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Trophy Redfish Caught Near Weeki Wachee Springs
Redfish Inshore in Weeki Wachee
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The Redfish (Sciaenops Ocellatus) belongs to the Sciaenidae family and Perciformes order, making it a cousin to other popular drum species. They're easily identified by their copper-bronze coloration and distinctive black spot near the tail. These powerful inshore game fish typically measure between 30 and 61 inches, weighing from 10 to 45 pounds when fully mature. - Redfish prefer shallow habitats including flats, backcountry, and nearshore waters with grassy bottoms. - They're known for their strong fights and are highly prized by anglers for both sport and table fare.
Fishing Guide by Guide Tim Stout in August
Meet your Guide Tim Stout
- Seize the Bay with the best Fishing Charter!
Summary
Sunday July brought perfect conditions for our 6-hour fishing charter in Weeki Wachee. Launching from Bayport Park Boat Ramp, we headed into productive inshore waters with clear skies overhead. This Weeki Wachee fishing trip delivered exceptional redfish action, with our highlight being an impressive 103-inch redfish that put up an unforgettable fight. We mixed techniques between live bait fishing and exciting topwater action, targeting the flats and backcountry areas where these powerful gamefish patrol. The waters around Homosassa and Weeki Wachee consistently produce quality inshore fishing opportunities, especially during summer when redfish are actively feeding. Whether you're an experienced angler or new to fishing charters, our guided trips provide everything needed for a successful day on the water targeting these prized inshore species.
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 the Weeki Wachee and Homosassa waters. All fishing equipment, tackle, and licenses are included, allowing you to focus entirely on the fishing experience. This trip accommodates up to 2 guests, making it perfect for small groups or solo anglers looking for personalized attention. Departing from Bayport Park Boat Ramp, you'll explore prime inshore spots known for consistent action. Early morning departures are recommended for the best fishing conditions. Book your charter today to secure your spot with this experienced local guide.
Highlights of 6-Hour Guided Trip in Weeki Wachee – Target Cobia, Snook & Sharks
This guided inshore fishing trip delivers exceptional variety with opportunities for multiple species including redfish, snook, sharks and more. The shallow waters around Weeki Wachee offer ideal habitat for trophy redfish, as evidenced by our recent 103-inch catch that provided an incredible battle. You'll experience diverse fishing techniques from live bait presentations to exciting topwater action, all tailored to current conditions and fish behavior.
The Bayport area provides consistent action throughout summer months with redfish being particularly active. Your guide brings local knowledge of feeding patterns and productive spots that tourists simply can't find on their own. All gear is provided including quality rods, reels and the most effective baits for the target species, ensuring even beginners can experience success on the water.
Local Species Insights: Redfish
Redfish in Weeki Wachee thrive in the shallow, grassy flats and mangrove-lined backcountry areas where they hunt for crabs, shrimp and small baitfish. During summer months, they can be found in depths ranging from 1-4 feet, often revealing their presence with visible tails breaking the surface as they feed on the bottom. The clear waters around Homosassa and Weeki Wachee make sight fishing highly effective – look for their copper-bronze coloration and distinctive tail spots.
For the best results, we typically fish live bait near structure during morning hours when the water is cooler. As the day progresses, switching to artificial lures like weedless spoons or topwater plugs can trigger explosive strikes. These powerful fish are known for their strong initial runs, so medium to heavy tackle is recommended to handle their fighting ability. The summer months provide consistent action, making this prime time to target these inshore favorites.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
For your 6-hour charter, plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time at Bayport Park Boat Ramp. Wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather, including a light jacket for morning runs and sun protection (hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen). While all fishing equipment is provided, you'll want to bring snacks, drinks, a camera for documenting your catch, and any personal items needed for a day on the water.
This trip accommodates 2 guests comfortably, making it ideal for couples, parent-child outings, or fishing with a friend. The specialized flats boat allows access to shallow water areas where larger vessels can't reach – perfect for targeting redfish in their natural habitat. Your guide handles all the technical aspects, allowing you to focus solely on enjoying the fishing experience and creating lasting memories on the water.
