Spring
Warming water pushes redfish onto shallow flats and into marsh systems. Sight-fishing with gold spoons and soft plastics over grass flats is spectacular. Target oyster bars, marsh drains, and sand potholes on incoming tides.
Summer
Redfish activity peaks in early morning and late evening as water heats up. Focus on deeper channels, oyster reefs, and shaded areas during hot midday periods. Live shrimp under a popping cork and topwater plugs at dawn produce consistent action.
Fall
The famous "bull red" run occurs September-November along Gulf Coast beaches and passes. Schools of 30-50 lb redfish push through passes and along beaches. Surf fishing and kayak fishing for bulls is a bucket-list experience. Slot reds remain active in backwater marshes.
Winter
Redfish concentrate in deeper holes and channels during cold snaps but remain active. Target sun-warmed shallow flats on mild afternoons. Slow-presented soft plastics, cut mullet, and live shrimp produce fish when patience is applied.
Best Techniques for Redfish (Red Drum) in Louisiana
- Sight-Fishing Flats The pinnacle of redfish angling. Wade or pole a skiff across shallow grass flats, spotting tailing or cruising redfish. Cast a gold spoon, soft plastic, or fly 2-3 feet in front of the fish and let it sink. When the fish turns on the bait, strip-strike. Polarized glasses are essential.
- Popping Cork Rig live shrimp or a soft plastic under a popping cork and work it over oyster bars, grass edges, and channel drops. Pop the cork with sharp rod snaps to create noise that attracts redfish. When the cork goes under, count to three then set the hook.
- Gold Spoon A weedless gold spoon (Johnson Silver Minnow style) is the iconic redfish lure. Cast over grass flats, along marsh edges, and into potholes. Retrieve with a steady wobble or stop-and-go cadence. The flash and vibration triggers aggressive strikes from feeding reds.
- Cut Bait Soaking For bull reds near passes and jetties, chunk fresh-cut mullet or menhaden on a fishfinder rig with a circle hook. Cast into deep channels, along jetty rocks, or off the beach. Let it soak and wait for the rod to load up. Circle hooks are mandatory in many areas.
Best Redfish (Red Drum) Spots in Louisiana
Frequently Asked Questions
Top redfish (red drum) spots in Louisiana include Marsh Island. These locations are known for consistent redfish (red drum) catches throughout the season.
The best time varies by season. Spring and fall typically offer the most active redfish (red drum) fishing in Louisiana, with early morning and late evening being prime feeding times.
You need a valid Louisiana fishing license. Some waters may require additional stamps or permits. Visit the Louisiana wildlife agency website for current requirements and fees.
Popular techniques include Sight-Fishing Flats, Popping Cork, Gold Spoon. Local conditions and season will determine the most effective approach.