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Redfish (Red Drum) around Galveston

Galveston, Texas is a prime location for Redfish fishing and is a popular destination for both novice and experienced anglers. The local waters provide an ideal habitat for Redfish, with a mix of shallow flats, deep channels, and grassy marshes. With the right techniques and information, you can catch Redfish year-round. Read on to increase your chances of a successful catch.

Red Drum artwork

Galveston Redfish

Galveston, Texas is a great location for Redfish fishing. The waters around Galveston are teeming with Redfish, and their movement is fairly predictable if you pay attention to water temperature. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a novice, you'll enjoy catching Reds around Galveston. The key to success is understanding their behavior, keeping an eye on water temperature, and knowing where to find them.

Sensitivity to Temperature

Redfish are particularly sensitive to changes in water temperature. This sensitivity is a survival mechanism that allows them to adapt to their environment and ensure their survival. They are most comfortable and thrive in waters with temperatures ranging from 70° to 90°F. Within this optimal temperature range, Redfish are most active and exhibit optimal feeding behaviors. Outside this range, they may experience stress or discomfort, which can affect their health and behavior.

Feasting Patterns

Come spring, as water temperatures rise above 70°F, Redfish turn into active breeders and exhibit heightened feeding aggression. Their appetite is insatiable, and they are frequently spotted in shallow ponds and along coastlines. They have a penchant for crustaceans and small fish, which they hunt in shallow flats and grassy beds.

Patterns of Movement and Grouping

Redfish are known for their schooling behavior especially in waters with temperatures below 69°F. However, as the water temperature rises above this threshold, they begin to disperse. This is a survival strategy that helps them avoid predators and find more food resources. But this behavior can also make them more elusive to anglers. As the water temperature continues to rise, Redfish start their journey towards warmer habitats. They often move to marshes or shallower waters. These environments offer abundant food sources and are warmer due to their shallowness. This migration is crucial for their survival as it allows them to thrive in conditions that are most suitable for their growth and reproduction.

Red Drum lure

In the Fall

"Every place where redfish prowl, when autumn temperatures push water temperatures down to the mid- to low 70s, redfish push off the flats where they’d spent warmer days to find deeper, protected water, often adjacent to river and creek mouths, channels, deep cuts and points."

SaltwaterSportsman.com

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