The red drum is a large, reddish fish with at least one black spot at the base of the tail. (D.R. Robertson & J. Van Tassell/Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)
The red drum is a large, reddish fish with at least one black spot at the base of the tail. It visits the lower Chesapeake Bay from spring through autumn.
Appearance:
Silvery body with a reddish or copper tinge
Silvery-gray to white belly
One or more large, black spots at the base of the tail
Squared tail fin
Scales have a dark center, forming poorly defined lines on the body
Usually grows 20-30 inches, but can be as long as 5 feet and weigh as much as 90 pounds
Habitat:
Adults most often found near the shoreline
Schools near the water’s surface
Juveniles are common in the Bay’s shallows
Range:
Visits the Chesapeake Bay from May-November
Adults are most common near the mouth of the Bay during spring and autumn, when the coastal population migrates
Juveniles move up the Bay as far north as the Patuxent River
Feeding:
Preys upon smaller fish such as anchovies and menhaden, as well as crabs and shrimp
Juveniles eat zooplankton and small invertebrates
Voice:
Makes a drumming sound
Red Drum courtesy of Sciaenid Acoustics Research Team, East Carolina University
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
Spawns in late summer and autumn at night in coastal waters near the shore
Large females can produce two million eggs per season
After spawning, adults spend more time in the ocean and less time in the Bay
Young-of-the-year appear in the Bay in August-September and move into shallow, fresher waters
Males mature at 1-2 years old, while females mature at 3-4 years old
Can live for 35 years on average. The oldest recorded red drum was 62 years old.
Other Facts:
Also known as redfish or channel bass
A popular sport fish
A member of the drum family, which includes spot, weakfish, black drum, spotted seatrout and Atlantic croaker. All drums are able to make a loud drumming or croaking sound by vibrating their swim bladder using special muscles. Atlantic croakers are the loudest of the drums.
Some scientists believe the purpose of the spot(s) near the tail is to mimic an eye. This fools predators into attacking the wrong end of the fish and gives the red drum a chance to escape.
In 1984, a Virginia man caught the 59-inch, 94.2-pound world record red drum off the coast of North Carolina.
Sources and Additional Information:
Fishes of Chesapeake Bay by Edward O. Murdy, Ray S. Birdsong and John A. Musick
