What are the best methods to catch red drum fish?

/ Carolina Beach Fishing 101 / By

Introduction

If you’re an angler, then there’s a good chance that you’ve heard of red drum fish. These saltwater fish are one of the most popular species to catch along the Atlantic coast, and they live in abundance off this coastline as well as in other areas around the world. Red drum are known for their tasty meat and feisty behavior; however, catching these fish can be challenging at times.

Be sure to check your local regulations before fishing for red drum.

It is important to understand the local regulations before fishing for red drum. Red drum are a protected species in some areas, and they may be off-limits at certain times of year or during spawning season. In addition, many states have limits on the number of fish you can keep at one time. Be sure to check with your local Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or Fish and Wildlife Service office before heading out onto the water.

Through the years, anglers have found several effective methods for catching red drum in the surf, including fishing from the beach, from a pier, or from a boat.

Each method has its pros and cons as well as its own challenges. In general, fishing from a pier or jetty is not recommended due to their often limited space. Fishing from flat surfaces like piers also makes it difficult to see what’s happening below you or even behind you when casting. If you have access to live bait, however, there are few better places than atop one of these structures! And if you’re going to fish from a boat then having easy access to live bait is key—especially in colder weather where dead baits aren’t always reliable sources of food for hungry red drum.

The best bait for catching red drum is live shrimp when fishing from the shore. Live shrimp are easy to obtain, easy to rig and use and they will catch you more fish than any other bait you can use.

Artificial baits are effective but they’re not as effective as live baits because they don’t have a natural “wiggle” that attracts red drum. Additionally, artificial baits are more difficult to use since you have to rig them up properly in order for them work effectively at catching fish. They’re also not ideal for beginners because it’s hard for them to rig up their own artificial lures properly without getting frustrated or wasting time trying different things until they get it right (which takes valuable time away from actually fishing).

Live shrimp

If you’re fishing from a boat and have access to live bait, use either live shrimp or live finger mullet if possible.

Live shrimp are the most popular choice for catching red drum. They can be purchased at bait stores or caught yourself (though I’d recommend getting them already alive). Shrimp are easy to catch because they breathe through their gills and need access to oxygen in order to survive. To catch these creatures, simply drop a net into shallow water near shore where they might be found. Try not to get too close as this will scare your prey away before you can grab them with the net! Once you’ve captured some shrimp, keep them alive until it’s time for fishing by placing them in an aerated container with seawater or fresh water that flows freely into it (you may have seen similar devices used for keeping aquarium fish healthy).

Other baits that work well include bloodworms (available at most pet stores), squid strips (also available at pet stores), crabs (alive or dead) and cut bait such as cut mullet or cut eels; clams also work well but may be difficult for beginners due to their softness when compared with hard-shelled crabs which are easier on hooks/lines etc…

Live shrimp are easiest to obtain and have worked well in my experience.

If you want to catch red drum fish, live shrimp are the most effective bait. Live shrimp are inexpensive and easily obtainable. They are also more nutritious than other bait types. In addition, they do not dry out or spoil as quickly as dead shrimp can, so they last longer in storage if you don’t plan on using them immediately after purchasing them.

If you happen to be traveling by plane or car and need to bring your bait with you, consider using dead shrimp instead of live ones since they will last longer without spoiling in transit. Dead bait is also easier and cheaper than getting fresh live shrimp at every destination along your journey—especially if flying!

Try using dead shrimp if you can’t get fresh ones.

If you can’t get fresh shrimp, dead ones will work. The problem with dead shrimp is that they don’t smell as good to the fish and they won’t move around like a live one would. You may want to bring a few different types of bait if this is your only option, because the fish might get more interested in one than another. Again, I’ve had good results using live shrimp (which are easiest to obtain) but if you’re fishing in an area where they’re not readily available or don’t have time to go looking for them in person then try using frozen or dried shrimp instead.

The best way to catch red drum is with live bait—but if that’s not possible then try using other types of bait such as worms and small fish (if you’re fishing from shore). Sometimes it helps hold onto your line when putting it into water so that nothing gets tangled up around any rocks nearby!

It’s important not only what type of bait fish prefer but also how long before its expiration date has passed…

Other baits that work well are bloodworms, squid strips, and crabs (alive or dead).

Before you embark on your fishing adventure, it’s important to check local regulations before fishing. The species and size of the red drum you’re targeting should also be taken into account because this will affect what bait you use. For example: If you’re fishing from a boat with live shrimp available as bait then by all means use them! But if not, don’t forget about cut bait or other options such as bloodworms, squid strips and even dead shrimp.

If you’re fishing from shore then once again it’s essential to know what species and size of fish you’re after before making any decisions about which type of bait will work best for your situation.

Use cut bait if you’re unable to procure any of the preferred baits mentioned above.

Cut fish and cut eels work well as do clams and menhaden.

If you’re unable to procure any of the preferred baits mentioned above, cut bait can be an effective alternative. While not as effective as live shrimp, cut fish and cut eels work well as do clams and menhaden. Cut bait can be used in a variety of ways to catch red drum fish. The most common way is to use whole shad or anchovies on a hook with a weight attached so that it drifts down slowly into deeper waters. If you want more action from your rig, tie on two hooks with split shot weights below them so they fall faster through the water column. This will help keep the bait off of the bottom where there are fewer predators lurking about waiting for something tasty like this!

Always use the best bait possible especially when fishing from a boat. You’ll greatly increase your chances of hooking up with a good-sized red drum.

When fishing from a boat, use fresh bait. For example, if you’re using shrimp on your hook, try using freshly caught shrimp. If not, buy fresh ones from the store or fish market.

If you’re fishing from the beach or pier and want to use live shrimp for bait, check around for good spots where you can find them in abundance (such as near piers). Once you’ve found some good-sized red drum biting spots, set up shop with your rod and reel ready to go! If there’s no water nearby then bring along some pre-bagged shrimps so they’ll stay alive while they wait their turn on hook! Stick with bright colors like hot pink or orange since those are known attractors when dealing with this particular species of fish; however keep in mind that different colors may work better depending on what kind of bait is being used so don’t take my word for it – experiment!

Remember: Always use the best bait possible especially when fishing from a boat because sometimes these creatures can get pretty cranky! As long as someone hasn’t been feeding them too much junk food lately then we should be able to reel them all back safely without getting tangled up too much… hopefully anyway.”

Conclusion

The best bait for catching red drum is live shrimp when fishing from the shore. If you’re fishing from a boat and have access to live bait, use either live shrimp or live finger mullet if possible. Live shrimp are easiest to obtain and have worked well in my experience

Mark Mayo
Latest posts by Mark Mayo (see all)

Pin It on Pinterest