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Caught a Trophy Redfish in Weeki Wachee
Redfish Fishing in Weeki Wachee
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The Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus) is a member of the Sciaenidae family and Perciformes order, making it a cousin to other drum species that can produce drumming sounds by vibrating muscles against their swim bladder. These powerful inshore gamefish typically measure between 30-61 inches in length and weigh between 10-45 pounds, with the 82-inch specimen caught on this trip being truly exceptional. - Redfish prefer shallow water habitats including flats, backcountry areas, and nearshore zones where they hunt for crustaceans and small fish. - They're recognizable by their copper-bronze coloration and characteristic black spot on the tail, which helps confuse predators about which end is the head.
Fishing Guide by Guide Tim Stout in August
Meet your Guide Tim Stout
- Seize the Bay with the best Fishing Charter!
Summary
Summer fishing in Weeki Wachee brings incredible action on the flats, especially for trophy redfish. This Friday August trip with Seize The Bay Fishing Charters delivered exactly that - an 82-inch monster redfish that put up an epic battle. We launched at sunrise to make the most of perfect conditions, with partly cloudy skies providing relief from the August heat. The morning tide was ideal for working the Spring Hill flats, where sight fishing and flats fishing techniques paid off in a big way. Whether you're an experienced angler or newcomer to inshore fishing, these local waters offer some of Florida's best redfish opportunities. Our half-day morning charter includes all the tackle and expertise you need to target these powerful gamefish that make Weeki Wachee a prime fishing destination.
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. These 4-hour charters include all the necessary fishing gear, from rods and reels to bait and tackle. As a licensed fishing guide with extensive local knowledge, Tim specializes in sight fishing and flats fishing techniques that consistently produce results in the Weeki Wachee waters. Trips typically begin early morning to take advantage of optimal fishing conditions and cooler temperatures, especially during summer months. Whether you're an experienced angler or new to inshore fishing, these charters are tailored to your skill level, with personalized instruction available throughout your time on the water.
Highlights of this Fishing Trip
This Summer fishing trip in Weeki Wachee delivered exceptional results with an incredible 82-inch redfish – a true trophy catch and the highlight of our day. The partly cloudy conditions created perfect visibility for sight fishing the flats, allowing us to spot and target these powerful gamefish effectively. The morning tide movement around the Spring Hill flats created ideal feeding conditions, triggering aggressive strikes that made for exciting battles.
Using specialized flats fishing techniques, we were able to approach the fish without spooking them, presenting our baits naturally to entice even the most cautious redfish. The shallow water environment makes for spectacular visual fishing, where you can often see the take happen right before your eyes – an experience that keeps anglers coming back to Weeki Wachee's productive waters time and again.
Local Species Insights: Redfish
Redfish in the Weeki Wachee area thrive in the shallow flats and backcountry waters, making them perfect targets for sight fishing and light tackle approaches. These copper-colored gamefish with their distinctive tail spots are known for powerful runs and dogged fights, especially when hooked in shallow water. During summer months, redfish in this region often gather in schools, providing opportunities for multiple hookups when you locate them.
The best techniques for Weeki Wachee redfish include drifting live bait across the flats, working soft plastic lures along oyster bars, or sight-casting to cruising fish in clear water. Local anglers find success with gold spoons, scented soft plastics, and live offerings like pinfish or shrimp. The tides play a crucial role in redfish behavior here, with the last hours of falling tide and first of incoming often producing the most consistent action as fish concentrate in deeper potholes and channel edges.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
When booking with Seize The Bay Fishing Charters, you'll be fishing aboard a specialized flats boat designed to navigate the shallow waters where trophy redfish thrive. These vessels typically accommodate 1-3 anglers comfortably, ensuring everyone has plenty of fishing space. Morning trips usually launch around sunrise (between 6-7 AM depending on the season) to capitalize on cooler temperatures and active fish.
Wear light, breathable clothing and bring sun protection including hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. While all fishing tackle is provided, you may want to bring a camera to document your catch, along with snacks and drinks for the trip. Tim practices catch-and-release for most trophy redfish, ensuring these magnificent gamefish remain in the ecosystem for future anglers to enjoy while still providing plenty of photo opportunities with your prize catch.
