Red drum in Florida
Limits, records, best waters and stocking for red drum.
- 52.31 lbrecord
Photo: Steve Hillebrand, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Catching Red drum in Florida
Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) is managed by FWC as a saltwater species. The Florida record red drum weighed 52.31 pounds (Cocoa, 1996).
red drum biology
Where to find red drum
“Coastal waters.”
“In winter, redfish are found in seagrass, over muddy or sand bottoms, or near oyster bars or spring fed creeks.”
Life cycle of red drum
“Juvenile redfish are an inshore species until they reach roughly 30 inches (4 years).”
“They then migrate to the nearshore population.”
“Prodigious spawners that produce tens of millions of eggs.”
“Spawning season is from about August through December, in passes, inlets and lagoon estuaries around the state.”
“During spawning season, redfish use special muscles rubbing against their air bladder to produce a "drumming" sound for which they are named.”
“Feed on fishes and invertebrates.”
Seasons for red drum
“They then migrate to the nearshore population.”
“Prodigious spawners that produce tens of millions of eggs.”
“Spawning season is from about August through December, in passes, inlets and lagoon estuaries around the state.”
“During spawning season, redfish use special muscles rubbing against their air bladder to produce a "drumming" sound for which they are named.”
Quoted from the FWC species profile.
Florida red drum limits
| Where | Bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panhandle Region | 1 a day | 18-27 in. TL | Open year-round |
| Big Bend Region | 1 a day | 18-27 in. TL | Open year-round |
| Tampa Bay Region | 1 a day | 18-27 in. TL | Open year-round |
| Sarasota Bay Region | 1 a day | 18-27 in. TL | Open year-round |
| Charlotte Harbor Region | 1 a day | 18-27 in. TL | Open year-round |
| Southwest Region | 1 a day | 18-27 in. TL | Open year-round |
| Southeast Region | 1 a day | 18-27 in. TL | Open year-round |
| Northeast Region | 1 a day | 18-27 in. TL | Open year-round |
| Indian River Lagoon Region | catch and release | none | Catch-and-release only |
1 fish per person per day; 4 fish vessel limit. Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore. Captain and crew bag limit prohibited on for-hire trips. 4 fish per person transport limit on land away from a fishing site.
1 fish per person per day; 4 fish vessel limit. Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore. Captain and crew bag limit prohibited on for-hire trips. 4 fish per person transport limit on land away from a fishing site.
FWC saltwater regulations, checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Florida record red drum
| Category | Weight (lb) | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| All tackle | 52.31 | Cocoa | 1996 |
| Fly | 43 | Banana River | 1995 |
| Length | Lanark | 2025 | |
| Youth length | Cape San Blas | 2025 |
FWC freshwater state records and Catch a Florida Memory saltwater records. Angler names left out.
Florida bays for red drum
Big Bend region (1 a day, 18-27 in. TL)
- Alligator HarborFranklin
- Apalachee BayWakulla
- Deadman BayTaylor
- Ochlockonee BayFranklin, Wakulla
- Suwannee SoundLevy
- Waccasassa BayLevy
- Withlacoochee BayLevy
Charlotte Harbor region (1 a day, 18-27 in. TL)
- Charlotte HarborCharlotte, Lee
- Estero BayLee
- Gasparilla SoundCharlotte, Lee
- Lemon BayCharlotte, Sarasota
- Matlacha PassLee
- Pine Island SoundLee
- San Carlos BayLee
Indian River Lagoon region (catch and release, none)
- Banana RiverBrevard
- Hobe SoundMartin
- Indian River (Indian River Lagoon)Brevard, Indian River
- Jupiter SoundMartin, Palm Beach
- Loxahatchee River estuaryMartin, Palm Beach
- Mosquito LagoonBrevard, Volusia
- St. Lucie River estuaryMartin, St. Lucie
Northeast region (1 a day, 18-27 in. TL)
- Cumberland SoundNassau
- Halifax RiverVolusia
- Matanzas RiverFlagler, St. Johns
- Nassau SoundDuval, Nassau
- Tolomato RiverSt. Johns
Panhandle region (1 a day, 18-27 in. TL)
- Apalachicola BayFranklin
- Big LagoonEscambia
- Blackwater BaySanta Rosa
- Choctawhatchee BayOkaloosa, Walton
- East Bay (Bay County)Bay, Gulf
- East Bay (Franklin County)Franklin
- East Bay (Santa Rosa County)Santa Rosa
- Escambia BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- North Bay (Bay County)Bay
- Pensacola BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- Perdido BayEscambia
- Santa Rosa SoundEscambia, Okaloosa
- St. Andrew BayBay
- St. Andrew SoundBay
- St. George SoundFranklin
- St. Joseph BayGulf
- St. Vincent SoundFranklin, Gulf
- West Bay (Bay County)Bay
Sarasota Bay region (1 a day, 18-27 in. TL)
- Little Sarasota BaySarasota
- Palma Sola BayManatee
- Roberts Bay (Siesta Key)Sarasota
- Roberts Bay (Venice)Sarasota
- Sarasota BayManatee, Sarasota
Southeast region (1 a day, 18-27 in. TL)
- Barnes SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Biscayne BayMiami-Dade
- Card SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Florida BayMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Lake Worth LagoonPalm Beach
Southwest region (1 a day, 18-27 in. TL)
- Chokoloskee BayCollier
- Fakahatchee BayCollier
- Naples BayCollier
- Ponce de Leon BayMonroe
- Whitewater BayMonroe
Tampa Bay region (1 a day, 18-27 in. TL)
- Boca Ciega BayPinellas
- Clearwater HarborPinellas
- Hillsborough BayHillsborough
- Old Tampa BayHillsborough, Pinellas
- St. Joseph SoundPinellas
- Tampa BayHillsborough, Manatee
Other Florida saltwater fish
Florida red drum: common questions
Is there a size limit on red drum in Florida?
1 a day (Panhandle Region), size: 18-27 in. TL.
What is the biggest red drum caught in Florida?
52.31 pounds, caught in 1996.
Where do I catch red drum in Florida?
The lists above show where red drum are caught.
Does FWC stock red drum?
No recent FWC stocking of red drum is listed.
What qualifies a red drum as a Big Catch?
FWC lists no Big Catch minimum for red drum.
What species name do red drum go by?
Sciaenops ocellatus.
Which license do I need for red drum?
You need the Florida saltwater license at 16 and older.
When is red drum season closed?
No closed season is listed for red drum.
Where does this red drum information come from?
The FWC profile, rule pages and record lists.