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Caught a monster redfish in Weeki Wachee
Redfish fishing in Weeki Wachee, FL
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The Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus) is one of Florida's most prized gamefish, known for its powerful fights and beautiful copper-bronze coloration. These fish can grow to impressive sizes in the Weeki Wachee area, with specimens ranging from 30 to 61 inches and weighing between 10 and 45 pounds. - Redfish have a distinctive black spot near their tail that helps anglers identify them. - They prefer shallow water habitats including flats, backcountry areas, and nearshore waters. - The 82-inch redfish caught on our recent trip represents an exceptional trophy specimen.
Fishing Guide by Guide Tim Stout in August
Meet your Guide Tim Stout
- Seize the Bay with the best Fishing Charter!
Summary
Experience the thrill of sight fishing for redfish on the flats around Weeki Wachee with Seize The Bay Fishing Charters. Our Friday August trips target monster redfish in the productive waters near Spring Hill, where trophy catches like our recent 82-inch beast are possible. Guide Tim Stout specializes in flats fishing techniques that put you on fish consistently, whether you're an experienced angler or just starting out. We provide all necessary gear and focus on creating a personalized fishing experience tailored to your skill level. Early morning launches maximize your chances at the best redfish action while avoiding the summer heat. With shallow water fishing at its prime right now, there's never been a better time to book your half-day charter in Weeki Wachee.
Fishing Charter with Tim Stout – Rates & Booking
Guide Tim Stout of Seize The Bay Fishing Charters on Friday August offers half-day morning trips perfect for targeting trophy redfish. Our charters launch at sunrise to take advantage of the best fishing conditions and cooler temperatures. All necessary fishing gear, tackle, and licenses are included in your trip. We specialize in sight fishing and flats fishing techniques that consistently produce quality catches in the Weeki Wachee area. Our expertise puts you in the right place at the right time to hook into monster redfish like the 82-inch trophy recently caught on our charter.
Highlights of The Best Experience
The highlight of our Weeki Wachee fishing charters is the opportunity to target massive redfish in shallow water. The flats around Spring Hill provide the perfect habitat for these powerful gamefish, creating exciting sight fishing opportunities where you can spot your target before making the perfect cast. Our recent trip resulted in landing an incredible 82-inch redfish – a true monster that provided an unforgettable battle and photo opportunity.
As a local guide with extensive knowledge of these waters, Tim Stout knows exactly where to find the most productive fishing spots depending on tides, weather conditions, and time of year. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques or simply want to enjoy a productive day on the water, our personalized approach ensures each trip is tailored to your experience level and goals.
Local Species Insights: Redfish
Redfish in the Weeki Wachee area thrive in the shallow flats and backcountry waters. These bronze-colored bruisers are known for their distinctive spot near the tail and their incredible fighting ability. When targeting redfish in our local waters, we focus on sight fishing in depths of 1-4 feet, looking for signs like pushing water, tailing, or mudding as they forage on the bottom.
The most effective techniques include using soft plastic lures on light jigheads, gold spoons, or live bait like pinfish or cut mullet. Early mornings provide the best opportunity to catch these fish, as they're often more active and feeding in shallower water before the heat of the day pushes them deeper. The redfish around Weeki Wachee grow to impressive sizes, with specimens over 30 inches common in our waters.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Your fishing trip with Seize The Bay Fishing Charters begins with an early morning launch to maximize fishing time during optimal conditions. We recommend wearing light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a hat for sun protection. Our boat comfortably accommodates smaller groups, making it perfect for a personalized fishing experience. All fishing equipment is provided, including quality rods, reels, tackle, and bait. We'll take care of cleaning your catch if you'd like to keep fish for dinner (within regulations), or we're happy to practice catch and release to conserve our fishery for future generations.
Fishing in Homosassa: Redfish
The Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as Red Drum, belongs to the Sciaenidae family within the order Perciformes. This iconic gamefish is immediately recognizable by its copper-bronze body color and distinctive black spot (sometimes multiple spots) 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 the most sought-after inshore gamefish along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of the United States. Anglers prize them for their strong fights, willingness to take a variety of baits and lures, and their excellent table fare. Their popularity has led to dedicated conservation efforts in many states, including size and bag limits to protect breeding stock.