Fishing in Homosassa: Redfish
The Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), also called Red Drum, belongs to the Sciaenidae family in the order Perciformes. These magnificent gamefish are instantly recognizable by their copper-bronze coloration and the distinctive black spot (sometimes multiple spots) near their tail. In Weeki Wachee waters this August, anglers target these prized fighters along the productive flats where they feed aggressively during summer months.
Redfish Overview
Redfish are one of Florida's most sought-after inshore gamefish, prized for their powerful fights and beautiful appearance. They're known for their copper to reddish-bronze backs that fade to white bellies, and the characteristic eyespot near their tails serves as a defense mechanism, confusing predators about which end is which.
Redfish Habitat and Distribution
These versatile fish thrive in various coastal environments including shallow flats, oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and seagrass beds. Around Weeki Wachee, they're commonly found in water depths of 1-4 feet, particularly around structure that provides both protection and feeding opportunities. Their range extends along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Massachusetts to Mexico.
Redfish Size and Weight
Adult redfish typically measure between 30 and 61 inches in length and weigh between 10 and 45 pounds. The spectacular 82-inch specimen caught in this charter represents an exceptional trophy, significantly larger than the average catch. Bull reds (mature adults) generally exceed 27 inches and provide the most challenging battles.
Redfish Diet and Behavior
Redfish are opportunistic feeders, primarily consuming crustaceans like shrimp and crabs, along with small baitfish and mullet. They often feed by tilting their bodies downward, tails sometimes breaking the surface (known as "tailing") as they root through bottom sediments for prey. During summer months, they may form schools in shallow water, creating excellent sight-fishing opportunities.
Redfish Spawning Season
Redfish typically spawn from late summer through fall when water temperatures range from 70-75°F. During August in Weeki Wachee, many mature fish begin gathering near passes and deeper channels in preparation for spawning. These fish often form large schools before moving offshore to spawn, with females releasing up to two million eggs that are fertilized externally.
Redfish Fishing Techniques
For Weeki Wachee redfish, sight fishing is extremely effective, especially on clear days when fish can be spotted cruising or tailing in shallow water. Gold spoons, scented soft plastics like Gulp! shrimp, and weedless-rigged live bait all produce consistent results. In August, focus on fishing the early morning hours when redfish are most active on the flats, targeting areas where deeper channels meet shallow grass flats during moving tides. Local anglers find particular success working oyster bars and mangrove shorelines during the first few hours of incoming tide.
Redfish Is It Good to Eat?
Redfish are excellent table fare, offering a mild, sweet flavor with medium-firm white flesh that holds up well to various cooking methods. They're particularly delicious when prepared blackened, grilled, or baked. The meat is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids while being relatively low in mercury compared to many other gamefish. However, many anglers practice catch-and-release with larger specimens to preserve the breeding stock.
Redfish Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for redfish in Weeki Wachee?
A: Live bait options like pinfish, finger mullet, and shrimp work exceptionally well, while artificial lures such as gold spoons, scented soft plastics, and shallow-running plugs are also highly effective, especially when worked slowly across the flats.
Q: Where can I find redfish near Weeki Wachee?
A: Concentrate on shallow grass flats, especially areas with potholes or sandy patches, during high tide. As the tide falls, look for redfish around oyster bars, channel edges, and deeper holes where they stage to ambush prey being swept out with the current.
Q: Is redfish good to eat?
A: Yes, redfish offers mild, sweet-flavored white meat that's versatile for various cooking methods. Smaller "slot-sized" fish (typically 18-27 inches, depending on local regulations) generally provide the best table fare, while larger specimens are often released to preserve breeding stock.
Q: When is the best time to catch redfish in Florida?
A: Redfish can be caught year-round in Florida waters, but many anglers consider fall (September through November) prime time as cooling water temperatures trigger increased feeding activity. In summer months like August, focus on early morning or evening fishing to avoid the midday heat when fish become less active.
Q: How do you identify a redfish?
A: Look for their distinctive copper-bronze coloration, one or more black spots near the tail, and downturned mouth adapted for bottom feeding. Their body shape is elongated and moderately compressed, with a characteristic high-humped back profile.
Q: What's the difference between a redfish and a red snapper?
A: Despite their similar names, these are entirely different species. Redfish (Red Drum) are inshore/nearshore fish with copper coloration and a tail spot, while Red Snapper are offshore reef fish with bright red coloration, pointed anal fin, and no tail spot. They also belong to different families and inhabit different ecosystems.
