Congratulations to Kristen Cili of South Florida winning Redfish photo of the week!  What a great catch and great smile. 

Redfish is one of the species in our upcoming Johnny Kellar Tournament. This species is photo release only for the event. To learn more about the event – click here.

Redfish in Florida …. (Thanks to our friends at the FWC)

Habitat and Fishing Tips:

Red drum, also called redfish, channel bass, spottail, red bass or reds, are one of Florida’s most popular sport fish and the state’s most widespread estuarine fish. Red drum are named after the “drumming” sound the make during spawning and when taken out of the water. The sound is produced by muscles rubbing against the inflated air bladder. Red drum inhabit the nearshore and offshore waters throughout the Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Key West. Juvenile red drum inhabit rivers, bays, canals, tidal creeks, and passes in estuaries for up to four years, after which they usually move to nearshore or open ocean waters as adults. Red drum in Florida can reach lengths of 45 inches and weigh up to 51 pounds. The world record red drum was caught off North Carolina waters in 1984 and it weighed 94 pounds, 2 ounces.The oldest recorded red drum in Florida was aged at 40 years. Floating a live shrimp under a popping cork is a good way to fish for red drum. They also chase crabs, mullet, pinfish and killifish (mud minnows). Casting soft-bodied jigs, spoons and even top-water plugs will catch the attention of these powerful estuarine musicians. Redfish make great table fare. Learn more about red drum biology: Red Drum Sea Stat

State Record:

52 lb 5 oz, caught near Cocoa (1996) Florida Rule 

Participate in a Florida Grand Slam

The Grand Slam Club celebrates the variety of Florida sport fishes and the achievement of anglers catching a particular set of three species in one day.  There is a different slam inspired by fish caught in each of the state’s four geographic regions, and red drum is included in three of them. (Note: Though named after regions, Grand Slams are not region based. You do not have to be in the region listed to acheive that regions Grand Slam. For example, you can get a North Florida Grand Slam while fishing in South Florida, so long as you catch all three North Florida species of fish in a 24 hour period.)

Regional grand slam fishes

North Florida– Red drum, spotted seatrout, and cobia
West Coast– Red drum, snook, and tarpon
East Coast– Red drum, spotted seatrout, and tarpon
South Florida– Tarpon, bonefish, and permit

The Grand Slam program is conducted in collaboration with the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) and requires anglers to fill out an application.  For more information on this program, visit the Grand Slam and Fishing Records page.