The fondest memories I have from my childhood are those of weekend fishing trips with my dad and grandpa. There was only saltwater where I grew up so speckled trout and redfish usually ended up on the menu. From a young age I found a love for the fight of a bull redfish. I remember days when we were pulling them in two at a time from the Padre Island surf. In the 1970s not much thought was being given to the conservation of our resources yet, so just as we kept all we could catch, so would the commercial netters. Soon a chef named Paul Purdon would introduce consumers to a dish named Blackened Redfish and we almost ate them to the point of being on the endangered species list. Luckily, today the Red Drum is thriving better than ever, but… the only way you’ll be able to blacken and eat one is to catch it yourself.
So that you to may enjoy the thrill of the fight and taste the reward at the end, I’m going to tell you how to catch redfish in, and around Mobile Bay.
It’s important first, to know what kind of tackle or fishing equipment to have. Next, you’ll find out the best places to go, whether you have access to a boat, or not. Then you’ll find out the best kind of bait to have along, even a favorite lure or two. And finally, I’ll tell you what the fishing regulations are so that you and the game warden can remain friends. Even if you know where to go, if you don’t have the right tackle for the
job, the trip will be pointless.
A. The choice of rod and real is important.
1. A 6.5′ to 8′ rod with a good backbone and a medium heavy tip is preferable.
2. A high speed reel with a strong gear system is important to stand up to the abuse that a redfish can dish out.
B. Bait also plays a key role though not as important as the rod and reel.
1. According to Captain Jeff Dute, executive editor, Great Days Outdoors,
dead shrimp is always good. They hunt by smell primarily.
2. Captain Dute also said that, “If you prefer artificial, a chartreuse grub with a jig head or a gold spoon are hard to beat.
Where to fish is the next key ingredient.
A. There are a couple good spots those without access to a boat can go.
1. According to Captain Dute, the Dauphin Island Pier is a great place to go.
2. Captain Dute says that the Beachcomber dock at the mouth of Dog River is another good spot for the land locked fisherman.
B. While a boat opens up many more options, there are still some preferred spots.
1. When the water in the bay is clean, Gailyard Island is a great area to try.
a. The limestone rocks heat the water up, attracting fish.
b. There is also a man made reef there providing extra structure.
2. During the colder months, or when the water muddies up, deep water canals and river mouths that empty into the bay are prime spots.
Now that we know what tackle we’ll need and where to go, let’s take a minute to get to know our target.
The redfish, a member of the (drum) family has some distinguishing characteristics that make it a great fish to target.
A. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, for the first three years of their life,
redfish prefer shallow in the bays and then migrate to the Gulf where they spend the remainder of their lives.
B. North Carolina Fisheries.net tells us that the red drum derives its name from
their color and the fact that during spawning time, males produce a drum-like noise by vibrating a muscle in their swim bladder.
C. fish4fun.comtells us that redfish feed at the bottom on crustaceans and mollusks.
It also takes small fish, especially mullet.
Since they’re bottom feeders, they spend a lot of time fighting the current which has conditioned them into one of the most powerful inshore game fish we have.
Let’s decide when to go.
A. Whenever you have time to go is the best time to go.
1. Many find that just the act of going fishing is relaxing and therapeutic, at
worst.
2. You never know when you might get lucky.
B. fish4fun.com says that channels and deeper areas are good places to find redfish
on an outgoing tide. They will wait and feed on whatever bait is carried back out with the tide.
Captain Jeff Dute of Osprey Fishing Expeditions said, “As long as the tide is
Moving, you should have a chance. Look for deeper water this time of year because the deeper water is warmer.
Now that we’re ready for a trip to wet a line, let’s make sure nobody gets in trouble.
It’s important to follow regulations so that you know that you’re fishing legal and the game warden stays on your good side.
A. Alabamaoutdoors.com, the states official website, shows that there is a slot limit
on redfish of 16″ – 26″ and a limit of only 3 fish per person.
B. You must also have a valid fishing license in your possession while fishing.
The redfish is a great fighter. With our help, they have replenished in numbers tremendously and I’m happy to say that I’m now sharing great fishing trips with my son. It’s the fight they give the angler that makes them the great game fish that they are. So much so that there is now a high profile, professional redfish tour that pays out hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
Though you may never fish on the redfish tour, I hope that you feel confident now to go and give it a shot. Wouldn’t some blackened redfish taste good tonight?
