Backcountry Key West Fishing Charters Catching Red Drum Fish

Red fish, also known as red drum, red bass or channel bass are a popular fish for Key West fishing charters that fish the backcountry and the flats of Key West. Red fish can be found in the estuaries and brackish rivers all along the Eastern coast of the United States from Maine all the way to Key West. They're found all around Key West, up through the Gulf of Mexico and as far as the Northern parts of Mexico. The larger fish will stay more out in the deeper channels and can even be found on the reefs.

Red fish are generally pretty small, weighing 8 to 10 lbs. but catching a 40 lb. red fish isn't uncommon. The largest red fish on record weighed in at 94 lbs. So as you can see, though they're generall pretty small, red fish, particularly around Key West can get pretty big.

Your best bet for catching red fish is the by taking advantage of the backcountry Key West fishing charters. As you might expect, you generally catch red fish in shallow water. You're generally going to look in the small channels among the mangrove trees. You'll want to try to fish in an outgoing tide when the fish are moving out into the channels and bays toward the ocean. To catch the bigger fish, stay out in the deeper channels. Look for places that show signs of bait. You're looking for minnows, fish jumping and for birds that are hunting for small fish and crustacians. Try to find oyster bars and estuaries that flow out of marshes. These are excellent places to find red fish. If you fish for 15 or 20 minutes in a spot and don't get a bite, move on and try somewhere else.

Red fish will bite on cut bait but they prefer live bait. Generally, live pinfish, shrimp, mud minnows, small mullet and menhaden shad make great bait for red fish. There are a number of lures and plugs that are pretty popular for catching red fish. You can usually use the same lures you would use to catch fresh water black bass. Try to use swimtails and grubs on jigs skimmed across or just under the surface. You want your bait or lure to stay a bit below the surface.

You can bottom fish for red fish also, using cut bait. Try using a side of a mullet, croaker or a full or half crab. Sometimes using cut bait instead of live bait works better. If you're not having any luck with live bait, try using cut bait.

For your tackle you want to stay pretty light. A light rod with a small reel should be fine for most applications. Use a 15 to 20 lb. test line and a 5/0 hook on a leader. The weight you use will depend on the current. Stronger current calls for more weight.

The easisest way to insure that you catch redfish is to hire a professional captain running one of the backwater Key West fishing charters. Be sure to let them know you'd like to catch some red fish or red drum fish. They can take you to the best spots without spending all day hunting for them and they can coach you on how to set up your tackle.