Lower Western Shore Red Drum

Type: Chesapeake
Region: Southern
Location: Lower Western Chesapeake Bay

Let’s talk Lower Western Shore slot red drum. In MD, currently, recreationally caught red drum must be at least 18 inches but no more than 27 inches to keep, and anglers are permitted 1 fish/person/day. I started catching redfish as early as May, they will stay around til mid November when they start to move out. As of today I’ve caught 122 redfish. Most at the lowers end of the slot or just under. The balance in the 23-25” range, some larger fish too. Catching at various locations, but with a typical pattern. This fish likes to hunt in areas with grass bottom, 2’ to 8’ water depth typically, moving tides and in schools moving along shoreline. Casting popping corks, 4-5” paddle tails on 3/8oz jig heads and 5” Gulp Jerk Shad will normally produce fish. I carry a rod rigged with each bait. I do carry a topwater spook bait too. But will only throw it early morning. Places to catch, creek’s feeding into the Paxtuxent and Potomac rivers. A few areas, Mill Creek, Cuckold Creek, St Mary’s River, St George’s Island, areas out of Piney Point, Point Lookout, Smith Creek, St Jerome’s Creek. Don’t discount “fishy” looking areas, this fish is a pack animal, taking advantage of its ability to hunt in shallow water and pushing bait to structures and shoreline.