Louisiana Bull Redfish
Bull Red Fish are a hard fightin’ catch
Red Drum, or Sciaenops Ocellatus in Latin, are commonly referred to as Red Fish. Bull Red Fish are simply large Red Drum. Louisiana’s Biloxi Marsh waters are abundant with these armor-scaled fish. According to Swollfest.com, “bull” is a nomer given to a mature Red Fish that has grown to 27 inches in length, or more – once a Red Fish grows to 27 inches, it’s a Bull Red Fish.
In Louisiana, you may only harvest one Bull Red Fish from state waters, these lengthy Red Drum are protected by the local wildlife commission. Moreover, it’s not lawful to harvest Red Fish from federal waters. Be sure to measure all fish reeled-in to avoid fines.
Red Fish pups may be adorable, but the adults are cunning and aggressive. According to Sportsfishingmag.com, adult and juvenile Red Fish are so dissimilar they should be treated as separate species. Adult Red Fish shed their adolescent spots and stack on tough scales. Adult Red Fish’s scales are impenetrable, so much so, an angler referred to the scales as “armor.” Moreover, adult Red Fish utilize their size and the current to pray on smaller fish, Red Fish are carnivores and will eat anything they can catch. Adult Red Fish are ornery and aggressive, it’s even said that these fish “fight dirty.” At maturity, their meat becomes tough to match their aggressive demeanor. These fish are known to struggle on the line and put up a fight.
There aren’t Bull Red Fish hatcheries, in fact, these fish are a mystery to Marine Biologist. According to Lafishblog.com, there’s a great deal about Red Fish we don’t know. Anglers have taken to tagging Red Fish and recording their size. This isn’t the first time anglers have become advocates for a species of fish. Upon recapture, growth and location is noted. Biologist know the migratory patterns and growth rate of Bass, but Red Fish remain somewhat of a mystery. If more were know about these fish their population could be inflated and encounters with Bull Red Fish would increase.
Search Louisiana’s Biloxi Marsh waters to reel-in a Bull Red Fish. These fish put up a fight, but it’s worth the effort. When landing a Bull Red Fish from Louisiana’s waters, make sure to support their belly to prevent their organs from shifting for a safe release.
