Each States Laws & Regulations To Protect Redfish

Redfish are a highly sought after inshore species. Anglers from all over will visit the coast every year to try their luck at catching one. They not only provide such a great fight, but they are a tremendous inshore fish to eat. It is because of this popularity that back in 1987, President George Bush Sr. introduced legislation specifically to protect the redfish. Redfish regulations will vary from state to state. Knowing the correct laws will help you avoid fines and tickets and keep you from breaking any laws. A smarter angler is our overall goal. Let us take a look at each state more in-depth and provide all anglers with a brief guide for the regulations of their local waters.

Redfish Regulations For Each State

Knowing these regulations for the state you are fishing will help you avoid trouble and keep money in your pocket. Each state allows for different sizes and quantity of redfish you are allowed to keep. If you ever ask yourself, "How many redfish am I allowed to keep? Or "What is the slot size for redfish?" then we hope you find this very informative.

1) Alabama Redfish Regulations:

Redfish are found on the coast of Alabama. Fishing the Gulf of Mexico for redfish is often rewarding. Here are the currents regulations for catching redfish in Alabama to help all anglers avoid fines. 

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Website:

https://www.outdooralabama.com

Alabama Fishing License:

A saltwater fishing license is required for anyone older than 16 but younger than 65.

Break Down Of Alabama Fishing License Prices

2) Georgia Redfish Regulations:

Fishing the Georgia coast for redfish is something many anglers do. The inshore fishing is some of the best in the country. Protecting the redfish is something that all anglers should worry about.  Here are the currents regulations for catching redfish in Georgia to help all anglers avoid fines. 

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Website:

http://www.eregulations.com

Georgia Fishing License:

A saltwater fishing license is required in the state of Georgia. A free Saltwater Information Permit is additionally needed to fish in saltwater. 

The Georgia limit for redfish is one of the highest of the east coast. This allows anglers to harvest more fish.

• Daily Limit: 5
• Minimum size: 14″ to 23″

Redfish Season: All Year

Updated Georgia Redfish Regulation: 2018. 

3) Florida Redfish Regulations: (Harvest in federal waters prohibited)

Redfish Fishing in Florida can be done all Year. Many anglers will try their luck. Knowing the proper Florida redfish regulations can save you a hassle and money in the long run. Here are the rules and regulations for catching redfish in Florida to help all anglers avoid fines. 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:

https://elliottenvisions.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/red-drum/

Florida Fishing License:

A saltwater fishing license is required for all anglers.

Florida Resident:

Non Resident:

The Florida redfish regulations depend on the zones you fish in. Know your zone and know how many you can keep.

Florida Redfish Limits:

Size: Not less than 18" no more than 27" total length   

Bag:

Northeast- 2 fish per person per day; 8 fish vessel limit

Northwest- 1 per person per day; 8 fish vessel limit

South- 1 fish per person per day; 8 fish vessel limit 

Gear requirements:

• Legal Gear:  hook and line, cast nets
• Illegal Gear: Spearing (includes spearfishing, gigging and bowfishing) and use of multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited
• Full-text redfish law – download PDF here. Florida Redfish Laws Full Text-68B-22

Red Drum Management Zones

 

FWC Redish Management Zones.

• Northwest: Escambia through Fred Howard Park Causeway near Pasco County
• South: Fred Howard Park Causeway through Monroe County (west coast) and Miami-Dade through Volusia counties (east coast)
• Northeast: Flagler through Nassau counties

Redfish Season: All Year

Updated Florida Redfish Regulation: 2018. 

4) Louisiana Fishing Regulations Redfish:

Fishing for redfish in Louisiana is something all anglers should do once in their life. There are so many significant areas on the coast that hold redfish. Here are the Louisiana redfish regulations to help anglers avoid fines.

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries:

https://elliottenvisions.com/fishing/saltwater-finfish

Louisiana Fishing License:

A saltwater fishing license is required for all anglers.

Residents         

Non-Resident

Knowing the Louisiana limit is something that all saltwater anglers in La must know.

• Daily Limit: 5
• Minimum size: 16″ to 27″

No more than one redfish over 27" max total length

Bag Limit Rules: Recreational saltwater anglers may possess a two day's bag limit of red drum on land; however, no person shall have over the daily bag limit of red drum in any one day or while fishing or while on the water, unless that recreational saltwater angler is aboard a trawler engaged in commercial fishing for a consecutive period of longer than 25 hours.

