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Caught a trophy redfish in Weeki Wachee
Redfish Fishing in Weeki Wachee
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Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus) are one of Florida's most popular gamefish, known for their powerful fights and beautiful bronze coloration. These fish belong to the Sciaenidae family and can be found throughout the Gulf Coast, particularly in the shallow flats of Weeki Wachee. - Redfish typically measure between 30-61 inches and weigh 10-45 pounds. - They're identified by their distinctive spot(s) near the tail. - They prefer shallow water habitats like flats, backcountry, and nearshore areas.
Fishing Guide by Guide Tim Stout in August
Meet your Guide Tim Stout
- Seize the Bay with the best Fishing Charter!
Summary
Friday August brought perfect conditions for Weeki Wachee fishing with Seize The Bay Fishing Charters. We launched at sunrise to target redfish on the flats around Spring Hill, making the most of the partly cloudy weather that kept the August heat manageable. Sight fishing proved incredibly productive, with the highlight being an impressive 82-inch redfish—a true trophy catch that made for an unforgettable morning charter. The shallow flats around Weeki Wachee offer some of Florida's best inshore fishing opportunities, with redfish, snook, and trout providing consistent action for anglers of all skill levels. Whether you're looking to learn flats fishing techniques or just enjoy a productive day on the water, our half-day morning trips provide the perfect balance of instruction and action. All tackle and gear is provided, so you can focus on the thrill of Florida's legendary redfish fishing.
Fishing Charter with Tim Stout – Rates & Booking
Guide Tim Stout of Seize The Bay Fishing Charters on Friday August offers half-day morning trips that are perfect for targeting trophy redfish on the flats. Our charters typically run 4-5 hours, launching early to take advantage of prime feeding times. All fishing equipment, tackle, and licenses are provided, so you can focus on the fishing experience. We welcome anglers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced fishermen looking to refine their flats fishing techniques. Booking is simple—just reach out to reserve your date, and prepare for some of the best redfish action Weeki Wachee has to offer.
Highlights of this Trip
This Weeki Wachee redfish charter delivered exceptional results with sight fishing techniques on the shallow flats. We targeted areas where redfish are known to feed, carefully stalking these powerful fish in just 1-4 feet of water. The morning conditions were ideal, with partly cloudy skies providing perfect visibility for spotting the telltale signs of feeding reds.
The crown jewel of our trip was landing an 82-inch redfish—a true monster by any standard that put up an incredible fight. This trophy catch showcases the quality of fishing available in Weeki Wachee's waters. Whether you're an experienced angler or new to saltwater fishing, these shallow water redfish opportunities provide both the challenge and excitement that makes Florida fishing famous.
Local Species Insights: Redfish
Redfish in Weeki Wachee thrive in the shallow flats environment where they cruise for crustaceans, small baitfish, and crabs. These bronze-colored predators are best targeted during rising or falling tides when they move onto the flats to feed. In summer months like August, early morning trips yield the best results before the Florida heat drives fish to deeper water.
When targeting redfish in these waters, light tackle and stealthy approaches are essential. We've found that artificial lures like soft plastics on jigheads work exceptionally well, though live bait like pinfish or shrimp can be deadly when redfish are being selective. The shallow water fishing here allows for heart-pounding sight fishing opportunities where you can watch the fish respond to your presentation—an experience that keeps anglers coming back year after year.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
For your Weeki Wachee fishing charter, we recommend wearing comfortable clothes, polarized sunglasses, and sun protection. Our boat is equipped with all the necessary safety gear and comfortable seating for a day on the water. We typically depart early morning to catch the best fishing conditions, so plan to arrive at the meeting point about 15 minutes before our scheduled departure time. Feel free to bring snacks, drinks, and a camera to document your catches. Our shallow-water skiff is perfectly designed for navigating the flats and getting you into prime redfish territory. With room for 2-3 anglers, the experience remains personalized and focused on putting you on fish.
Fishing in Homosassa: Redfish
The Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as Red Drum, belongs to the Sciaenidae family and Perciformes order. These iconic gamefish are immediately recognizable by their copper-bronze coloration and distinctive black spot(s) near the tail. In Weeki Wachee waters this August, redfish provide some of the most exciting sight fishing opportunities as they cruise the shallow flats in search of prey.
