The red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as redfish, channel bass, puppy drum, spottail bass, or simply red, is a game fish found in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to northern Mexico. It is the only species in the genus Sciaenops.

Red drum are one of the most sought-after game fish in the United States. With an estimated economic value of over $2 billion annually and a record-breaking catch weighing in at over 94 pounds, it’s no wonder that red drum is a favorite for many anglers.

The red drum is related to the black drum (Pogonias cromis), and the two species are often found near to each other; they can interbreed and form a robust hybrid, and younger fish are often indistinguishable in flavor. The red fish is one of the more reliable year rounds species we can target on fly and light tackle which makes them a very important fish to preserve.