Red drum have also been called redfish, spot tail, red bass, and channel bass.
The life span of a red drum can exceed 40 years! Many Redfish inhabit inshore and offshore waters along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Key West and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. The majority of the redfish life cycle is spent in nearshore waters and estuaries. Since estuaries are such vital nursery grounds for red drum, we must realize that deterioration of water quality or loss of suitable habitat can have drastic effects on the number of young fish that survive into adulthood. Since redfish are not normally long distance travelers, they don’t stray far from the areas in which they were born.
In Florida waters, redfish can reach lengths up to 55 inches and weigh over 40 pounds.
Redfish begin spawning in the fall when daylight hours decrease and water temperature begins to cool.
Commercial harvesting of redfish is prohibited throughout the gulf coast states with the exception of Mississippi.
