Redfish

Redfish Fishing in Florida

Redfish, or red drum, is the state's most widespread estuarine fish, according to FWC. FWC manages it by region: the slot is 18 to 27 inches wherever harvest is open, but the vessel limit changes by region, and the Indian River Lagoon is catch-and-release only.

Florida rules from FWC, checked Sep 2026

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Everything here was copied from FWC in Sep 2026 and is listed with its source at the bottom of this page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the current rule with your captain or with FWC before you keep a fish.

Florida state record

  • 52.31 lb Cocoa · February 24, 1996 · George E. Hogan, Jr.

From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

About the fish

SizeUp to 61 inches. Florida record 52 lb 5 oz
Where it livesCoastal waters. In winter: seagrass, muddy or sand bottoms, oyster bars and spring-fed creeks
What it eatsFish and invertebrates

FWC says redfish stay inshore until they reach roughly 30 inches, at about four years old.

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • The per-person limit is one fish a day everywhere harvest is open. What changes by region is the boat limit and, in the Indian River Lagoon, whether any fish may be kept.
  • Ask the captain which FWC region the trip fishes. FWC draws the region boundaries at landmarks such as roads, parks and county lines.

Panhandle: when you can keep one

Florida-Alabama border east to near Alligator Point. Does not include Ochlockonee Bay or the Ochlockonee River.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC regulation.
18 to 27 inchesSize limit
1 per personDaily limit. 4 fish per vessel. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Big Bend: when you can keep one

Near Alligator Point south to Fred Howard Park, near the Pasco and Pinellas county border. Includes Ochlockonee Bay and the Ochlockonee and Anclote rivers.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC regulation.
18 to 27 inchesSize limit
1 per personDaily limit. 4 fish per vessel. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Tampa Bay: when you can keep one

Fred Howard Park south to State Road 64 in Manatee County. Includes the Braden and Manatee rivers.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC regulation.
18 to 27 inchesSize limit
1 per personDaily limit. 2 fish per vessel. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Sarasota Bay: when you can keep one

State Road 64 south to near Venice Municipal Airport. Includes Palma Sola Bay.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC regulation.
18 to 27 inchesSize limit
1 per personDaily limit. 2 fish per vessel. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Charlotte Harbor: when you can keep one

Near Venice Municipal Airport south to near Vanderbilt Beach Road in Collier County.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC regulation.
18 to 27 inchesSize limit
1 per personDaily limit. 2 fish per vessel. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Southwest: when you can keep one

Near Vanderbilt Beach Road around the Florida Keys to the Monroe and Miami-Dade county line.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC regulation.
18 to 27 inchesSize limit
1 per personDaily limit. 2 fish per vessel. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Southeast: when you can keep one

Martin and Palm Beach county line south to the Miami-Dade and Monroe county line. Includes the Loxahatchee River.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC regulation.
18 to 27 inchesSize limit
1 per personDaily limit. 2 fish per vessel. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Indian River Lagoon: when you can keep one

Lytle Avenue in New Smyrna Beach south to the Martin and Palm Beach county line.

  • All anglersCatch and release onlyFWC rule for this region. Fishing is open, harvest is not.
No fish may be keptSize limit
Catch and release onlyDaily limit. FWC lists this region as catch and release only. You can fish for them; you cannot keep one.

Northeast: when you can keep one

Florida-Georgia border south to Lytle Avenue in New Smyrna Beach.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC regulation.
18 to 27 inchesSize limit
1 per personDaily limit. 4 fish per vessel. The captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Gear rules

Hook and line and cast nets only. Spearing, gigging, bowfishing and snatch hooking are prohibited, as are multiple hooks with live or dead natural bait. Fish must stay whole until landed ashore.

Questions about redfish

What size redfish can I keep in Florida?

Where harvest is open, FWC's slot is not less than 18 inches and not more than 27 inches total length.

How many can one boat keep?

One fish per person per day everywhere, with a boat limit of 4 fish in the Panhandle, Big Bend and Northeast regions and 2 fish in Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest and Southeast.

Can I keep a redfish in the Indian River Lagoon?

No. FWC lists that region as catch and release only.

Can the captain or mate keep one on a charter?

No. FWC prohibits a captain and crew bag limit on a for-hire trip.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, red drum regulations and FWC, red drum profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.