The Redfish Book, by Frank Sargeant

The Redfish Book, by Frank Sargeant caught my eye several years ago on a bookstore shelf. I bought a copy and began to skim over it that night. I quickly realized that although there was a chapter devoted to fly fishing for reds, The Redfish Book had far more information geared to anglers using conventional tackle. I also noticed that the book was published nearly 2 decades ago, so some of the tackle and the photos were a bit dated. But as worked my way through the book, I liked what I read. And I liked the fact the photos, techniques and tackle were representative of the time the book was written- when the redfish stocks were benefiting from conservation efforts and recovering from years of uncontrolled harvest.

The Redfish Book covers conservation, redfish biology, tackle, and angling strategies. Each chapter contains solid information that anglers, especially newcomers, will find entertaining and useful. As much as an informative guide though, The Redfish Book struck me as a snapshot in time. I really like this about it because it shows how the actions of concerned anglers and conservation groups made a significant contribution to securing the future of a fishery. And it reminded me that not too long ago, things were very different than they are today.

The Redfish Book
By Frank Sargeant
149 pp. Larsen's Outdoor Publishing
ISBN: 0-936513-12-8