Redfish fishing in Florida: flats, baits and charters
Sight fish for redfish on Florida’s flats and lagoons with local inshore captains.
Redfish are Florida’s most popular inshore fish: they tail in inches of water, eat a well-placed bait and fight hard. Here’s how to catch them, the rules, and where to book a redfish trip.
What is redfish fishing?
Redfish fishing is inshore fishing for red drum, a copper-colored fish with a black tail spot. In Florida you sight fish for redfish on shallow grass flats, oyster bars and mangrove shorelines with live shrimp, cut bait, spoons, soft plastics or flies. They bite all year; the fall run brings big “bull” reds. Size and bag limits vary by region, so check the FWC red drum rules.
Sciaenops ocellatusMeet the redfish
Also called: Red drum, channel bass, bull red, spottail
- Typical size
- Slot reds 18–27 in; bulls over 30 in and 20–40+ lb
- World record
- 94 lb 2 oz (IGFA all-tackle, North Carolina, 1984)
- Where it lives
- Shallow grass flats, oyster bars, mangroves and lagoons; adults school near inlets and beaches
- How to spot it
- Copper to bronze body with one or more black spots near the tail
- What it eats
- Crabs, shrimp, mullet and other small fish, often “tailing” head-down in shallow water
- Can you keep it?
- Slot size and bag limits vary by region, and some regions are catch and release only (FWC rules)
Redfish can live 40 years. The spot near the tail may fool predators into attacking the wrong end.
Slot redfish vs bull redfish
Two very different fish:
| Slot redfish | Bull redfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 18–27 in, 3–8 lb | 30 in+, 20–40+ lb |
| Where | Flats, oyster bars, mangroves | Inlets, passes, beaches, Mosquito Lagoon |
| Best time | Year-round | Late summer and fall |
| Tackle | Light spinning, fly | Medium spinning, heavier leader |
| Keep? | Where your region allows | Release |
Redfish fishing charters
Inshore trips where redfish are a main target:
How to catch redfish
Tips from our inshore captains:
Read the water
Look for tailing fish, wakes and “nervous” water on the flats, especially on a rising tide. Reds push bait against mangroves and oyster bars.
Baits and lures
Live shrimp and cut mullet are the most reliable baits. Gold spoons, paddle-tail soft plastics and topwater plugs are classic lures. See our guide to Redfish Fishing in Florida.
Rules
Redfish (red drum) are managed by region in Florida. Check slot size, bag limits and catch-and-release zones in the FWC red drum rules.
Best places
Mosquito Lagoon and New Smyrna Beach are world famous for big redfish in shallow water.
What to bring
Polarized sunglasses (a must for sight fishing), sunscreen, a hat and drinks. If you get seasick, read our Sea Sickness tips, although most redfish water is calm.
Book a trip
Book a fishing charter online with iOutdoor, or learn more about Redfish Fishing and Redfish trips below.
Best places to go redfish fishing in Florida
Pick a town (lowest inshore trip price on its page, or call to book):
Panhandle & Nature Coast
Tampa Bay & Southwest
Keys & Everglades
Fish you catch on a redfish trip
Redfish share the flats with:
Seasons, size and bag limits apply: see the FWC saltwater fishing regulations.
Redfish fishing by season
Winter Dec–Feb
- Big schools on clear flats
- Slow presentations
- Sunny afternoons
Spring Mar–May
- Tailing reds on flats
- Shrimp and crabs
- Morning high tides
Summer Jun–Aug
- Early mornings and topwater
- Shade lines and mangroves
- Mosquito Lagoon bulls
Fall Sep–Nov
- Fall run: bull reds at inlets
- Mullet run
- Best month: October
What guests say about our redfish trips
5.011 reviews
Capt Brad was great for both of our fishing trips. He took great care to make my husbands birthday fishing experience amazing and taught me how to use a bait caster. His boat was immaculate and most importantly, he put us on fish.
