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Caught a Monster Redfish Inshore in Weeki Wachee
Redfish Inshore in Weeki Wachee
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The Redfish (Sciaenops Ocellatus) is one of Florida's most prized inshore game fish, known for its powerful runs and copper-bronze coloration. Belonging to the Sciaenidae family of drum fishes, they're identified by their distinctive tail spot and can grow to impressive sizes in the Gulf waters. - Typically measuring between 30-61 inches and weighing 10-45 pounds in adult form. - Prefer shallow waters from 1-4 feet deep around structure like oyster beds, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines.
Fishing Guide by Guide Tim Stout in August
Meet your Guide Tim Stout
- Seize the Bay with the best Fishing Charter!
Summary
Sunday July fishing in Weeki Wachee doesn't get much better than this 6-hour inshore charter with Seize The Bay Fishing Charters. We launched from Bayport Park Boat Ramp under clear skies, perfect for sight fishing the flats. The highlight of our trip was landing a monster 103-inch redfish that put up an incredible fight. We also caught longnose gar, spotted gar, and Spanish mackerel using various techniques including live bait and topwater lures. Whether you're an experienced angler or new to fishing, our inshore waters provide consistent action throughout summer. All tackle and gear is provided on our charters, so you can focus on the fishing while we handle the rest.
Fishing Charter with Tim Stout – Rates & Booking
Guide Tim Stout of Seize The Bay Fishing Charters on Sunday July offers 6-hour guided fishing trips targeting redfish, cobia, snook, and sharks in Weeki Wachee's productive inshore waters. Our charter includes all bait, tackle, and licenses, with expert guidance to put you on the fish. We provide everything you need for a successful day on the water – just bring snacks, drinks, sunscreen, and a camera to document your catch. With years of local experience, we know exactly where to find the fish throughout the seasons. Trips depart from Bayport Park Boat Ramp, allowing quick access to prime fishing grounds. Book your trip online today to secure your date – availability is limited, especially during peak summer months.
Highlights of 6-Hour Guided Trip in Weeki Wachee – Target Cobia, Snook & Sharks
The Bayport area offers exceptional inshore fishing opportunities with a mix of species that provide consistent action. Our summer trips focus on the flats and backcountry areas where redfish, gar, and Spanish mackerel thrive. We employ various fishing techniques including sight fishing, live bait presentations, and exciting topwater action. These methods not only produce results but create memorable experiences for anglers of all skill levels.
Our recent trip demonstrated just how productive Weeki Wachee's waters can be, with a trophy 103-inch redfish highlighting the day's catches. We also found success with spotted and longnose gar, adding variety to the experience. The clear water conditions typical of summer months make for excellent sight fishing opportunities, allowing you to spot and target fish with precision.
Local Species Insights: Redfish
Redfish in Weeki Wachee's inshore waters offer year-round action, but summer brings special opportunities. These copper-colored fighters love shallow flats where they can be spotted by their distinctive tail. Look for them around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats during higher tides. They readily take live bait like pinfish or finger mullet, but artificial lures like gold spoons and soft plastics also produce well. The monster 103-inch redfish we landed shows the trophy potential in these waters. When targeting these fish, stealth is key – approach quietly and make precise casts to avoid spooking them.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Our fishing charters accommodate up to 2 guests comfortably on a well-equipped bay boat designed for navigating Weeki Wachee's inshore waters. Morning departures are standard, typically starting at 7:00 AM to take advantage of the best bite. We provide quality rods, reels, tackle, and all necessary bait – just bring personal items like sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and weather-appropriate clothing. A cooler with ice is available for your drinks and snacks. Plan for a full 6 hours on the water, giving us plenty of time to explore multiple fishing spots and techniques to ensure a productive and enjoyable experience.
Fishing in Homosassa: Redfish
The Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as Red Drum, belongs to the Sciaenidae family in the order Perciformes. These distinctive fish are immediately recognizable by their copper-bronze coloration and one or more black spots near the tail. In Weeki Wachee waters this July, anglers are finding excellent opportunities to target these powerful fighters in the shallow flats and backcountry areas.
