Even though any strongly moving tide is generally favorable, inshore anglers in our state usually prefer the neap tides, rather than the full-moon tides. The extreme high tides that occur during a full or new moon generally flush a lot of muddy water into the sounds, making the fishing difficult. Relatively clear water is important for inshore success.

Redfish stalk baitfish far into the grassy marshes on an incoming tide. The tails of the reds can often be seen sticking out of the shallow water as they feed on the muddy bottom, a behavior referred to as "tailing." As the tide begins to fall, look for small creek mouths to which the redfish retreat, there to lie in dropoffs, waiting in ambush for baitfish to return to deeper water.

TACKLE
Redfish are opportunistic feeders. "If they see or smell it, they will in most cases try it," Capt. Evans asserted.

Live shrimp is the primary bait. At times when shrimp are less plentiful -- usually during their spawning season -- mud minnows, pogies (a.k.a. menhaden) and small finger mullet 2 1/2 inches in length are reliable substitutes. Artificial lures can work quite successfully as well, but you must have clear water for these to function properly. Evan's favorites are spoons, suspending crankbaits, soft plastics on jigheads, and topwater lures.

Capt. Evans favors medium-action spinning gear with rods that have a fast taper. Another option: a baitcaster using 50-pound-test braided line with 10- to 15-pound-test leader. The newer braided lines are extremely thin, but the heavier poundage makes it easier to cast the line. Also, the braided line floats, the better to maneuver the float and live shrimp over the sharp oyster beds.

Because red drum so often occupy shallow waters, they're a favorite target of fly-rodders. Since the seatrout and reds were cooperating on the day we were fishing, we decided to break out the fly rods -- and we weren't disappointed: The trout took to our Clousers readily.

Seven- to 9-weight fly rods of a length of at least 9 feet are optimal here. Even when you're out for trout and small puppy drum, the advantage conferred by a heavier rod is evident when you cast into a stiff wind, or throw a heavier fly such as a Clouser. The extra backbone the 8- or 9-weights provide is helpful in less-than-ideal saltwater conditions.

Orange-and-tan or orange-and-brown are favorite color combinations for Clouser Minnows; these most likely look like either shrimp or small crabs to the reds. The standby chartreuse-and-white Clouser can yield positive outcomes, too, and other shrimp and crab imitations can fool a fish or two.

Some local fly-casters like to put rattles in their flies, declaring it to be an advantageous move in our often-murky coastal waters. Gold Spoon Flies and Lefty's Deceivers are also worth a try. Weedguards are of help on the hooks, especially when you cast onto the grassy flats.

Being on a boat with a smooth and clean casting deck is important, because such a deck offers nothing for the fly line to tangle on. It'd also be a good idea to request that the captain remove any rods from the upright holders and lay them on the bottom of the boat; no captain likes to have his personal rods "clipped" by a wayward fly line. (I speak from experience on this!)

Of course a trolling motor is necessary for easing along the banks quietly. Capt. Evans was quite adept at keeping us within fly-rod-casting range of the target areas, which can be a challenge in coastal winds.

WRAPPING IT UP
Red drum can be chased at any time of the year in most conditions on the Peach State coast. Clear water is a basic need, but other tide and temperature situations can all be overcome just by learning the patterns of the red drum in particular areas under various conditions. If it's not practical to invest the time required to master those, we're fortunate in having the option to call on experts like Capt. Mike Evans and Capt. John King, for whom fishing along the slice of salt water that is Georgia's is less a job than a way of life.