| Description: |
chin
without barbels; copper bronze body, lighter shade in
clear waters; one to many spots at base of tail (rarely
no spots); mouth horizontal and openng downward; scales
large. |
| |
|
| Similar
Fish: |
black
drum, Pogonias cromis. |
| |
|
| Where
found: |
juveniles
are an INSHORE fish, migrating out of the estuaries at
about 30 inches (4 years) and joining the spawning population
OFFSHORE. |
| |
|
| Size: |
one
of 27 inches weighs about 8 pounds. |
| |
|
| Florida
Record*: |
51
lbs., 8 ozs. |
| |
|
| Remarks: |
red
drum are an INSHORE species until they attain roughly
30 inches (4 years), then they migrate to join the NEARSHORE
population; spawning occurs from August to November in
NEARSHORE waters; sudden cold snaps may kill red drum
in shallow, INSHORE waters; feeds on crustaceans, fish
and mollusks; longevity to 20 years or more. |
*
The Florida records quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission's printed publication. The records
are provided as only as a benchmark. |
