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Caught a monster redfish in Weeki Wachee
Redfish Fishing in Weeki Wachee
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The Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus) is one of Florida's most prized inshore game fish, known for its strong fights and distinctive appearance. These bronze-colored predators are easily identified by the black spot near their tail, which serves as a defense mechanism by creating the illusion of an eye to confuse predators. - Redfish typically measure between 30-61 inches and weigh 10-45 pounds in Florida waters. - They prefer shallow habitats including flats, oyster bars, and backcountry areas. - Their copper-bronze coloration provides excellent camouflage in the grass flats of Weeki Wachee.
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 incredible redfish action on the Weeki Wachee flats with Seize The Bay Fishing Charters. We launched at sunrise to make the most of optimal tide conditions, focusing on sight fishing techniques in the shallow waters around Spring Hill. The partly cloudy skies provided perfect fishing weather as we targeted the local redfish population. The highlight was landing an impressive 82-inch bull red that put up a spectacular fight. These shallow water giants are what make Weeki Wachee fishing charters so popular, offering both novice and experienced anglers the thrill of sight casting to visible fish. All gear is provided on our guided fishing trips, allowing you to focus on the excitement of stalking trophy redfish across the grass flats.
Fishing Charter with Tim Stout – Rates & Booking
Guide Tim Stout of Seize The Bay Fishing Charters on Friday August offers half-day morning trips targeting the exceptional redfish population in Weeki Wachee's waters. Our charter packages include all the necessary fishing gear, licenses, and expert guidance to put you on trophy catches. These morning trips typically run 4-5 hours, providing the perfect amount of time to experience the best of what our local flats fishing has to offer. Early morning launches maximize your chances for redfish action when they're most active feeding on the flats. Whether you're new to sight fishing or an experienced angler, we tailor the experience to your skill level and interests.
Highlights of Weeki Wachee Flats Fishing
The Weeki Wachee area offers some of Florida's most productive sight fishing opportunities, with crystal clear waters allowing you to spot redfish from a distance. We focus on working the productive flats around Spring Hill, where redfish cruise the shallows in search of prey. The shallow water fishing here creates exciting visual opportunities as you can watch the fish respond to your presentation.
Our recent success with monster redfish measuring up to 82 inches demonstrates the trophy potential of these waters. The redfish in this area grow to impressive sizes and put up tremendous fights, making each hookup a memorable experience. The partly cloudy conditions we often encounter create ideal sight fishing scenarios, reducing glare on the water and improving visibility.
Local Species Insights: Redfish
Redfish in the Weeki Wachee area thrive in the shallow grass flats and oyster bars that characterize our local waters. These fish can be targeted year-round, but the summer months often provide consistent action as they patrol the flats in search of crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. Sight fishing is our preferred technique, allowing anglers to spot these bronze-colored predators before making targeted casts.
When fishing for redfish in our local waters, we typically use light to medium tackle with artificial lures that mimic their natural prey. Soft plastic jerkbaits, weedless spoons, and scented soft plastics all produce excellent results. For those who prefer natural bait, cut pinfish or live shrimp are nearly irresistible to hungry redfish. The thrill of watching a redfish track and strike your offering makes this one of the most exciting types of inshore fishing available.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Our fishing trips utilize specialized flats boats designed to access the shallowest water while providing a stable platform for casting. These vessels typically accommodate 1-2 anglers comfortably, making this an ideal outing for individuals or small groups wanting personalized attention. We recommend wearing light, breathable clothing, polarized sunglasses, and sun protection for your comfort on the water. Morning departures are standard, typically meeting at the dock around sunrise to capitalize on the best fishing conditions and cooler temperatures.
Fishing in Homosassa: Redfish
The Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as Red Drum, belongs to the Sciaenidae family within the order Perciformes. These iconic game fish are prized for their powerful fights and are easily identified by their distinctive copper-bronze coloration and characteristic black spot(s) near the tail. In Weeki Wachee waters this August, anglers have been reporting exceptional catches as the redfish patrol the shallow flats in search of prey.
