Redfish vs black drum
Redfish (red drum) have a copper body and at least one black spot near the base of the tail, with no barbels under the chin. Black drum have a taller, gray-to-black body, a row of short barbels under the chin, and young fish carry broad vertical bars instead of a tail spot.
Marks to check
- Tail spot: present on redfish (sometimes many); absent on black drum.
- Chin: smooth on redfish; barbels on black drum.
- Body shape: long and low on redfish; high-backed on black drum.
- Juvenile pattern: black drum under a few pounds show 4–5 dark vertical bars.
Slot limits make it matter
Redfish are managed under slot limits in every Gulf and South Atlantic state, and black drum often have their own slot. Calling one the other can put you on the wrong side of a rule.
Questions & answers
Do all redfish have a spot on the tail?
Nearly all have at least one; some have dozens. A missing spot is rare enough that you should check for chin barbels.
Sources for this entry
- NOAA Fisheries species directory: Federal profiles of marine and coastal species, with identification notes.
- FishBase: Scientific database of fish species, names, ranges and morphology.
Practical guidance is original editorial writing. App details come from the developer’s published descriptions, checked .
Continue this reading path
How the related websites connect
This reference is published alongside CatchVault. Species profiles live on the CatchVault website, and sister references cover fishing apps in general and fishing regulations.
Explore related references · CatchVault’s official websiteCite this entry
Best Fish Identifier App. “Redfish vs black drum.” Content reviewed .
https://bestfishidentifierapp.com/redfish-vs-black-drum/