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Red drum fishing gear on the Fishbrain Shop

Red Drum, or more commonly reds, can range from a couple pounds to well over 30 pounds. Pups are typically found in shore while the larger bulls will be offshore for all but one part of the year. Your gear should be tailored to whether you are fishing for smaller inshore reds, or the larger bulls offshore. The methods will be similar however the size and strength of your gear will vary greatly due to the enormous difference in a pup and a bull red. Predominantly live, cut, or dead bait is used on a circle hook with weights to entice the reds into biting. When fishing inshore, lighter tackle like a medium rod and reel with 200 yards of 10 pound monofilament will be fine for pups but understand that other fish inhabit these areas that may be able to cut your line, so be ready to have a heavier leader incase the toothy critters are around. Fishing for reds doesn’t need to be complicated and the most common rig is a freeline setup which is essentially just a hook on the end of your line with bait. Live or dead bait can include crabs, mullet, other baitfish, peeled shrimp, and if not free lining, are often fished using a slip feed setup up with a 24-36 inch leader. Focus your bait around oyster beds, grass lines, and structure. While they can be very fast, a red will typically not travel long distances to pursue prey. A popping cork setup will also achieve success by suspending the bait in the water column while the popping cork makes sounds and vibrations, drawing in the reds.&nbsp;If you want to go the artificial route, red jig heads with white grubs and pink tails are extremely effective as are gold and silver spoons. Generic crank baits and swimbaits mimicking the bait fish of your location is always a good choice. Spoons cast and retrieved or trolled at 1-2 knots in some cases are the primary go to method for catching reds. If you’re going offshore for the big boys bump up that reel and rod size, increase your line strength to around 30 pounds and get those big 5/0 -8/0 circle hooks out.

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