Redfish Overview
Redfish are one of the most sought-after inshore game fish along the Gulf Coast. Their popularity stems from their accessibility to anglers fishing from boats, piers, or even shorelines, as well as their reputation for putting up memorable fights when hooked. These resilient fish can thrive in various water conditions, making them available to anglers year-round.
Redfish Habitat and Distribution
Redfish inhabit coastal waters from Massachusetts to Mexico, with particularly strong populations along the Gulf Coast. They prefer shallow, protected waters including estuaries, bays, flats, and oyster bars. Around Weeki Wachee, they're commonly found on grass flats, around mangrove shorelines, and near oyster bars where they feed on crustaceans and small baitfish.
Redfish Size and Weight
These powerful game fish typically range from 30 to 61 inches in length and can weigh between 10 and 45 pounds. Juvenile redfish (often called "rat reds") are commonly caught inshore, while the larger "bull reds" are often found in slightly deeper waters or migrating through passes during spawning season.
Redfish Diet and Behavior
Redfish are opportunistic feeders that primarily hunt crustaceans, small baitfish, and mollusks. They often give themselves away while feeding, as their tails break the water's surface when they tip down to forage in shallow water—a behavior known as "tailing." They tend to be most active during early morning and evening hours, especially on rising or falling tides.
Redfish Spawning Season
Redfish typically spawn from late summer through fall, with peak activity often occurring in August through October. During this time, large breeding-age fish gather in coastal waters and near passes. In Florida waters, spawning typically occurs when water temperatures range from 70-75°F, with females releasing up to two million eggs that are then fertilized by males.
Redfish Fishing Techniques
Light to medium tackle works well for redfish, with 10-20 pound test line being standard. Artificial lures like soft plastic shrimp imitations, gold spoons, and scented jerkbaits are highly effective. Live bait options include pinfish, mullet, shrimp, and blue crabs. In August, anglers around Weeki Wachee find success sight casting to redfish on the flats during incoming tides, particularly in the early morning hours when the water is calm and visibility is good.
Redfish Is It Good to Eat?
Redfish is considered excellent table fare with a mild, sweet flavor and medium-firm white flesh. It's versatile enough to be prepared in various ways including blackened, grilled, or baked. The meat is relatively lean but moist, with good levels of omega-3 fatty acids and high-quality protein. Many anglers prefer to harvest slot-size fish (typically 18-27 inches in Florida) for the best eating quality.
Redfish Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for redfish in Weeki Wachee?
A: Live shrimp, cut pinfish, and cut mullet are top natural baits for redfish in the Weeki Wachee area. For artificial lures, gold spoons, soft plastic shrimp imitations, and weedless jerkbaits in natural colors are highly effective.
Q: Where can I find redfish near Weeki Wachee?
A: Redfish in the Weeki Wachee area are commonly found on shallow grass flats, around oyster bars, along mangrove shorelines, and in creek mouths. During higher tides, they often push up into the mangroves to feed.
Q: Is redfish good to eat?
A: Yes, redfish is considered excellent eating with a mild, sweet flavor. The white, flaky meat works well with many cooking methods including blackening, grilling, and baking. Smaller "slot-sized" fish typically offer the best eating quality.
Q: When is the best time to catch redfish?
A: The best time to target redfish is during moving tides, particularly the first few hours of incoming or outgoing tides. Early morning and evening provide prime feeding times, especially when these coincide with tidal movement.
Q: What size redfish can I keep in Florida?
A: Florida regulations typically allow harvest of redfish between 18-27 inches total length, with a daily bag limit of one or two fish per person depending on the specific region. Always check current regulations before fishing as they may change.
Q: How do you sight fish for redfish?
A: Sight fishing for redfish requires polarized sunglasses, calm conditions, and a stealthy approach. Look for bronze-colored shapes, tailing activity, or pushing water in shallow areas. Cast well ahead of the fish's path and retrieve your bait or lure so it intersects with their direction of travel.
