Everything You Need To Know About Redfish Season 2023

What is a Redfish?

Redfish or red drum can be found in the inshore waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico where they have become one of the most popular game fish. These beautiful fish generally have a gold to red streamlined body with a distinct black spot on their tail but multiple spots are also not uncommon.

Gulf of Mexico Redfish Season 2023

Red drum doesn’t have an open season in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the harvest of redfish is strictly prohibited. In state waters, redfish have no closed season and can be harvested year-round within the bag limits set by each state. The best time of year to catch redfish in the gulf is generally late summer into the fall but will vary depending on your specific location.

Gulf of Mexico Redfish Management

In the 1970s and 80s’ red drum were commercially harvested and were not a protected game fish which ultimately lead to overfishing resulting in smaller and fewer fish. With the elimination of commercial fishing and the addition of strict bag limits redfish have been able to recover. Red drum regulations are set by the states. The exact regulations vary from state to state but minimum and maximum size restrictions(slot limits), as well as daily bag limits, are present in every state where redfish are found.

Texas Redfish

Texas has a variety of places to target redfish with everything from the busy Galveston Bay to the pristine waters of the Laguna Madre. With both large fish and a high population of fish, Texas has all of the qualities that make for great red drum fishing. Click the button below to browse 300+ redfish trips across the Lone Star State with Texas's top guides.

Texas Redfish Season 2023

There is no closed season for redfish in Texas which makes them open to catch year-round. The best time of year to catch redfish in Texas is in the fall.

Texas Redfish Limits

A redfish must be at least 20” but no more than 28” in length to be legally harvested. The daily bag limit for redfish in Texas is three redfish per person. One redfish over the maximum length can be kept each year with a red drum tag that comes with a fishing license.

Louisiana Redfish Fishing

Catching huge bull redfish is just one of the many things Louisiana is known for. The sheer volume of brackish water in the marshes and lakes creates endless places to find great red drum fishing spots. If you want to catch a giant redfish, our Louisiana guides have you covered.

Louisiana Redfish Season 2023

There is no closed season for redfish in Louisiana so they are open to harvest year-round. The best time of year to catch big redfish in Louisiana is in the fall while spring will produce more fish.

Louisiana Redfish Limits

Redfish must be at least 16” and no more than 27” to be legally harvested in Louisiana. The daily bag limit is 5 fish per person. Two redfish of the daily bag limit are allowed to be over the slot limit.

Mississippi Redfish Fishing

The rich bays, rivers, and marshes in Mississippi are full of redfish most of the year. With so many great spots to choose from, our Mississippi fishing page is the perfect place to start

Mississippi Redfish Season 2023

There is no closed season for redfish in Mississippi so they are open to harvest year-round. The best time of year to catch redfish in Mississippi is in the fall.

Mississippi Redfish Limits

Redfish must be between 18 and 30 inches to be legally harvested in Mississippi. The daily bag limit is 3 fish per person. Recreational anglers can keep one redfish over 30 inches each year.

Alabama Redfish Fishing

Alabama has a year-round redfish bite that is one of the best in the country. The jetties, rivers, and bays always have a strong bite and plenty of bull reds when the migration starts. Check out our Alabama fishing Page below to start planning your next day on the water.

Alabama Redfish Season 2023

There is no closed season for redfish in Alabama so they are open to harvest year-round. The best time of year to catch redfish in Alabama is in the fall but fishing opportunities are strong year-round.

Alabama Redfish Limits

Redfish must be between 16” and 26” to be legally retained in Alabama. The daily bag limit is 3 fish per person. One fish of the 3 fish may be kept over the maximum length per day.

Florida Red Drum Fishing

Florida has the Atlantic and Gulf coast where top-notch redfish can be caught throughout the year. Florida has incredible fishing across the state and routinely produces some of the biggest red drum each year. Start planning your next trip by checking out our Florida fishing page.

Florida Red Drum Season 2023

There is no closed season for redfish in Florida which makes them legal to catch year-round. While redfish are abundant throughout the year, the best time to catch them is in the fall.

Florida Red Drum Regulations

The Florida red drum regulations establish the limits for the newly defined regions as follows:

Fishing for redfish in the Indian River Lagoon region is catch-and-release only.

The daily bag limit in the other eight regions is one fish per person.

The vessel limit is four fish in the Panhandle, Big Bend, and Northeast regions, and two fish in Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, and Southeast regions.

The redfish restrictions vary by region in Florida so it is important to know where you are fishing and what regulations apply. For the entire state where redfish are legal to harvest, the slot limit is set at 18 to 27 inches. Some areas have special restrictions and it’s important to check the regulations before you hit the water.

Atlantic Redfish Season 2023

Redfish have no closed season in state waters in the Atlantic and can be caught year-round. The best time of year to catch redfish will vary depending on location.

Atlantic Redfish Management

In the Atlantic, redfish are regulated within state waters with federal waters prohibiting the harvest of red drum altogether. The states have slot limits and daily bag limits in place to prevent overfishing.

South Carolina Redfish Fishing

The red drum fishing in the South Carolina low country is incredible with plenty of back waters to explore looking for bull reds. The back country waters are second to none and are an amazing place to tail redfish. If you want to get in on the action, check out the South Carolina fishing page.

South Carolina Redfish Season 2023

Redfish are open for harvest year-round in South Carolina with the best time to catch them being fall months.

South Carolina Redfish Limits

Redfish in South Carolina must be between 15” and 23” in length to be legally retained. The daily bag limit is 2 fish per person with a vessel limit of 6.

North Carolina Redfish Fishing

The red drum fishing in the North Carolina is always great as a truly 365 day a year fishery. Abundant tidal creeks, grass lines, and oyster beds create the perfect environment for redfish to thrive. The North Carolina backwaters are top-notch and an amazing place to tail redfish. If you want to get in on the action, our North Carolina page is a great place to start planning.

North Carolina Redfish Season 2023

Redfish have no closed season, and are abundant year-round in North Carolina state waters. While fishing for redfish is always great, the best time of year to catch a bull red is in the fall.

North Carolina Redfish Limits

Redfish in North Carolina must be at least 18 inches long but less than 27 inches in total length to meet the slot limit and be legal for harvest. The daily bag limit is one redfish per person.