Florida Redfish Seasons and Regulations: A Comprehensive Guide

Florida is home to some exciting and diverse fishing opportunities, including the very popular Redfish. However, navigating the open and closed seasons for Redfish, along with season, size, and bag limits, can get a little complicated, even for experienced anglers.

Redfish are a true inshore classic in Florida. They are considered by many to be one of the best, if not the best, inshore gamefish thanks to their skillful fighting ability and large size.

In the following Florida Redfish Seasons and Regulations: A Comprehensive Guide, we’ll cover:

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Thanks to Fishbox App, a premium fishing and forecasting app, you will be able to access advanced technology and data that are carefully correlated with and collected from experts to give you the information you need before going fishing in Florida. This detailed information includes the best time to go fishing, weather forecasts, and local hotspots where other anglers have had successful Redfish trips in the past.

Redfish Size and Slot Limits in Florida

If you ask most experts and anglers, the management program implemented to protect the Redfish has been a success story. During the 1980s, it was identified that the current fisheries practices related to Redfish weren’t working, and stocks of this fish were at perilously low levels because of overfishing. Emergency closures were put in place to ease fishing pressure and allow stocks of Redfish to rebuild naturally.

In 1989, a slot limit was introduced for fish between 18 and 27 inches, along with a reduced bag limit of 1 fish per person per day and a closure from March to May. Since then, Redfish numbers have steadily increased and exceeded the goal of 40% escapement, put in place by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in almost all parts of Florida. The 40% escapement rate refers to Redfish that would have survived to age four if there had been no fishery management in place.

In 2022, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) implemented a review of the current management approach to Redfish and, like Snook and other species, focused on a more detailed region-based management plan. This new management approach incorporates six key metrics, relative abundance, escapement, harmful algal blooms, habitat, fishing effort, and stakeholder feedback and review.

Read also: Florida Snook Season: Everything You Need to Know

If you are unfamiliar with the term ‘slot’ in regard to fishery management, it is a regulation that defines the legal size of fish that can be harvested. Fish that are caught below or above the slot range must be released. The slot size is based on fish breeding behavior and spawning and gives fish the best chance of successfully reproducing while also allowing anglers the opportunity to catch a Redfish while still ensuring the ongoing health of the fishery.

Below, we have created a table that clearly defines the nine Redfish regions in Florida, along with the Redfish slot limit and bag limits.

Redfish Region	Redfish Slot Limit	Bag Limit
Panhandle	Between 18-27 Inches	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 4
Big Bend	Between 18-27 Inches	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 4
Tampa Bay	Between 18-27 Inches	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 2
Sarasota Bay	Between 18-27 Inches	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 2
Charlotte Harbor	Between 18-27 Inches	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 2
Southwest	Between 18-27 Inches	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 2
Southeast	Between 18-27 Inches	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 2
Indian River Lagoon	Catch & Release Only	N/A
Northeast	Between 18-27 Inches	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 4

Florida Redfish Bag Limits

There’s no denying that the beautiful and warm state of Florida has a lot to offer enthusiastic anglers, and one of those fishing opportunities is for Redfish. It’s not always easy to find a fish that offers both excellent table fare and a challenge on rod and reel, but Redfish manages to do both.

With massive bulls that weigh over 50 lbs, tricky fights in shallow water around snags, and easy access to prime fishing spots, Florida Redfish is the whole package for anglers looking for a coastal challenge.

Redfish prefer nice shallow flats and long stretches of grassy shorelines, and luckily, there are lots of areas like this to be found all over Florida. They also have an annual migration, which makes them nice and close to shore, which makes targeting them for shore-based anglers a lot easier.

Except for a closure between March and May, the Redfish season is open all year, which maximizes fishing opportunities for anglers. The slot size limits for Redfish in all regions of Florida are between 18 and 27 inches, except for the Indian River Lagoon region, where it is catch-and-release fishing only.

Redfish Region	Bag Limit
Panhandle	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 4
Big Bend	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 4
Tampa Bay	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 2
Sarasota Bay	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 2
Charlotte Harbor	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 2
Southwest	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 2
Southeast	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 2
Indian River Lagoon	Catch & Release Only
Northeast	1 Fish Per Person / Boat Limit 4

Redfish in Florida are only allowed to be caught using rod and line, and the following Redfish regulations apply:

• Bag limits for Redfish also apply to areas that are adjacent to fishing locations such as parking lots and docks.
• There is a strict four-fish limit when transporting Redfish in a vehicle while traveling away from a fishing area.
• Redfish must remain in a whole condition when caught from a boat until they are landed ashore.
• Captain and crew on charter or for-hire fishing trips aren’t allowed to retain any Redfish.
• The commercial harvest of Redfish is strictly prohibited.

