Catching a trophy grade red drum is a dream that some saltwater anglers never achieve. A big, bull redfish can be difficult to find, hook, and land; however, they all begin their lives as the same thing: a puppy drum. But don’t let their nickname fool you. No matter their size, redfish offer anglers an aggressive battle, which has made them one of the most popular saltwater gamefish from Massachusetts down through the Gulf of Mexico.

Puppies

Since fully grown bulls can tip the scales at over 50 pounds, it is no surprise that juvenile red drum are often referred to as ‘puppies.’ Puppy drum tend to inhabit the shallows closer to shore, particularly near inlets and passes where moving currents intersect. Moreover, they love hanging out around structures such as sandbars, oyster shoals, or the pilings around docks, piers, or wharfs. They can also be found in the surf along ocean-facing beaches.

Tackle

All drum are adept scavengers that comb the bottom for small crabs, shrimp, sandworms, and baitfish, which make up a majority of their normal diet. Consequently, bait fishing for drum of any size requires tackle heavy enough to accommodate a sinker of several ounces, in addition to the baited rig. A medium action rod with sufficient backbone, matched with a quality spinning reel spooled with 10- to 20-pound test-braided line and a 15” to 20” fluorocarbon leader is an excellent tackle combination to get the job done.

Bait

While fresh, natural baits will usually be the best offerings to grab the attention of a puppy drum, they are often attracted to well-presented soft plastic baits that mimic their favorite prey. The shrimp lures made by manufacturers like Vudu and DOA can be particularly effective; additionally, some of the newer GULP! bio-baits like their Shrimp or Peeler Crab are worthwhile. Besides soft artificial baits, puppy drum will also readily attack topwater plugs and diving stick baits such as Rapala’s and YoZuri lures.

Deeper Water

A majority of anglers will fish for puppy drum onshore; however, if you have the good fortune of having a boat, always anchor in deeper water adjacent to a shallow sandbar or oyster shoal. Make your casts over the structure and immediately retrieve the bait back over deeper water, all the way to the boat. Always be aware that the tide changes quickly in the flats, so it is essential to monitor the water level as you fish.

The most productive time to target puppy drum is from the beginning of spring through fall. Fishing for them in the surf from an ocean-facing beach is a lot more straightforward than the finesse style approach necessary when targeting them in shallow flats or estuaries. Look for areas on the beach where the water comes up highest after a breaking wave; this usually indicates a hole or depression where puppy drum may congregate.

Drum of all sizes prefer to feed in the choppy water just inside the breakers. When they enter a feeding frenzy, puppy drum are particularly carefree during the melee, and they are likely to bite on just about anything that passes under their nose.

On Your Plate

When it comes to good eating, puppy drum undoubtedly have the advantage over the big bulls. The larger a red drum gets, the more its flesh tends to become tough and grainy. The fillets of fresh puppy drum weighing between 5 and 7 pounds are the best candidates for your favorite ‘blackened redfish’ recipe. However, it is crucial to never keep more than you can honestly use in order to preserve this resource for future generations.