Guys, good to be with you here. I’m a long time bass fisherman who now lives in the low country of SC (Hilton Head area) and brought my Ranger Intracoastal down to chase some reds, specks, cobia, and about anything else I can get in to.
Not done any red fishing before but have been reading up on it and have a handful of questions:
Do they seek cover primarily?
Do they pursue baits or does bait typically come to them?
Is a reaction bite normal (get in their strike zone and they’ll bite)?
Is fishing Oyster beds at low tide (bait fish hide out) and grass lines at high tide a decent strategy?
Which body of water in this area (Colleton River, May River, and surrounding marsh is favorable?
In a river environment do reds typically locate in the mouth, mid river, or in the back or is that a seasonal thing as it is with bass?
Fish location tips? Certainly sight fishing is a given but what about seasonal location generalities? Any advice so as to eliminate water and be more productive with the search?
Thanks guys for any input. Much appreciated.
Chuck D - Hilton Head, SC
Ranger z21 Intracoastal
Merc 250 ProXS
Power Pole Pro’s x2
Lowrance Gen2
Lots of scientific info in the beginning of the one on red drum, but good info on surf fishing techniques starts on page 22, and boat fishing on page 30.
This was helpful info for me when I started a couple years ago. Enough to get you started in the right direction. The rest will come with experience.
Thanks guys. Met with a local guide/tackle shop owner and he put me on a few things that I was overlooking and am hopeful to make the right adjustments. Did meet up with my first oyster rake last weekend… OUCH! Not too bad but the lower unit looks pretty rough, nothing a coat of primer and paint won’t fix though. The prop, well… Lucky I have a few of them. That one needs some help now. Much appreciate the info!
Chuck D - Hilton Head, SC
Ranger z21 Intracoastal
Merc 250 ProXS
Power Pole Pro’s x2
Lowrance Gen2
I’m a newbie as well. But already addicted. I caught my only red at Pitt St last week about an 2 hrs before low tide when the channel was narrow. Fished live mud minnows on a revised carolina rig…dropped the ounce weght and put a couple split shot on an 18" leader and cast to the center of the Channel. My buddy and I pulled in about 6 reds and 10 trout. One red was under and one was over. The one I caught was 27". All fish were caught within about an hr and 1/2 time period and ended about 30 mins before low tide. No luck since. I’ve been trying to figure out the tides for reds…this was mid morning and seemed like the schools were just rolling through the channel.