The redfish or red drum is a member of the drum family whose cousins include the spotted seatrout, black drum, and the Atlantic croaker. The Redfish makes a drumming sound by rubbing internal muscles against the inflated air bladder. This is part of the courtship ritual and is also repeated sometimes when the fish is caught.

The Latin name translated means "shady eye-like spot", due to the most noticable mark on the red drum, one large black spot on the upper part of the tail base. Having multiple spots is not uncommon (even up to 100 spots!)for this fish, but having no spots is extremely rare.
Popular tournaments are held each year with the fisherman catching the fish with the most spots winning a variety of prizes.
The color of red drum ranges from a deep blackish, coppery color to almost silver in some waters. The most common color is reddish-bronze.

The Redfish is a pretty fast growing fish reaching about 10-12 inches and one pound in its first year, 17-22 inches and 3 1/2 pounds in two years, and 22-24 inches and 6-8 pounds in three years. The all-tackle record redfish was over 80 pounds and was caught on the east coast of the United States.

Redfish reach maturity between their third and fourth years when they are about thirty inches long. On the Florida flats and near the inlets spawning occurs about from mid-August through mid-October.
On the Gulf side and near the mouths of passes, (around the big bays) spawning occurs about from late July through mid-October.
Eggs hatch within 1 day or so and are carried into the bays by incoming tides. The larval red drum seek quiet, shallow water with grassy or muddy bottoms, mangrove roots, and backcountry habitat. A female will usually lay 500,000 eggs or so.

For the first three years of their lives red drum live in the bays, the backcountry flats, or in the surf zone near passes and inlets. They remain in the same area and generally move less than 3 miles for their first few seasons. As they become adults, they move from the bays to the ocean or the Gulf of Mexico where they remain the rest of their lives, except for occasional forays into the bays.
Although there is little evidence of seasonal migrations, anglers find concentrations of red drum in rivers and tidal creeks during the winter.

Young redfish feed mainly on smaller shrimp, crabs, and marine worms. As they grow bigger, they feed on small fish, larger crabs, and shrimp. They generally are bottom feeders and as such are usually looking downward, but will feed on swimming food when the right circumstance occurs. A behavior called "tailing" happens when the redfish feed in shallow water with their head down near the bottom and the tail above the surface.

Red drums prefer shallow water 1-4 feet deep and Florida's inshore flats are just about perfect habitat. They are sometimes found in water so shallow that their dorsal fins are exposed while swimming.

They are found over all bottom types but they seem to prefer areas with submerged vegetation and sand spots. These fish are also commonly found around oyster bars.
Differences in structure along shorelines such as creek points, jetties, and old pier pilings attract them.

Poling the shallow grass flats for redfish is a real challenge for most anglers. A weedless spoon is used in areas of heavy submerged or floating vegetation.

Flyfishing for redfish is gaining in popularity, with fishermen fly casting small popping plugs, baitfish type streamers or shrimp and crab imitation flies to "tailing" or cruising redfish. Captain Ray can guide you on a flyfishing trip. (for experienced fly fishermen)

Spinning rods and Reels are the preferred choice of Captain Ray Van Horn, and he has long been a field tester for many top tackle copmanies. Ray is currently sponsored by Ranger Boats, Evinrude Outboards, Minn Kota, Carolina Lunker Sauce, Power Pole, Bob's Machine Shop, Humminbird, Daiwa, Strike King, Tru-Tungsten, Capt. Mike's, and Sufix. All the Daiwa reels Captain Ray uses have a very good drag system.

You will fish the west coast near Tampa Bay, Florida. Many types of birds and wildlife abound in the area from Homosassa to Tarpon Springs, even though it is only a few minutes north of St. Petersburg-Clearwater. Redfish to 30 pounds or more are often caught there on light line, and Snook, Tarpon and Speckled Trout are also common.

Captain Ray is a regular competitor on the O-Boy Oberto ESPN Redfish Cup circuit, consistently finishing in the top few spots on this prestigous Pro series.