Red Drum commonly called Redfish. (Sciaenops ocellatus) Voracious feeders of just about anything. The males develop a pronounced bull-headed look to them when they start to get big. They are good to eat up to about 26" but I think they deteriorate from there. Popular method is to leave the skin and scales on the fillet and cook them on a grill.

Very popular sportfish in this area. They are not harvested commercially. In October they start to run and then the mature ones head for the gulf. Once they go to the open water they never come back to the bays.

Fishing in blue water you can get lucky and catch them around 60" but large ones caught while bayfishing max out around 48 inches. At about 30" you would think that there is a mule pulling on the line.

Another popular contest category is for multiple tail spots. I caught one once with 18 total, 10 on one side and 8 on the other. That's the most I have ever actually seen personally, but I have seen pictures of fish with lots more than that.

Biggest I've ever caught was 42". This one was about 41" and my Father-in-law is holding his largest ever at 43"

In the business group twice-a-year fishing tournament that I attend, fish this size are easy winners of the category for largest red. Unfortunately I (obviously) lost to my Father-in-Law that year but I won the poker tournament so it was ok.

Also a big deal here is to "Grand Slam" which is to catch a red, a speckled trout, and a flounder in one day. I've only done it once.

Come to Texas and try it sometime!

Edward