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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 popular gamefish along the Gulf Coast of Florida, known for its strong fight and distinctive copper color. They're particularly abundant in the shallow flats around Weeki Wachee, where anglers can sight fish for them during summer months. - Redfish feature a characteristic black spot near the tail, sometimes having multiple spots. - They typically range from 30-61 inches in length and can weigh between 10-45 pounds. - They prefer shallow habitats including flats, backcountry areas, and nearshore waters.
Fishing Guide by Guide Tim Stout in August
Meet your Guide Tim Stout
- Seize the Bay with the best Fishing Charter!
Summary
Friday July brought Dylan and me out on the water for a Half Day Trip with Seize The Bay Fishing Charters in Weeki Wachee. We started early under partly cloudy skies, perfect conditions for sight fishing on the flats. Using a mix of techniques including live bait and topwater, we targeted redfish and landed a nice 25-inch specimen. The summer fishing in Weeki Wachee is hot right now, with active redfish providing great action. Tim's local knowledge of the Spring Hill waters put us right where we needed to be, making this charter perfect for both experienced anglers and beginners looking to learn sight fishing techniques. The shallow flats are producing consistently, with the cloudy conditions actually helping visibility for spotting those telltale signs of redfish activity.
Fishing Charter with Tim Stout – Rates & Booking
Guide Tim Stout of Seize The Bay Fishing Charters on Friday July offers inshore fishing trips targeting the productive flats around Weeki Wachee. Our Half Day Trip (AM) provides the perfect opportunity to get on the water early when the fish are most active. We provide all the necessary gear including quality rods, reels, and bait, so you can focus on the experience and landing that trophy redfish. Tim's extensive local knowledge of the Weeki Wachee waters ensures you'll be fishing the most productive spots based on current conditions and tides.
Highlights of Summer Redfish Trip
The partly cloudy skies during our trip created ideal conditions for sight fishing, reducing glare on the water and making it easier to spot redfish. We focused on shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water, where redfish cruise looking for prey. Using a combination of sight fishing, live bait fishing, and topwater techniques, we were able to adapt to what the fish preferred that day.
Our 25-inch redfish was the highlight of the trip, showcasing the quality of fish available in these waters. The summer months in Weeki Wachee provide some of the best opportunities to target these hard-fighting gamefish, and the early morning hours typically deliver the most consistent action.
Local Species Insights: Redfish
Redfish in Weeki Wachee can be found year-round, but summer offers particularly good fishing as they cruise the shallow flats feeding actively. These bronze-colored gamefish with their distinctive tail spot are ambush predators that love structure and shallow water. They can be caught using a variety of techniques, but sight fishing is particularly exciting as you can spot them before casting, often seeing their tails breaking the surface as they feed in shallow water.
For best results, target redfish during moving tides around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats. Early mornings provide not only cooler temperatures but also typically calmer water conditions, making it easier to spot fish. During summer in Weeki Wachee, these fish are particularly active and willing to strike topwater lures, creating explosive and memorable strikes.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Our fishing charters accommodate up to 3 anglers comfortably. We recommend wearing weather-appropriate clothing, polarized sunglasses, and sun protection. Morning trips typically begin around sunrise to take advantage of the best fishing conditions, when redfish are most active. The shallow-water boats we use are perfectly designed for navigating the flats around Weeki Wachee, allowing us to access areas where larger boats can't go. We prioritize both comfort and safety on the water, ensuring you have not only a productive fishing day but also an enjoyable experience.
Fishing in Homosassa: Redfish
Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as Red Drum, belongs to the Sciaenidae family in the order Perciformes. These copper-colored gamefish are instantly recognizable by their distinctive black spot near the tail—sometimes featuring multiple spots—and are prized by anglers in Weeki Wachee waters this July for both their fighting ability and table fare. Their powerful runs and tendency to feed in shallow water make them an exciting target for sight fishing enthusiasts.
