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Red drum (redfish): Florida size, bag and season

As of / last verified: against official sources · Source: FWC: Red drum (redfish)

Red drum limit in Florida: where harvest is open, the slot is not less than 18 inches and no more than 27 inches total length, with 1 fish per person per day. The vessel limit is 4 in the Panhandle, Big Bend and Northeast and 2 elsewhere. The Indian River Lagoon is catch-and-release only. Open regions stay open year-round.

Quick answer

Slot
Not less than 18" and no more than 27" total length
Bag
1 per person per day
Vessel
4 in Panhandle, Big Bend and Northeast; 2 in other harvest regions
Indian River Lagoon
Catch-and-release only
Gear
Hook and line, cast nets
Red drum (redfish): side view for identification
Red drum (redfish). Illustration: Duane Raver/USFWS. Public domain
Total length vs fork lengthTotal length runs from the tip of the closed mouth to the tip of the squeezed tail. Fork length runs from the tip of the snout to the center of the tail fork.How FWC measures fishTOTAL LENGTH: mouth closed → tip of squeezed tailFORK LENGTH: snout → center of tail forkTL species include: red drum, snook, spotted seatrout, weakfish, snappers, groupers, flounder, sheepsheadFL species include: pompano, permit, Spanish & king mackerel, cobia, amberjacks, hogfish, dolphin
Measure in a straight line with the fish on its side; don't follow its curve. Red drum are measured in total length. Source: FWC Fish Measurement. Original graphic.

Red drum (redfish) limits

WatersSizeBagSeason
PanhandleNot less than 18" no more than 27" total length1 per person per day; 4 fish vessel limitOpen year-round
Big BendNot less than 18" no more than 27" total length1 per person per day; 4 fish vessel limitOpen year-round
Tampa BayNot less than 18" no more than 27" total length1 per person; 2 fish vessel limitOpen year-round
Sarasota BayNot less than 18" no more than 27" total length1 per person; 2 fish vessel limitOpen year-round
Charlotte HarborNot less than 18" and no more than 27" total length1 per person, 2 fish vessel limitOpen year-round
SouthwestNot less than 18" no more than 27" total length1 per person per day; 2 fish per vessel limitOpen year-round
SoutheastNot less than 18" no more than 27" total length1 per person per day; 2 fish vessel limitOpen year-round
NortheastNot less than 18" no more than 27" total length1 per person per day; 4 fish per vessel limitOpen year-round
Indian River LagoonCatch-and-release onlyCatch-and-release onlyCatch-and-release only

Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park. Bag limits also apply in areas next to fishing sites, such as docks and parking lots. A 4 fish per person transport limit applies in a vehicle on land away from a fishing site. Fish must stay whole until landed. Captain and crew may not keep a bag limit on a for-hire trip. Commercial harvest is prohibited.

How do you identify Red drum (redfish)?

Look-alikes

Where and when to catch Red drum (redfish) in Florida?

Red drum are coastal fish. Juveniles stay inshore until they reach roughly 30 inches (about 4 years), then join the nearshore population. In winter, FWC describes them in seagrass, over muddy or sand bottoms, or near oyster bars or spring-fed creeks. Spawning runs from about August through December in passes, inlets and lagoon estuaries. They eat fish and invertebrates. A live shrimp under a popping cork, or a jig, spoon or topwater plug, is how FWC describes typical fishing.

Piers and bridges

Regions

Related rules on this site

Frequently asked questions

What is the Florida redfish size limit?

Not less than 18 inches and no more than 27 inches total length, in every region where harvest is open.

What is the redfish bag limit?

1 fish per person per day. The vessel limit is 4 fish in the Panhandle, Big Bend and Northeast regions and 2 fish in Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest and Southeast.

Can you keep redfish in the Indian River Lagoon?

No. FWC lists the Indian River Lagoon region as catch-and-release only.

What gear is legal for redfish?

Hook and line and cast nets. Spearing, including spearfishing, gigging and bowfishing, snatch hooking, and multiple hooks with live or dead natural bait are prohibited.

How do you tell a redfish from a black drum?

Redfish lack chin barbels and usually have one or more dark spots at the base of the tail. Black drum have chin barbels and no tail spot.

Official sources

Last verified: October 14, 2026.

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Disclaimer: This page is a plain-English summary for general information. It is not legal advice. Rules, seasons and boundaries can change at short notice, including by emergency order. Always check the current regulations on MyFWC.com before you fish.