Redfish Overview
Redfish are one of Florida's most prized inshore species, valued for both their sporting qualities and table fare. They're known for powerful runs when hooked, often stripping line from reels as they head for deeper water. Their popularity among anglers stems from their accessibility in shallow waters and their willingness to take a variety of baits and lures.
Redfish Habitat and Distribution
These bronze warriors inhabit coastal waters from Massachusetts to Mexico, but are particularly abundant along Florida's Gulf Coast. Around Weeki Wachee, redfish frequent shallow grass flats, oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and creek mouths. They prefer waters ranging from 1-4 feet deep, especially during high tides when they move onto flats to feed on crustaceans and small baitfish.
Redfish Size and Weight
While most redfish caught inshore range from 30-40 inches and weigh 10-20 pounds, they can grow much larger. Trophy specimens can reach up to 61 inches and weigh as much as 45 pounds. The Florida state record exceeds 50 pounds, showing the impressive growth potential of these fish when they reach offshore waters as mature adults.
Redfish Diet and Behavior
Redfish are opportunistic predators that feed primarily on crabs, shrimp, small baitfish, and other crustaceans. They often give away their location by creating "tailing" displays—their tails breaking the water's surface as they root through bottom sediment for food. During summer months, they're most active during early morning and evening hours when water temperatures are cooler.
Redfish Spawning Season
Spawning activity for redfish peaks from August through October in Florida waters. During this period, mature redfish form large schools and move to nearshore areas with appropriate salinity levels. These spawning aggregations can contain thousands of fish and produce the characteristic drumming sound that gives them their "drum" name, created when males vibrate muscles against their swim bladders.
Redfish Fishing Techniques
Several techniques prove effective for redfish in Weeki Wachee waters. Sight fishing with light tackle is perhaps the most exciting method, using soft plastic lures on 1/4 oz jigheads or weedless rigged swimbaits. Gold spoons are also deadly effective when redfish are actively feeding. In August, anglers around Weeki Wachee find concentrating on points and potholes in grass flats during the falling tide particularly productive, as fish funnel through these areas while moving off the flats.
Redfish Is It Good to Eat?
Redfish are excellent table fare, offering white, firm, mild-flavored fillets with moderate fat content. They're best prepared blackened, grilled, or baked, and pair wonderfully with citrus-based sauces. Nutritionally, redfish provide a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids while containing relatively low mercury levels compared to other gamefish, making them a healthy choice for occasional consumption.
Redfish Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for redfish in Weeki Wachee?
A: Live shrimp, pinfish, and cut mullet are top natural baits. For artificial lures, gold spoons, soft plastic paddletails in natural colors, and scented jerkbaits are consistently productive, especially when worked slowly along bottom structure.
Q: Where can I find redfish near Weeki Wachee?
A: Focus on grass flats in 1-4 feet of water, especially areas with potholes or adjacent to deeper channels. Mangrove shorelines during high tide and oyster bars during falling tides are prime locations, particularly in areas with moving water.
Q: Is redfish good to eat?
A: Yes, redfish is excellent table fare with white, flaky meat and a mild flavor that's not too fishy. It's best prepared with the skin off and works well with a variety of cooking methods including blackening, grilling, and baking.
Q: When is the best time to catch redfish?
A: Early morning and late afternoon provide peak feeding periods, especially during summer months. Tidal movement is crucial—the first few hours of falling tide often produce the best action as fish move off flats through predictable channels.
Q: How big do redfish get in Florida waters?
A: While inshore redfish typically range from 20-40 inches, they can grow much larger. "Bull" redfish over 40 inches and 30+ pounds are caught regularly in deeper nearshore waters, with the Florida record exceeding 50 pounds.
Q: What's the difference between sight fishing and blind casting for redfish?
A: Sight fishing involves visually locating fish before casting, looking for tails, wakes, or the copper color of fish in clear water. Blind casting covers water methodically when conditions aren't ideal for spotting fish. Both methods work in Weeki Wachee, though sight fishing provides the most thrilling experience when conditions permit.