Redfish Overview
Redfish are highly sought-after gamefish known for their strong fights and willingness to take a variety of baits and lures. They're a cornerstone species for inshore anglers throughout the Gulf Coast, offering both sporting challenge and excellent table fare when harvested within slot limits.
Redfish Habitat and Distribution
These adaptable fish thrive in diverse environments including grass flats, oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and shallow bays. In the Weeki Wachee area, they're commonly found in water ranging from 1-4 feet deep, often revealing their presence by "tailing" as they feed on bottom-dwelling organisms. They prefer areas with moderate current flow and structure that provides both food sources and protection.
Redfish Size and Weight
Adult redfish typically range from 30-61 inches in length and can weigh anywhere from 10-45 pounds. The 103-inch monster caught on our recent charter demonstrates the trophy potential in Florida Gulf waters. Slot-sized fish (those legal to harvest under Florida regulations) generally run 18-27 inches and provide excellent sport on light to medium tackle.
Redfish Diet and Behavior
Redfish are opportunistic feeders that primarily target crustaceans, small baitfish, and bottom-dwelling organisms. They use their downturned mouths to root through bottom sediment and can often be spotted with their tails breaking the water's surface while feeding in shallow water. They're most active during moving tides, particularly during early morning and late afternoon hours.
Redfish Spawning Season
While redfish can be caught year-round, their spawning activity typically occurs from late summer through fall in nearshore Gulf waters. During this time, large breeding adults (known as bull reds) gather in schools near passes and deeper channels. In July, Weeki Wachee anglers often find good numbers of slot-sized fish in the backcountry waters as they feed aggressively in preparation for the upcoming spawn.
Redfish Fishing Techniques
For consistent redfish success in Weeki Wachee waters, three approaches stand out. Sight fishing the flats during clear conditions allows for targeted presentations to visible fish. Live bait fishing with pinfish, finger mullet, or shrimp works exceptionally well when fished near structure. Artificial lures including gold spoons, soft plastic jerkbaits, and weedless spoons produce well when worked slowly along bottom contours. In July, anglers around Weeki Wachee find them concentrated around deeper mangrove edges during mid-day heat and moving onto shallow flats during cooler morning and evening periods.
Redfish Is It Good to Eat?
Redfish is considered excellent table fare with a mild, sweet flavor and medium-firm white flesh. The meat has a flaky texture that lends itself well to a variety of cooking methods including grilling, blackening, and baking. It's relatively low in fat with good protein content. However, larger specimens (bull reds) tend to have coarser meat and more parasites, making the slot-sized fish preferable for consumption.
Redfish Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for redfish in Weeki Wachee?
A: Live pinfish, finger mullet, and cut mullet are top natural baits in this area. For artificials, gold spoons, scented soft plastics, and weedless jerkbaits consistently produce good results.
Q: Where can I find redfish near Weeki Wachee?
A: Look for redfish around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, grass flats in 1-4 feet of water, and creek mouths, especially during moving tides. The Bayport area offers particularly productive redfish habitat.
Q: Is redfish good to eat?
A: Yes, redfish is excellent eating with a mild, sweet flavor and flaky white meat. Slot-sized fish (18-27 inches in Florida) provide the best table fare, while larger specimens are typically released as breeding stock.
Q: When is the best time to catch redfish in Weeki Wachee?
A: Redfish can be caught year-round, but early morning and late evening periods during moving tides produce best. Summer through fall offers consistent action, with July being an excellent month as they feed aggressively before the spawning season.
Q: What tackle should I use for redfish?
A: Medium-action spinning gear with 15-20 lb braided line works well. A 7' rod provides good casting distance and hook-setting power. A 20-30 lb fluorocarbon leader helps prevent break-offs around structure.
Q: Do redfish fight hard?
A: Absolutely. Redfish are known for powerful initial runs, often taking 20-30 yards of line in their first surge. Their stamina makes them one of the hardest-fighting inshore species, especially the larger specimens.