Redfish Seasons in Florida

Although you’ll find Redfish cruising coastal waters around Florida all year round, it doesn’t mean you can catch and keep any you come across. We’ll cover a little more about the Redfish open and closed season below. But for now, let’s jump straight into the best times and seasons to catch Redfish in Florida.

Almost every experienced Redfish angler you talk to will tell you that the peak Redfish season is late summer and fall. This is also when Redfish are spawning, and both males and females are at peak congregation levels. During late August and November, larger adult Redfish move from the shallows and out into the lagoons, bays, and inlets, where they’re hungry, aggressive, and looking for food to eat. Interestingly, during spawning, they often make a unique ‘drumming’ sound, which is where they got the name ‘Red Drum’ from, so keep your ears open, and you might just hear it for yourself.

If you don’t mind chasing after smaller Redfish, then heading out during winter and spring can be productive. You’ll want to stick close to shore and look for muddy bottoms, grass flats, and oyster beds. Sight casting for these juvenile Redfish can be a lot of fun, and because these fish are in shallow water, the visibility can be a lot better.

Redfish numbers fluctuate depending on the temperatures and their spawning season. Below, we have created two tables that will help you plan your next Redfish fishing trip.

Peak Redfish Season In Florida by Region

Florida Region	Peak Redfish Fishing Season
Gulf Coast	October
Southern Florida	August & September
Florida Keys	October
Central Florida	July – October

Peak Redfish In Florida by Season

Florida Season	Peak Redfish Opportunities
Spring	As the water starts to warm up in March, calmer waters and tailing conditions offer the best fishing opportunities.
Summer	August and September are the peak of spawn season, and Redfish are more active and aggressive. Try early morning and late afternoon.
Fall	During the month of October, when the water has cooled from its peak in Summer, Redfish are on the move, replenishing after the spawn.
Winter	Any warmer and sunnier than average days during winter will be your best opportunity to land a fish.

Read also: Florida Fishing Seasons: Your Comprehensive Guide

Penalties for Violating Redfish Regulations

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been working hard for almost 40 years to ensure that stocks of Redfish (Red Drum) don’t fall below safe levels so that future generations of anglers can enjoy catching these fun, feisty, and delicious fish for themselves. The last thing that any true angler wants to see is a fish stock decline to the point that it’s either threatened or the fishery is closed to angling altogether.

As part of their management of Redfish, the FWC has set in place strict season, slot size, and bag limits, including personal limits and boat limits. These regulations are subject to change depending on data and environmental concerns, so please ensure that you regularly check the FWC Redfish page for any updates.

If you’re considering going fishing for Redfish in Florida, you’ll need a saltwater fishing license. You can purchase your Florida Saltwater Fishing License online here.

The FWC website is a helpful resource, especially for new anglers. It contains a wealth of valuable information, including guides on Fish Species Identification, Fish Handling Guide, and Saltwater Fishing Etiquette.

Penalties for Breaching Redfish Regulations In Florida

You may not know, but breaking fishing regulations isn’t a slap on the wrist and see you later in Florida. Violations of bag or size limits for Redfish, or any of the state’s other fish species, can include second-degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 60 days in jail along with harsh monetary penalties and permanent bans on fishing.

Before you head out on the water for an excellent day of fishing, take five minutes to double-check the regulations, including size, season, and bag limits, for your target species. Environmental pressure or overfishing can often impact fishing regulations, which will require them to be changed mid-season.

As responsible anglers, we can all do our part to ensure the health of our local fisheries and that future generations of anglers can enjoy the same, if not better, fishing opportunities we all enjoy today.

Florida Redfish Seasons and Regulations: A Comprehensive Guide | Conclusion

Although the Florida Redfish regulations and season can feel complicated at first, hopefully, with the information above, including size and slot limits, bag limits, and seasons, you’ll have a much clearer idea of what’s required. As with all fishing regulations, it’s crucial to stay up to date, and it’s always a good idea to check the rules before you head out on the water just in case there have been any last-minute changes.

As responsible anglers, it’s essential that we all do our part to ensure the ongoing health of the fisheries we enjoy. That means following bag, season, and size limits and leaving fishing areas as clean, if not cleaner than we found them.

The Fishbox App analyzes weather and water conditions and input from local anglers to give you accurate and up-to-date weather and fishing forecasts before you head out on the water, allowing you to plan the optimal time to go fishing. Regardless of your experience on the water, more information equals better fishing opportunities, and maximizing opportunities will lead to a higher success rate.

Do you have any questions about the Florida Redfish regulations or season, or would you like to share your advice? Drop a comment below! We love reading feedback from our readers, and your advice could assist a fellow angler.