Definition

1. Noun:
   • A male salmon that has recently spawned. This fish often has a reddish color.
   • A large, edible marine fish found in coastal waters from Massachusetts to Mexico.
   • A type of North Atlantic rockfish.

Usage

• The word "redfish" is a common name used for several different species of fish, all typically having some reddish coloration. The specific meaning is determined by regional and fishing context.
• It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ).

Examples

• As a male salmon:
  • After spawning, the exhausted redfish drifted downstream.
  • Anglers can identify a redfish by its hooked jaw and dark coloration.
• As a marine food fish:
  • We caught several large redfish off the coast of Louisiana.
  • Grilled redfish is a popular dish in Gulf Coast restaurants.
• As a rockfish:
  • The redfish is a slow-growing species important to the North Atlantic fishery.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in commercial and recreational fishing contexts without further specification, relying on local knowledge.
• In scientific or precise contexts, the Latin species name is used to avoid ambiguity (e.g., for the Gulf coast fish).

Variants and Related Words

• Red drum: Another common name for the marine fish , especially when younger/smaller.
• Ocean perch: A name sometimes used for certain types of redfish/rockfish.
• Spawner: A general term for a fish that has recently spawned, which can include a (salmon).

Synonyms

• For the salmon: spawned salmon, kelt.
• For the marine fish: red drum, channel bass, spot-tail bass.
• For the rockfish: rosefish, Atlantic redfish.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• "To be as common as redfish": (Regional, Gulf Coast) Used to indicate something is very abundant. (e.g., )
• "Redfish on the half-shell": A specific culinary preparation where the fish is grilled skin-side down with scales on.

Noun

1. male salmon that has recently spawned
2. large edible fish found off coast of United States from Massachusetts to Mexico
3. North Atlantic rockfish