Redfish Overview
Redfish are one of the most sought-after inshore gamefish along the Gulf Coast of Florida. With their bronze to copper-colored backs transitioning to white bellies, these fish are beautiful and powerful fighters that make them highly prized by both recreational and tournament anglers. Their popularity stems from their accessibility in shallow waters and their aggressive feeding habits.
Redfish Habitat and Distribution
Redfish thrive in various coastal environments including flats, backcountry marshes, oyster bars, and nearshore waters. In the Weeki Wachee area, they're commonly found around mangrove shorelines, seagrass flats, and oyster bars where they search for prey. They're adaptable to different salinity levels, which allows them to move between freshwater and saltwater environments, making them available year-round in Florida waters.
Redfish Size and Weight
Typical redfish in the Weeki Wachee area range from 30 to 61 inches in length, with weights varying from 10 to 45 pounds. The average catch for inshore anglers is usually in the 20-30 inch range, weighing 5-8 pounds, though larger specimens are frequently encountered. Florida regulations typically include slot size limits to protect breeding stock.
Redfish Diet and Behavior
Redfish are opportunistic predators that feed on crustaceans, small fish, and mollusks. They're often spotted with their tails up (tailing) while feeding on bottom-dwelling organisms in shallow water. They're most active during moving tides, particularly at dawn and dusk, though they can be caught throughout the day. Their feeding behavior creates telltale wakes and surface disturbances that experienced anglers can spot from a distance.
Redfish Spawning Season
In Florida waters, redfish typically spawn from late August through October when water temperatures are optimal. During spawning season, larger breeding fish (often called bull reds) gather in coastal waters and passes. These breeding aggregations can create excellent fishing opportunities, though conservation-minded anglers practice catch and release with these important spawning fish.
Redfish Fishing Techniques
For successful redfish fishing in Weeki Wachee, three approaches stand out. First, sight fishing with light tackle and artificial lures like gold spoons or soft plastics is extremely effective in clear, shallow water. Second, live bait fishing with pinfish, shrimp, or cut bait works well around structure and deeper flats. Third, topwater lures early in the morning create explosive strikes that are unforgettable. In July, anglers around Weeki Wachee find redfish concentrating on shallow flats during the cooler morning hours, often retreating to slightly deeper water as the day heats up.
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 higher fat content than some other inshore species, giving it a rich, buttery taste. It's versatile for cooking—excellent blackened, grilled, or baked. Nutritionally, it's a good source of lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and various minerals, with relatively low mercury levels compared to larger predatory fish.
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 redfish in the Weeki Wachee area. For artificial lures, gold spoons, weedless soft plastics, and topwater plugs are consistently productive, especially during summer months.
Q: Where can I find redfish near Weeki Wachee?
A: Target shallow flats (1-3 feet deep) with mixed bottom structure, areas around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and areas with good tidal flow. During summer, focus on slightly deeper water during the heat of the day and shallow areas during mornings and evenings.
Q: Is redfish good to eat?
A: Yes, redfish is considered excellent eating with a mild, sweet flavor and medium-firm texture. It's versatile for many cooking methods including grilling, blackening, and baking. Most anglers prefer fish in the slot size range for the best taste and texture.
Q: When is the best time to catch redfish?
A: In Weeki Wachee, redfish can be caught year-round, but summer through fall offers consistent action. The best daily times are typically during moving tides, especially early mornings and late afternoons when they're actively feeding on the flats.
Q: What tackle should I use for redfish?
A: Medium-light to medium spinning tackle with 10-20 lb test line works well for most redfish situations. A 7-foot rod provides good casting distance while maintaining sensitivity for detecting subtle strikes in shallow water.
Q: Are redfish and red snapper the same fish?
A: No, they're entirely different species. Redfish (Red Drum) are inshore fish in the drum family, while Red Snapper are offshore reef fish in the snapper family. They have different habitats, appearances, and regulations.