Catching or possession of redfish in federal waters is prohibited.

Redfish Season: All Year

Updated Louisiana Redfish Regulation: 2018. 

5) Redfish Regulations Mississippi:

Mississippi does not have the most extensive coastline, but you can still catch your share of redfish. Knowing the Missippi redfish regulations will help you avoid any trouble while fishing in MS.

Mississippi Department Of Marine Resources:

http://www.dmr.ms.gov

Mississippi Saltwater Fishing License:

In Mississippi, it is required to possess a fishing license when saltwater fishing.

Mississippi has one of the biggest slots for redfish. This allows for anglers to keep bigger fish up to 30".

• Daily Limit: 3
• Minimum size: 18″ to 30″

Recreational fishermen may keep only one redfish over 30 inches in total length.

Check out the Mississippi Guide to Saltwater Fishing for additional reading  PDF here.

Redfish Season: All Year unless posted

Updated Mississippi Redfish Regulation: 2018. 

6) North Carolina Redfish Regulations:

Fishing the waters of North Carolina can produce some of the biggest redfish around. Knowing the laws will help you avoid issues with your local DNR officers.

North Carolina Environmental Department:

https://elliottenvisions.com/web/mf/recreational-fishing-size-and-bag-limits

North Carolina Fishing License:

Resident Fishing - Annual

Non-Resident Fishing - Annual

North Carolina has one of the smallest limits for east coast states. They only allow anglers to keep one slot size redfish. 

• Daily Limit: 1
• Minimum size: 18″ to 27″

Redfish Season: All Year 

Updated North Carolina Redfish Regulation: 2018. 

7) South Carolina Redfish Regulations:

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources:

https://elliottenvisions.com/regs/saltwaterfish.html

South Carolina Fishing License:

Resident Saltwater Fishing

Nonresident Saltwater Fishing

Finding redfish in South Carolina is pretty straightforward. The coast has a ton of inshore land perfect for reds. 

• Daily Limit: 3
• Minimum size: 15″ to 23″

 Gigging of redfish from December to February is illegal.

Check out South Carolina State's Saltwater Fishing Regulations and Tips for more additional reading (PDF)

Redfish Season: All Year 

Updated South Carolina Redfish Regulation: 2018. 

8) Texas Redfish Regulations:

Texas is known for its saltwater fishing. Redfish are found on the coast of Texas. Fishing the inshore waters will usually produce slot-size reds. Here are the currents regulations for catching redfish in Texas to help all anglers avoid fines. 

Texas Parks and Wildlife:

https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations

Texas License:

 

To fish for redfish in Texas, all anglers are required to have a fishing license.

Redfish Tag: One red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be kept when tagged with a completed Red Drum Tag. 

Fishing for redfish in Texas can be a challenge. Not because they are hard to catch but because their slot size is so narrow. Once you find a school of slot reds, filling your cooler will be easy.

• Daily Limit: 3
• Minimum size: 20″ to 28″

Redfish Season: All Year 

Updated Texas Redfish Regulation: 2018. 

9) Virginia Redfish Regulations:

Redfish fishing in Virginia is always a great time. Here are the currents regulations for catching redfish in Virginia to help all anglers avoid fines. 

Virginia Marine Resource Commission:

https://webapps.mrc.virginia.gov

Virginia Fishing License:

Saltwater fishing in Virginia requires all anglers to possess a saltwater fishing license.

Virginia Beach and the Chesapeake Bay area are great places to find redfish. As an angler, knowing the bag limit will allow you to keep the correct number of fish.

• Daily Limit: 3
• Minimum size: 18″ to 26″

Redfish Season: All Year 

Updated Virginia Redfish Regulation: 2018. 

An angler that knows his state redfish regulations is one that genuinely cares about the waters he fish. These laws and regulations were put into place to protect the reds and keep them around for future generations. We must make sure they are not overfished. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to leave us a comment below or email us at [email protected]. Maybe we missed something in your state with redfish regulations; we would love to hear it and update our blog. We would also like to see all of your bull red catches, so make sure you send us all your great catches to be featured on our social media pages. Make sure to check out our Redfish Species page for other great redfish blogs. Find informative information on fishing for bull reds this fall, beginner's guide for catching redfish, and amazing redfish recipes. Don't forget to get stocked with our redfish jigs and lures for your next fishing trip. Learn your redfish regulations and prevent any unnecessary fines and tickets.

( Updated August 2020)