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Trophy Redfish Fishing Weeki Wachees Inshore Hotspots
Redfish Inshore in Weeki Wachee
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The Redfish (Sciaenops Ocellatus) is a prized inshore gamefish found throughout Florida's coastal waters, including Weeki Wachee. This bronze-colored fish with its distinctive black tail spot can reach impressive sizes of 30-61 inches and weigh between 10-45 pounds when fully grown. - Redfish inhabit shallow flats, oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass beds in depths of 1-4 feet. - They're known for their powerful fights and willingness to take artificial lures, making them popular among sport anglers.
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 delivered incredible action on our 6-hour guided charter. Setting out from Bayport Park Boat Ramp, we had perfect conditions for targeting trophy Redfish in the inshore waters. Using a mix of live bait fishing, sight fishing, and topwater techniques, we hooked into some quality catches. The highlight was landing a monster 103-inch Redfish that put up an amazing fight. We also caught Longnose Gar, Spotted Gar, and Spanish Mackerel throughout the day. Whether you're an experienced angler or just starting out, our Weeki Wachee fishing charters provide all the gear and expertise you need for a productive day on the water targeting these incredible inshore gamefish.
Fishing Charter with Tim Stout – Rates & Booking
Guide Tim Stout of Seize The Bay Fishing Charters on Sunday July offers 6-hour inshore fishing trips targeting Redfish, Snook, and Sharks. Departing from Bayport Park Boat Ramp in Weeki Wachee, these trips are perfect for anglers of all skill levels. All bait, tackle, and fishing equipment are provided so you can focus on the action. With extensive local knowledge of the Bayport and Homosassa waters, Tim knows exactly where to find the fish biting. Whether you're after hard-fighting redfish, acrobatic Spanish mackerel, or prehistoric-looking gar, this licensed guide delivers a productive day on the water.
Highlights of 6-Hour Guided Trip in Weeki Wachee – Target Cobia, Snook & Sharks
This inshore fishing charter offers exceptional variety in techniques and target species. During your 6-hour trip, you'll experience a mix of live bait fishing, sight fishing, and thrilling topwater action. The Bayport area waters are home to impressive Redfish, with monster catches like 103-inch specimens possible. The clear waters make for excellent sight fishing opportunities, allowing you to spot and cast to cruising fish.
Beyond Redfish, you'll also target a variety of other species including Spotted Gar, Longnose Gar, and Spanish Mackerel. The topwater fishing is particularly exciting when fish explode on surface lures. Tim's local expertise ensures you'll fish the most productive spots based on tide, weather, and seasonal patterns - making every trip uniquely tailored to the conditions of the day.
Local Species Insights: Redfish
Redfish in the Weeki Wachee area thrive in shallow inshore waters, especially around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. These bronze-colored gamefish are known for their distinctive black spot near the tail and powerful fights. During summer months, they can be found in 1-4 feet of water, often tailing during low tides as they search for crabs, shrimp and small baitfish.
The most effective techniques for targeting Weeki Wachee redfish include sight fishing with light tackle in clear water, using live bait like pinfish or cut mullet, or working topwater plugs along grass edges during early morning hours. Local anglers often find success fishing around tide changes when redfish are most active. Their aggressive nature and willingness to strike artificial lures make them an exciting target for both experienced anglers and newcomers alike.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Your 6-hour inshore fishing charter accommodates up to 2 guests comfortably on a well-equipped fishing boat designed for navigating the shallow waters around Weeki Wachee. Morning departures are typically recommended for the best fishing conditions, though afternoon trips can also be productive. All fishing gear, including rods, reels, tackle, and bait, is provided by Captain Tim.
Be sure to bring sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), weather-appropriate clothing, and snacks to stay energized throughout your trip. A cooler with ice will be available for your refreshments and to keep any fish you wish to take home. Florida fishing licenses are covered for everyone on the charter, so there's no need to purchase one separately. Tim handles everything from rigging gear to cleaning your catch, ensuring a hassle-free day focused on catching fish.
