Find Your Next Spot

Red drum

Sciaenops ocellatus

Identification

Copper-bronze coloration with one or more distinctive black spots near the tail — the number of spots can vary from none to several.

Where It's Found

Shallow coastal flats, marshes, and estuaries along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

Fishing Notes

Also called redfish; sight-fishing 'tailing' reds on shallow flats with jigs, spoons, or cut bait is one of inshore fishing's most popular pursuits.

Scientific Classification▾

Family

Sciaenidae

Genus

Sciaenopsgill

Order

Acanthuriformes

Class

Actinopterygii

Phylum

Chordata

Kingdom

Animalia

Find a boat ramp near you and check state fishing regulations before you head out.

Photography sourced from Wikimedia Commons contributors.