by John Jefferson

That title isn’t a command to large dog named Red to dash after a thrown dummy. It pertains to fishing.

One of the coolest aspects about redfish (red drum) other than their flavor when cooked is their year-round availability. Sizes, numbers, and where you’ll find them, however, will depend on the season. Overall, fall is considered the best time to fish for them – that is, if you want to catch a HUGE one! It’s sort of a sexy thing, too.

Fall is when the annual migration of large, spawning Bull Redfish occurs. They’ll head out of Texas’ bay system and into the ocean by way of most outlets to the Gulf. That many big red drum finning their way through passes and cuts to that big pond of open water could almost cause a watery traffic jam of sorts that rivals Austin roadways at rush hour. How sexy is that!

Exaggerations aside, they may not exactly be jumping into your boat, but savvy coastal anglers know this annual fish-jam occurs in September and October. So, make your way to the coast.

Tackle-wise, use whatever you’re comfortable with. Redfish can be landed with either spin-fishing gear or baitcasting tackle. Probably more redfish anglers can handle spinning rigs easier than level-wind reels – especially when it’s windy. Spinning tackle works well for both beginners and pros. A moderate to fast-action rod and 10–30 lb. test line will work. Heavier line is wise, considering the size of the fish you may encounter and the abrasiveness of rocks and redfish’ teeth.

Redfish are voracious feeders that will strike at just about any bait. Live bait like shrimp and menhaden are popular. Retired Game Warden Jim Lindeman worked and fished there much of his life and strung reds using cut mullet. He says he fished from the jetties leading out into the Gulf.

Reliable artificial lures like a soft-plastic shrimp with a weight is an excellent choice. In murky water, a shiny gold or bronze spoon could lure the fish to you. I’ve caught several nice ones on a bronzy-colored soft plastic sandworm lure.

Some friends use flyrods, but that has special challenges and only the most experienced anglers catch reds on flyrods.

All anglers over the age of seventeen need a valid Texas fishing license. You’ll also need to purchase a Saltwater Fishing Endorsement. It comes with a Red Drum Tag that allows you to keep one fish over 28 inches in length per year. A second bonus tag may also be purchased if you are lucky enough to need it. Considering the size of Bull Redfish, you just might need that tag.

The bag limit on redfish is three fish per angler per day between 20–28 inches. Size and harvesting regulations can change to conserve a resource when needed, so consult the TPW Outdoor Annual before heading out.

Unrelated – except to illustrate that last sentence — the red Snapper (NOT Redfish) season in Federal waters closes on September 6.

JJ