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Fish profile · Sciaenidae
Red drum
Sciaenops ocellatus
Red drum, or redfish, is a copper-coloured coastal fish best recognised by dark spots near the tail. Young fish use inshore waters before joining nearshore populations as they grow. Spawning adults make drumming sounds using muscles associated with their swim bladder.
Last reviewed 26 October 2026 · 5 sources
- Max length
- 154.9 cm
- IUCN
- LC
- Least Concern
- Family
- Sciaenidae
- order Perciformes
Category from the IUCN Red List, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0); it may lag the latest Red List assessment.
How big?
Linear scale · person 170 cm
Up to 154.9 cm.
How to identify
- Copper to bronze sides and a paler belly
- Usually one or more dark spots at the tail base
- No chin barbels
Habitat
Inshore and nearshore water, including seagrass, sand or mud bottoms and oyster bars.
- Diet
- Fish and invertebrates.
Catching it
- Season
- In the southern US, big fish are caught in the Gulf and off the beaches from about September to November.
- Baits and lures
- Cut mulletLive finger mullet
Eating
Florida wildlife authorities describe red drum as a valued table fish.
More photos
Sources
Last reviewed 26 October 2026