Redfish (Red Drum) Fishing in Florida
Check regulations
Check regulations
Year-round
Overview
Sight-fishing redfish on shallow grass flats is world-class in Florida.
The Indian River Lagoon system holds year-round redfish populations.
Redfish tail in inches of water on falling tides—watch for waving tails and mud plumes.
Gold spoons are the classic Florida redfish lure and remain devastatingly effective.
Best Waters in Florida
- Indian River Lagoon — East coast lagoon system from New Smyrna Beach to Stuart with year-round sight-fishing for redfish.
- Mosquito Lagoon — Pristine shallow lagoon in Canaveral National Seashore with crystal-clear water and tailing redfish.
- Tampa Bay — Large west coast estuary with redfish on oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats.
- Everglades National Park — Backcountry mangrove creeks and flats holding redfish year-round in a wilderness setting.
- Charlotte Harbor — Southwest Florida estuary with healthy redfish populations around oyster bars and potholes.
Local Techniques & Baits
Techniques
- Sight casting
- Weedless spoon fishing
- Soft plastic on jig head
- Live bait freelining
- Fly fishing
Baits & Lures
- Johnson gold spoon
- DOA CAL shad tail
- Live shrimp
- Cut mullet
- Z-Man Redfish Eye jig
Seasonal Guide for Florida
SpringSpring Fishing
Redfish feed aggressively on warming flats. Sight-fishing peaks as water clears.
SummerSummer Fishing
Early morning and evening tides are best. Fish deeper holes and channels during heat of day.
FallFall Fishing
Bull redfish run nearshore in September-November. Inshore slot fish remain active on flats and bars.
WinterWinter Fishing
Redfish concentrate in sun-warmed shallows on cold days. Slow presentations with natural baits are key.
Regulations
Regulations change frequently. Always verify current regulations with Florida Fish & Wildlife. Information shown was last updated 2025-01-01.
Specific regulations for redfish (red drum) in Florida are not listed in our database. Please check the official Florida regulations for current rules.