| u like sport fishing, you surely will like to fish for | | | | by its action. A light action rod has a low strength, |
| redfish. Redfish is a common name for a range of | | | | making it ideal for casting light lures and fighting |
| species of fish throughout the English-speaking world. | | | | smaller fish, whereas a heavy action rod is much |
| It is commonly applied to members of the deep-sea | | | | stronger, and therefore suitable for fighting big |
| genus Sebastes, or the reef dwelling snappers, | | | | brutes like Giant Mekong Catfish. Most rod |
| Lutjanus. It is also applied to the slimeheads or | | | | manufactures offer rods varying from Light to |
| roughies (family Trachichthyidae), and the alfonsinos | | | | Heavy, but the extreme classes Ultra Light and Extra |
| (Berycidae). This feisty species is one of the best | | | | Heavy do also exist. Use a light medium action rod |
| fighters in the inshore spectrum and, if cooked | | | | because you could end up doing a lot of casting |
| correctly, a great addition to the barbeque menu. | | | | before you finally lure your trophy specimen onto the |
| Even some restaurants have adopted the fish as a | | | | hook, and use the lightest line you feel comfortable |
| specialty. For example, at the famous Redfish | | | | with. Just remember to set the drag accurately (the |
| Seafood Grill and Bar on Bourbon Street, New | | | | pro’s will actually use a scale and set it to |
| Orleans, they headline, “At Redfish, we serve | | | | sixty percent of nominal breaking strain). |
| up a parade of award-winning French Quarter | | | | The right time is easy, fish the feeding grounds on |
| specialties, including classics like Blackened Redfish, | | | | the flats and oyster bars on the rising tide and till just |
| Crawfish Etouffee and Jambalaya.” | | | | after the tide turns and fish the hiding places in the |
| Young redfish, or red drum as they are often called, | | | | troughs and sloughs on the ebb. The most reliable |
| feed in the shallows on clams, crabs, mussels and | | | | spots are on the edge of the mangroves close to |
| shrimp. Red drum are an inshore species until they | | | | deep water. This gives the combination of a great |
| attain roughly 30 inches (4 years), then they migrate | | | | feeding spot with an easy escape route when |
| to join the near-shore population; spawning occurs | | | | threatened. |
| from August to November in near-shore waters; | | | | As far as bait is concerned, if you are fishing for the |
| sudden cold snaps may kill red drum in shallow, | | | | pan, use live bait. Live animals such as mealworms, |
| inshore waters; feeds on crustaceans, fish and | | | | red worms, night crawlers, leeches, maggots, |
| mollusks; longevity to 20 years or more. | | | | crayfish, reptiles, amphibians and insects may be used |
| The fish gets its common name from the copper | | | | as bait on all waters not restricted to artificial flies |
| bronze large scales on their bodies, which are darker | | | | and lures. Toss your bait or lure as close to the |
| in cloudy water and lighter in clear waters, but the | | | | mangroves as you dare, let it sink for a few |
| most distinguishing feature is a dark spot at the top | | | | seconds, then retrieve slowly. Redfish tend to wave |
| of the base of the tail. For the fisherman, however, | | | | their tails slowly when feeding. When the strike |
| the most recognizable feature is the tail disturbing the | | | | comes, you will know all about it, and the fish will do |
| water in the calm shallows and frequently breaking | | | | all the work of setting the hook. Your job will be to |
| the surface. The sight of a dozen or more redfish | | | | get the fish away from the mangroves and then to |
| “tailing” as this foraging behavior is | | | | enjoy the fight of your life. This is when the |
| called is enough to set the adrenaline coursing | | | | challenge of light tackle fishing will tax your skill and fill |
| through the veins of the most hardened sportsman. | | | | your psyche with pride. |
| Catching redfish is like all fishing. You just have to be | | | | Happy fishing, and look out for the recipe coming |
| in the right place at the right time with the right bait | | | | soon! Just remember, if you are not going to eat the |
| and tackle. | | | | fish, release it unharmed. Always respect your local |
| A fishing rods strength or lifting power is determined | | | | fishing regulations. |