Ashley Eubanks · April 2026 · Google
Enjoyed the adventure
I opted to fish Rodman Reservoir during the drawdown. Captain Chris was very accomodating and a pleasure to spend 6 hours with. His boat and equipment are set up for fishing this type of lake. The weather was ideal for fishing; mostly cloudy, the west wind, warming temperatures. The water…
MIEKE D · March 2020
Enjoyed the adventure
I opted to fish Rodman Reservoir during the drawdown. Captain Chris was very accomodating and a pleasure to spend 6 hours with. His boat and equipment are setup for fishing this type of lake. The weather was ideal for fishing; mostly cloudy, west wind, warming temperatures. The water temperature…
MIEKE D · March 2020
Enjoyed the adventure
I opted to fish Rodman Reservoir during the drawdown. Captain Chris was very accomodating and a pleasure to spend 6 hours with. His boat and equipment are setup for fishing this type of lake. The weather was ideal for fishing; mostly cloudy, west wind, warming temperatures. The water temperature…
MIEKE D · March 2020 · TripAdvisor
Great trip
Fished with Captain Chris for largemouth bass. He is a really good dude and knew right where to put us on the fish. I would recommend him to anyone looking to get ahold of some big fish!
Russell Tolen · January 2020
Go fish with Cat. Nick Pasquarello!
My buddy Mike and I wanted a chance to catch a trophy largemouth as well as our first peacock bass. Capt. Nick wasted no time in putting us on both. We had a great time, caught lots of fish and enjoyed Cat. Nick's company. On my next visit, I will use Capt. Nick Pasquarello again!
FarAway58566891706 · May 2019
Go fish with Cat. Nick Pasquarello!
My buddy Mike and I wanted a chance to catch a trophy largemouth as well as our first peacock bass. Capt. Nick wasted no time in putting us on both. We had a great time, caught lots of fish, and enjoyed Cat. Nick's company. On my next visit, I will use Capt. Nick Pasquarello again!
FarAway58 · May 2019
Bass Fishing
Our trip was Great. We had a very good time and landed some very nice fish. Captain Chris Davy was an awesome guide and Capt. Ken Walker was a life saver. These guys are awesome.
byekeys · February 2019
Loved fishing
I have to say, this was one of the most professional organizations I have experienced. Booking was easy and customer support answered all my questions. Even when I remembered them and called back hours later! :) What was recommended was an afternoon trip with Capt Brad. I chose the 6 hour trip…
Tim S · January 2019
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
Book a redfish fishing charter
Pick a town and date, or let us match you with a redfish captain.
Not sure where to go? Call or text and we’ll help.
Saltwater license covered by the captain on saltwater trips. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the captain cancels for weather. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
Redfish fishing FAQ
What is a redfish?
Redfish, also called red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), is a copper-red inshore fish with one or more black spots near the tail. Young “slot” reds of 18–27 inches live on shallow flats; adult “bull redfish” over about 30 inches and 20–40+ pounds school near inlets and the coast in fall.
When is redfish season in Florida?
Redfish bite year-round in Florida, and there is no closed season. Since 2024 FWC manages red drum by region: slot size and bag limits differ, and some regions are catch and release only. Check the FWC red drum rules before you keep a fish.
What is the best bait for redfish?
Live shrimp, cut mullet or ladyfish, pinfish, finger mullet and blue crab. The top lures are gold spoons, soft plastic paddle tails and shrimp imitations, topwater plugs and flies.
Where is the best redfish fishing in Florida?
Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River Lagoon (famous for big reds in shallow water), New Smyrna Beach, the Nature Coast at Homosassa and Crystal River, Tampa Bay, the Panhandle and the Everglades.
What is a bull redfish?
A bull redfish is an adult red drum, usually over 30 inches. In Florida, Mosquito Lagoon is known for bull reds living in shallow water all year, and big schools gather near inlets in late summer and fall. Bulls are released.
What does redfish taste like?
Slot-size redfish have mild, sweet, firm white meat. It is the fish in classic blackened redfish. Large bulls are coarser and are released.
How much is a redfish fishing charter?
Redfish trips are inshore charters. On iOutdoors they start from $450 at Hernando Beach and $500 in Mosquito Lagoon, New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach and Homosassa, priced per boat with tackle, bait and the license included.