Fishing in Homosassa: Redfish
The Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as Red Drum, is a prized game fish belonging to the Sciaenidae family and Perciformes order. Distinguished by its copper-bronze body color and one or more black spots near the tail, this species has become an angler favorite in Weeki Wachee waters during summer months for both its fighting ability and delicious flavor.
Redfish Overview
Redfish are robust, powerful fish with a subterminal mouth (positioned under the snout) designed for bottom feeding. Their bodies are elongated and slightly compressed, with a continuous dorsal fin divided into spiny and soft portions. The distinctive eyespot near the tail is thought to confuse predators, making them target the wrong end of the fish.
Redfish Habitat and Distribution
These versatile fish inhabit various coastal environments from Massachusetts to Mexico, with particularly strong populations along the Gulf Coast. In Weeki Wachee, they thrive in shallow grass flats, mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, and creek mouths. They're often found in waters ranging from 1-15 feet deep, with juveniles preferring protected estuaries and adults venturing into deeper nearshore waters.
Redfish Size and Weight
Typical redfish caught in inshore waters measure between 30-61 inches, with weights ranging from 10-45 pounds. Slot-size fish (those legal to harvest in most areas) generally fall between 18-27 inches, depending on local regulations. Bull reds, the larger specimens often caught nearshore, can exceed 40 pounds and provide exceptional angling challenges.
Redfish Diet and Behavior
Redfish are opportunistic feeders, primarily consuming crustaceans (crabs and shrimp), mollusks, and small baitfish. They often feed by tipping their heads down to root through bottom sediment, a behavior that sometimes produces visible "tailing" where their caudal fin breaks the water's surface. They're most active during dawn and dusk, though in Weeki Wachee's summer months, early morning fishing typically produces the best results.
Redfish Spawning Season
Spawning typically occurs from August through November in offshore waters, when water temperatures range from 70-75°F. During this period, large schools of breeding redfish gather in coastal areas before moving offshore. Following spawning, juvenile redfish utilize estuaries as nursery grounds until reaching maturity around 3-5 years of age.
Redfish Fishing Techniques
In Weeki Wachee waters, several techniques prove effective for targeting redfish. Live bait fishing with pinfish, finger mullet, or shrimp works exceptionally well when rigged on a 3/0 circle hook with a light leader. Artificial lures like gold spoons, soft plastic jerkbaits in natural colors, and weedless topwater plugs all produce strikes when worked slowly across grass flats. In July, anglers around Weeki Wachee find redfish congregating around deeper potholes in grass flats during the heat of the day, making these prime targets during midday fishing.
Redfish Is It Good to Eat?
Redfish offers excellent table fare with firm, white flesh that has a mild, sweet flavor with medium flakiness. It's versatile for cooking methods including grilling, blackening, baking and frying. The meat contains beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and is relatively low in mercury compared to other larger game fish. For best results, smaller specimens (under 30 inches) generally provide better eating quality than larger, older fish.
Redfish Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for redfish in Weeki Wachee?
A: Live pinfish, finger mullet, and fresh-cut ladyfish chunks are top natural baits in this area. For artificial lures, gold spoons, Gulp! shrimp, and weedless jerkbaits in natural colors consistently produce strikes.
Q: Where can I find redfish near Weeki Wachee?
A: Focus on mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, creek mouths, and grass flats with potholes, particularly during moving tides. The Bayport and Homosassa areas hold excellent redfish populations year-round.
Q: Is redfish good to eat?
A: Yes, redfish is considered excellent table fare with a mild, sweet flavor and medium-firm white flesh. It's versatile for various cooking methods, with blackening and grilling being particularly popular preparations.
Q: When is the best time to catch redfish in Florida?
A: While redfish can be caught year-round, the fall months (September-November) typically offer the best action as redfish school up for their spawning run. However, summer months provide excellent opportunities, especially during early morning and evening feeding periods.
Q: What size redfish can I keep in Florida?
A: Florida regulations typically allow harvest of redfish between 18-27 inches total length, with specific bag limits varying by region. Always check current regulations before your trip as these can change.
Q: What pound test line should I use for redfish?
A: For inshore redfish, 15-20 pound braided line with a 20-30 pound fluorocarbon leader provides an ideal balance of strength and sensitivity. When targeting larger bull reds, consider increasing to 30-40 pound test.
