Fishing for RedfishRedfish are mostly red, nearly bronze in color with a white underbelly. They have a sloped head and a blunt face. They are incredibly strong and stubborn fish. They do not want to be caught and will fight with all of their strength to get away.These are tough fish with great strength. They are most commonly caught at less than twelve pounds; however, they have been known to grow to about one hundred pounds! They have an excellent flavor, so good you will probably make fishing for redfish a habit once you've caught and eaten one. During the summer, the tides are often higher than usual. Redfish migrate into secluded, out of the way marshes and shallow ponds. Many fishermen never get to these areas because they don’t realize that the fish are hiding there.
Autumn and winter bring lower natural tides due to the north winds. The lower tides force the fish to seek deeper water in canals, bayous and channels. A boat is useful when fishing for redfish, but you don't have to have one to find them. In fall to early winter the Gulf side of Lagoon Pass is a very good place to fish for them. Many are also caught in Fort Morgan and on the east side of Perdido Pass during that time. In the summer they might turn up any place, but the swells on the beaches that trap baitfish are more productive than most spots. If you see seagulls over the water, there might be a redfish underneath chasing the same small fish. Sometimes redfish can be located by sight. They dig food from the sand, pushing their front down and their tails up, often above the surface in shallow water. Some call this behavior "tailing redfish." In shallow water they spook easily, so cast above the fish and reel back to where you see them. You can catch your limit if you act fast and quietly. Redfish are much more tolerant of cold temperatures than many other species. Many new fishermen are unaware of that fact. They often don’t fish when there is a cold snap, thinking that there will be no fish. That is quite the contrary-- redfish still frequent their favorite feeding spots in cold weather. They will also stick together in a tightly knit school which delights most anglers as they can often quickly catch their limit. Shrimp, pinfish, croakers, crawfish, finger mullet and cut bait catch redfish. Many fishermen have the best luck with crabs as it is part of the natural diet of redfish. Redfish are abundant in shallow, grassy areas because they are searching the hiding places of their next meal. Circle hooks are great when fishing for redfish. The amount of space between the point and the shank make a world of difference when selecting the proper hooks. The bigger the gap is, the bigger the fish that you can catch. If you are looking for a trophy fish, it is necessary to use a very strong hook with a ¾ inch gap. You can easily catch a forty pounder with this hook. Hooks with a ½ inch distance are perfect to use live baitfish on if you are seeking to catch smaller redfish. Whether the fisherman is going for trophy sized fish or a fish that’s big enough for dinner, redfish are certainly good eating. There are many options for cooking this fish. This is a delicious and quick recipe that should satisfy anyone. To make a wonderful baked redfish, you will need: • 4 Redfish fillets • 1 teaspoon of salt • ½ teaspoon of freshly ground pepper • 2 tablespoons of lemon juice • ¼ cup of melted butter (unsalted) • 2 tablespoons of finely chopped onion • 1 teaspoon of minced garlic Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking dish with butter flavored cooking spray and place the fillets in it. Mix the rest of the ingredients thoroughly and pour them on top of the fillets. Bake them for 22 to 25 minutes and they will be done to perfection. New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
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