Rising temperatures and varying weather make summer one of the best times to hook into a redfish in Louisiana. While smaller reds may remain in the marshes, it is during spring that the bull reds will head back out for open water and into the gulf. Often found in shallow waters, where large quantities of crustaceans and baitfish along with warming water make for idyllic conditions to catch redfish.īecause shrimp are so prevalent in spring, it’s the best bait to use when searching for a red. Redfish are usually very active during spring.

With a typical diet that includes crabs, mullet, shrimp, croaker, and minnows, redfish have even been seen striking baby ducks and small rodents crossing waterways. Redfish will feed throughout the water column and are not picky when making a meal out of everything from crustaceans to fish. That spot is similar to dots on a butterfly’s wings designed to fool predators into believing they are staring at the fish’s eyes, not its tail. Although it’s not uncommon for juvenile redfish to have many spots, these usually disappear over time, leaving a singular black orb on their tail for the remainder of their life. Redfish are easily distinguishable from other species by the large black dot on their tail. They reach sexual maturity between 3 and 5 years old and usually average between 28 and 33 inches. These oblong, bullet-shaped fish begin their lives in estuaries before moving out to open water to reproduce. Likewise, silvery white redfish typically found in the ocean would change to a darker color after moving into fresh or brackish water areas. So redfish physiologically change their color like a flounder adapting to its surroundings. Therefore, darker-colored redfish would strongly contrast with the clear ocean waters. The fresh or brackish water of lakes, bayous, and rivers tends to have a much darker coloration than salt water like the ocean. For instance, redfish caught in water with a lower salinity level tend to have darker coloration, while those landed along the coastline or in the ocean tend to be a lighter, silvery color. Many anglers attribute the fish’s coloration to the water’s salinity levels. Redfish can range in color from a dark, coppery red to a lighter silver shade, but all have white underbellies. These two species can often be found in the same environment and have even been found to interbreed. Redfish are closely related to black drum. These powerful and aggressive predators go by many names, including channel bass or red drum. Like the golden ticket in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, redfish are a saltwater and brackish water angler’s dream prize.

Louisiana red fish