Redfish Habitat and Distribution
These versatile fish can be found in various coastal environments from Massachusetts to Mexico, with particularly strong populations along the Gulf Coast. They prefer shallow waters ranging from 1 to 4 feet deep, including grass flats, oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and sandy bottoms. Around Weeki Wachee, they're commonly found in the flats and backcountry areas, especially during incoming tides when they move into shallow water to feed.
Redfish Size and Weight
Adult redfish typically measure between 30 and 61 inches in length and weigh from 10 to 45 pounds. Juvenile redfish (often called "rat reds") are commonly caught inshore, while larger breeding-size adults (bull reds) are often found near passes and in nearshore waters. The monster 82-inch redfish mentioned in our trip report represents an exceptional trophy specimen well above average size.
Redfish Diet and Behavior
Redfish are opportunistic feeders that primarily target crustaceans like shrimp and crabs, as well as small baitfish such as mullet, pinfish, and menhaden. They often give themselves away by "tailing" (feeding with their tails breaking the surface) or creating "nervous water" as they push through shallow areas. They tend to be more active during moving tides, particularly during early morning and late afternoon hours.
Redfish Spawning Season
In Florida waters, redfish typically spawn from late summer through fall, with peak activity usually occurring from August through October. During this time, larger breeding fish gather in coastal waters and near passes to form spawning aggregations. Water temperature is a key factor, with spawning typically occurring when water temperatures range from 70-80°F. After spawning, many larger redfish move offshore while juveniles remain in estuaries and backcountry areas.
Redfish Fishing Techniques
For targeting redfish in the Weeki Wachee area, several approaches work well. Sight fishing with light tackle is particularly effective on clear, calm days when you can spot fish cruising or tailing on the flats. Soft plastic lures rigged on 1/4 oz jigheads, gold spoons, or weedless-rigged swimbaits all produce consistent results. Live bait options include pinfish, finger mullet, or cut mullet. In August, anglers around Weeki Wachee find success fishing early mornings on the incoming tide around mangrove shorelines and oyster bars where redfish gather to feed before the water heats up.
Redfish Is It Good to Eat?
Redfish is considered excellent table fare with a mild, sweet flavor and medium-firm white flesh that lends itself to various cooking methods. It's particularly delicious blackened, grilled, or baked. The meat is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids while being relatively low in mercury compared to other gamefish. In Florida, slot-size redfish (18-27 inches) generally provide the best eating quality, while larger specimens are often better released to support breeding populations.
Redfish Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for redfish in Weeki Wachee?
A: The most effective baits include live pinfish, finger mullet, shrimp, and cut mullet. For artificial lures, gold spoons, soft plastic jerkbaits, and scented soft plastics like Gulp! shrimp produce consistent results on the flats.
Q: Where can I find redfish near Weeki Wachee?
A: Look for redfish around mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. They often feed in water 1-4 feet deep, particularly during incoming tides when they move onto the flats to hunt for prey.
Q: Is redfish good to eat?
A: Yes, redfish is excellent table fare with a mild, sweet flavor and medium-firm white flesh. It's versatile for cooking and particularly delicious when blackened, grilled, or baked with light seasoning that doesn't overpower its natural flavor.
Q: When is the best time to catch redfish in Florida?
A: Redfish can be caught year-round in Florida, but fall months (September through November) typically offer the best action as water temperatures cool and fish become more active. In summer months like August, early morning trips provide the best opportunities before water temperatures rise.
Q: What tackle should I use for redfish?
A: A 7-foot medium-action spinning rod paired with a 3000-4000 size reel spooled with 10-20 lb braided line works well for most redfish situations. Use 20-30 lb fluorocarbon leader in clear water conditions.
Q: How can I identify a redfish?
A: Redfish have a distinctive copper-bronze body color with one or more black spots near the tail. They have a downturned mouth designed for bottom feeding, no barbels under the chin, and a slightly concave tail fin.
