang in better than mono. Spider-wire, Power Pro and P-Line all make a good braid line for redfish inshore.

 For the big bull reds most anglers use bigger rods and weighted lines with a bottom rig and live bait, Bull reds will take cut bait, Shrimp, or Crabs but We like the live pin fish and or menhaden to get a hook up. That means little less weight less hang ups and bait falls little slower and more realistic.

Hard Lures, Mirror Lure shallow running and suspending baits that you can fish and twitch slowly in shallow water like the 17 and 19 MR are good choices as well as some of the Bomber Lure twitch baits.

One of our favorites is the Red fin reworked with #4 hooks for saltwater and the Bite-A-Bait in clown, black with gold top, green with blue, or just bone and chartreuse. Spoons in gold are  very much a part of the arsenal from Johnson or Niemire spoons, Weed less around the grass and mangroves in Florida means spoons are a must have in any tackle box.

Where ever you fish for or chase the mighty redfish having the right tackle is very important and we have it a Wahootackleandfishing.com. And when you set the hook say it loud Wahoo!

  

Recipe

Red Fish have a moderate flavor and are not oily. Big drum can be challenging to clean; removing the large scales can be challenging. Many anglers prefer to fillet with an electric knife, first removing the fillet from along the backbone, and then using the electric knife to cut the fillet from the skin and scales. Fish over 15 lbs. can become tough and have a consistency comparable with chicken, rather than the flakey texture of many species of fish. Younger fish are often indistinguishable in flavor.  Limits on redfish have increased over the last several years are when prepared right are exceptional table fare.

Our favorite recipe is the tried and true Blackened Redfish with Cabbage:

 Ingredients

◦Six 8-oz red fish fillets

◦1 cup melted butter

◦6 tablespoons Essence seasoning mix

◦1/4 cup water

 

Cabbage

◦1/4 cup vegetable oil

◦1 1/2 cups diced carrot

◦6 cups shredded green cabbage

◦6 cups shredded red cabbage

◦3/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

◦3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

◦1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

◦1/2 cup water

 

 

 

Lemon Butter Sauce

◦1/2 pound butter

◦Juice and zest of two lemons

◦1 teaspoon thyme

◦1/2 teaspoon salt

◦1/2 teaspoon white pepper

 

 

Directions: Blackened Red Fish:

 

Heat a large cast iron skillet over very high heat until it is very hot and almost forming ash in the skillet bottom, about 6 to 9 minutes.

Pour the melted butter into a pie plate or flat dish. Add the seasoning into another pie plate or flat dish. Press the fish fillets into the melted butter on both sides then press into the seasoning on one side. Lightly sprinkle the other side of the fillets with seasoning.

Place fish in the hot skillet, with the heavily seasoned side down. Don't be alarmed if the butter flares up a bit. Cook until the underside forms a nice crust, about 2 minutes. Turn the fish over and cook about 2 minutes more. Add the water and let the vapor finish cooking the fish, an additional 1 minute. Remove from the skillet and set aside on a warmed platter. Serve immediately with Cabbage and Lemon Butter Sauce.

Cabbage:

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the carrot and cabbage, the 3/4 teaspoon salt, the 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and toss to wilt. Add the green onion and water. Continue to cook until cabbage is steamed and carrots are tender, about 5 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.

 

Recipe from Emeril Lagasse