Fishing in Homosassa: Redfish
Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), known scientifically as Sciaenops ocellatus, belongs to the Sciaenidae family within the order Perciformes. These distinctive gamefish are easily recognized by their coppery-bronze coloration and characteristic black spot near the tail base. In Weeki Wachee waters this July, anglers target these hard-fighting fish in shallow waters where they cruise for prey along grass flats and oyster beds.
Redfish Overview
Redfish, also called Red Drum, are one of Florida's most sought-after inshore gamefish. Their popularity stems from their accessibility to shore-based anglers, aggressive feeding habits, and renowned fighting ability that includes powerful runs and dogged resistance. They're a favorite among light tackle enthusiasts and fly fishermen alike.
Redfish Habitat and Distribution
These adaptable fish inhabit various coastal environments including shallow flats, oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, seagrass beds, and occasionally venture into nearshore waters. In the Weeki Wachee area, redfish are commonly found around the many oyster bars and grass flats of the Bayport area, particularly during tidal movements when they actively feed.
Redfish Size and Weight
Adult redfish typically measure between 30 and 61 inches in length and weigh between 10 and 45 pounds. Trophy-sized specimens, often called "bull reds," can exceed 40 pounds. The monster 103-inch redfish mentioned in trip reports from Weeki Wachee is exceptionally large and would represent a once-in-a-lifetime catch for most anglers.
Redfish Diet and Behavior
Redfish are opportunistic feeders that primarily consume crustaceans like crabs and shrimp, as well as small baitfish including mullet, pinfish, and killifish. They often feed by tilting downward with their tails slightly out of the water (known as "tailing") as they root through bottom sediment for food. During summer months in Weeki Wachee, they're most active during early morning and evening hours.
Redfish Spawning Season
Spawning typically occurs from August through November in nearshore coastal waters. During this period, large schools of breeding adults (bull reds) gather in passes and near coastal waters to reproduce. After spawning, juvenile redfish utilize estuaries as nursery habitat until reaching maturity around 3-4 years of age.
Redfish Fishing Techniques
Several effective methods work well for targeting redfish in Weeki Wachee waters. Sight fishing with light tackle is particularly productive in clear water conditions, allowing anglers to spot fish and make precision casts. Live baits such as pinfish, finger mullet, or shrimp are reliable options, while artificial lures including gold spoons, soft plastic jerkbaits, and weedless spoons produce well around structure. In July, anglers around Weeki Wachee find success fishing early mornings with topwater plugs worked along grass edges and oyster bars on incoming tides.
Redfish Is It Good to Eat?
Redfish is highly regarded as table fare, offering mild, sweet white flesh with medium flakiness. The meat is versatile for cooking, working well when grilled, blackened, or baked. It's a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids while containing relatively low levels of mercury compared to other marine species. In Florida, slot-size regulations help ensure sustainable harvesting of this valuable food fish.
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 artificial lures, gold spoons, soft plastic jerkbaits on jigheads, and weedless spoons work particularly well around the grass flats and oyster bars of Bayport.
Q: Where can I find Redfish near Weeki Wachee?
A: The flats and backwaters around Bayport Park are productive areas, particularly around oyster bars, creek mouths, and grass flats with good tidal flow. During summer, focus on depths of 1-4 feet, especially during moving tides.
Q: Is Redfish good to eat?
A: Yes, redfish is considered excellent table fare with a mild, sweet flavor and medium-firm texture. It's versatile for various cooking methods including grilling, blackening, or baking. Florida regulations typically allow harvest of slot-sized fish only (18-27 inches).
Q: When is the best time to catch Redfish in Weeki Wachee?
A: Early mornings and late afternoons during summer months like July offer prime fishing conditions. The best bite typically coincides with moving tides, particularly the first few hours of incoming or outgoing tides around the full and new moons.
Q: What tackle should I use for Redfish?
A: Medium-light to medium spinning gear with 10-20 lb test line works well. A 7-foot rod paired with a 3000-4000 size reel offers good casting distance and fighting power. For fly fishing, an 8-weight outfit with floating line is ideal for the flats.
Q: Do Redfish fight hard?
A: Yes, redfish are known for their powerful initial runs and dogged fighting stamina. Even smaller specimens put up impressive fights on appropriate tackle, making them a favorite sportfish among anglers visiting the Weeki Wachee area.
