Last weekend I was fishing the jetties at Port Aransas and watched the guy next to me haul in a 44 inch long fish.
The fish had the color of a redfish but did not have the spot on the tail. Also, it seemed a little taller and shorter that the typical redfish more in the shape of a drum instead of the torpedo shape of a red. Everyone assumed it was a red and released it.

What was it ?

Thanks,
“Tank.”

Without a pic, don't think we can be for sure, but I have caught reds without the spot. I have caught everything from no spots to one spot (only on one side) to up to 12 spots. The 12 spot was in a tourny and they had a prize for the most spots, and I lost by 1.

I also don't know of a fish that looks like a red that will get that big.

Tank,

That was most likley a big ugly (black bull drum). I was fishing in galveston last weekend and saw several caught off the pier I was fishing off of. I caught one myself. They all were a kind of bronze/ orange color and the shape you describe. I had not seen them in this color before, but was told by the pier staff that it was a black drum.

Remember that if it was a drum they also have a slot limit, 14-30 in

Black Drum have chin barbels (feelers). Red Drum or Redfish do not have them.

Sounds like it might have been a big black drum! I have caught a few big ones that size, but not any that are the color of a redfish?

During this time of year ( spawning ) black drum can have a gold-
bronze color.
Ox Eye is correct about the barbels , surefire way to tell
the difference.

Mo

Most likely it was black drum for the reasons mentioned above. Either way, releasing it was a good move, because big drum that size are like eating cardboard, IMO. Cudos to those involved in the release.

I bet money it was a black drum. We used to get them that looked real golden during the spawn too. They spawn for a few more weeks usually. If you find one, there are usually a lot there if it is a deep hole. We used to catch 50,60,70 pounders over by POC when I was a kid. At 12, they would about pull me out of the boat. Many is the time when my Dad had to grab my belt!