First off, I have been an avid bass fisherman for about eighteen years and have never found a fish I enjoy persuing as much as largemouth. I feel like I have had success over the years with my personal best being 10.5#s. Saturday, I went down to lake Fairfield to try the warm water winter fishing and to scout the park for a future camping trip. I caught three bass, two dinks and one about three pounds. Around noon, I was throwing a deep crank of a creek channel and hooked into a giant red drum. This was the best fight I've ever experienced. The first two times I got it close to the boat, it simply turned and stripped off 40-50 yards of line. I was using 50# braid and had the drag set about 20#s. I fought this fish for 25 minutes for finally landing it. I fish out of an eleven foot kayak and needless to say, this fish drug me around quite a bit. I measured her length at 35 inches and with the cheap spring scales I have, measured her wieght between 28 and 30 pounds. Being that I grew up bass fishing, I decide to release the fish to help the future of the fishery. I am kicking myself now that I have found out that redfish dont reproduce in freshwater and that they are a highly prized eating fish. Stupid me. Anyway, I want some more of that action and am looking for info on catching Redfish. How do you find them, what lures, live bait, where are they stocked? I live in north Fort Worth and the 2 1/2 hour trip to Faifield is not practical for me very often. Tradinghouse Creek is a little closer, is it as good for redfish? Any info would be greatly appriated. Before you ask, yes I took pictures and am waiting to get developt. I had the disposable camera in my tackle box for about three years, so I'll be surprised if I get a good pick to post though.

Yeah, Red Drum are GREAT fighters. For other fish that fight like that, look into Hybrids, Stripers, and Carp. Though this time of year carp won't strip as much drag when the water's real cold as they will when they are nice and warm hehe.

Afraid I can't help you as I have yet to get seriously into Red fishing, though I should would like too.

Congrats on the fish, and looking forward to the pictures!

Post it in the saltwater forum they will be able to help you a lot more. I moved to Richmond south west of Houston and have made a few trips to the coast. I am using live shrimp and on the right day they tear them up.

Reds almost runed me on Bass. A Bass is a kindergarten fish compared to a red imho.

But, I live too far north of the salt marshes to go more than once or twice a year. In the mean time, the green fish do just fine!

Glad you had a good trip.

To answer some of your questions, the saltwater marshes are Great in june and july on the gulf and a cochaho minnow is the way to go or a Red Fish bait called a Spot Remover.

Good Luck.

When we go to Grande Isle LA, we use cut bait, Mullet or piggy perch on a 10/0 circle hook. We have never caught one smaller than 20# and most are 28-32#. We use 12' surf rods with big Penn reels with about a 3 oz weight. I know what you are talking about on the fight, that's why I drive that far once a year.

I grew up bass fishing. After my first trip to the coast in 1994 I was ruined. Quit chasing bass almost entirely. The occasional private lake trip is all I do now. It's either Rockport for reds and trout or hybrids at Belton. Can't beat that pull.

I hear they aren't very good eating once they reach about 30". Never caught one that big to check it out though.

You're on the right track with the big cranks from what I read on here about Fairfield, Tradinghouse, Braunig, and Calaveras.

Welcome to the club.

G

Thanks for the help guys, I'm going to Tradinghouse Creek lake this weekend and will let yall know how I did. I'll probably try bass fishing in the morning and try to target the Reds in the afternoon.