The Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) inhabits the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. This species is a highly sought-after sport fish, popular from the surf zones of the Carolinas down to the expansive bays of Texas. Understanding what fuels these powerful fish requires looking at their diet, which undergoes significant changes as they mature. The Red Drum’s feeding habits are not static; they adapt their menu to their size, their immediate environment, and the seasonal availability of prey.
Diet of Juvenile Red Drum
The feeding habits of a Red Drum begin immediately after hatching. Larvae initially consume planktonic organisms, primarily microscopic copepods, which are abundant in the water column after the eggs drift into the estuarine nursery areas. Once the young fish reach a length of less than three inches, their diet shifts to slightly larger invertebrates.
Juvenile Red Drum, often called “puppy drum,” spend their first year or two in shallow, protected tidal creeks and marsh systems. Their prey consists mainly of small, bottom-dwelling crustaceans, such as mysid shrimp and tiny grass shrimp (Palaemonetes). They also consume small marine worms and other micro-invertebrates found burrowed in the muddy substrate.
As they grow, reaching about six to eight inches, their diet begins to diversify to include small juvenile fish, such as spot and minnows. This shift marks the beginning of their transition from a purely invertebrate-focused diet to one that incorporates small vertebrates, preparing them for the predatory lifestyle of a mature Red Drum.
Primary Food Sources for Mature Red Drum
The diet of an adolescent and mature Red Drum, including the large “bull reds,” represents a significant step up in the size and complexity of their meals. Once they leave the confines of the shallow nursery creeks, their menu becomes dominated by larger macrocrustaceans and substantial baitfish. The Red Drum is an opportunistic and aggressive feeder, capable of consuming a wide variety of organisms found on the bottom or in the water column.
Crustaceans remain a major food source, with blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) being a favored item, often making up a significant portion of their diet. They also consume fiddler crabs and penaeid shrimp, such as white shrimp and brown shrimp. Their powerful pharyngeal teeth act like crushers to break open hard shells. The inferior placement of the Red Drum’s mouth is an adaptation for vacuuming prey directly from the seafloor.
Fish become increasingly important as the Red Drum matures, especially during spring and summer months when certain species are migrating or highly abundant. They frequently prey on schooling fish like the Atlantic and Gulf menhaden, which are rich in oils and calories. Other common fish on their menu include:
- Mullet.
- Pinfish.
- Croaker.
- Spot.
These species are often found foraging in the same estuarine and nearshore habitats.
How Location and Season Influence Red Drum Feeding
The Red Drum’s feeding activity and preferred prey are highly sensitive to dynamic environmental factors, including water temperature, tides, and local habitat. As cold-blooded organisms, their metabolism slows significantly when water temperatures drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This causes them to seek deeper, warmer channels and reduce their feeding frequency during the winter months. Conversely, warmer summer and fall conditions trigger a period of intense feeding to build up energy reserves.
Tidal movement is a primary driver of daily foraging behavior, acting as a conveyor belt that determines prey availability. During a rising or incoming tide, Red Drum follow the water into shallow grass flats and over oyster reefs to root for fiddler crabs and shrimp that become accessible. This shallow-water foraging is often characterized by “tailing,” where the fish’s tail breaks the surface as its head is down in the mud or grass searching for food.
When the tide recedes, the fish are often forced out of the shallows and concentrate in channels, near oyster bars, or along drop-offs, where they feed on flushed-out baitfish and crustaceans. The Red Drum uses its highly developed lateral line system to detect the minute pressure changes and vibrations caused by the movement of prey in the often turbid coastal waters. The specific habitat also dictates the meal; fish feeding near jetties and surf zones may consume more baitfish like mullet, while those in muddy estuaries will focus more heavily on crabs and shrimp.