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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 one of Florida's most prized inshore gamefish, known for its distinctive copper-bronze coloration and black spot near the tail. These powerful fighters are found throughout the Gulf Coast and are especially abundant in the shallow flats around Weeki Wachee. - Redfish typically measure 30-61 inches and weigh between 10-45 pounds. - They prefer shallow habitats including flats, backcountry waters, and nearshore areas. - The distinctive tail spot is thought to confuse predators by creating a false "eye" appearance.
Fishing Guide by Guide Tim Stout in August
Meet your Guide Tim Stout
- Seize the Bay with the best Fishing Charter!
Summary
Experience world-class redfish fishing in Weeki Wachee, FL with Seize The Bay Fishing Charters. Our Friday August fishing charters focus on the productive flats where trophy redfish prowl. Guide Tim Stout specializes in sight fishing techniques that put you on monster reds, including the 82-inch beast recently landed! Whether you're looking for morning half-day trips or customized experiences, we provide all the tackle and local expertise you need. The shallow water flats around Spring Hill offer incredible opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. Don't miss your chance to experience some of Florida's best inshore fishing - our early morning launches give you the perfect conditions to target these hard-fighting gamefish.
Fishing Charter with Tim Stout – Rates & Booking
Guide Tim Stout of Seize The Bay Fishing Charters on Friday August specializes in targeting trophy redfish on the flats around Weeki Wachee. Our half-day morning trips are perfectly timed to coincide with optimal tidal conditions when these prized gamefish are most active. We provide all necessary fishing equipment, including quality rods, reels, and the most effective live and artificial baits for the season. As a licensed fishing guide with extensive local knowledge, I'll put you on fish quickly using proven sight fishing and flats fishing techniques.
Highlights of The Best Experience
The shallow water flats around Weeki Wachee offer some of Florida's most exciting redfish action. Our recent trip with Skye produced an absolute monster redfish measuring 82 inches - a true trophy catch and the highlight of our day on the water! We focus on areas where these powerful fish feed, using specialized techniques that maximize your chances of landing that fish of a lifetime.
Early morning launches give us the advantage of calmer waters and active fish. The partly cloudy conditions provide breaks from the summer heat while creating the perfect environment for sight fishing. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to test your skills or a beginner wanting to learn the techniques of inshore fishing, our charters deliver an authentic Florida fishing experience.
Local Species Insights: Redfish
Redfish in Weeki Wachee thrive in the shallow flats ecosystem, where their copper-bronze coloration and distinctive tail spot make them both beautiful and recognizable. These powerful gamefish are known for their strong initial runs when hooked, often peeling line from your reel as they head for deeper water. In summer months, they can be found tailing in shallow water during early mornings, making them perfect targets for sight fishing.
The best technique for targeting these fish involves quietly poling across shallow flats, watching for signs of feeding activity like muds, wakes, or the golden flash of their sides. We'll use a combination of live bait and artificial lures depending on conditions, including soft plastics on jigheads which have been particularly effective recently. The redfish bite has been consistently strong, with the morning hours producing the most action.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Our fishing charters depart early morning from our convenient Weeki Wachee launch location. We recommend bringing sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a hat, light clothing, and a camera to capture your trophy catches. Our shallow-water skiff is perfectly designed for navigating the flats while providing a stable and comfortable fishing platform. We practice catch-and-release for oversized redfish to preserve the fishery, though slot-size fish can be kept if desired. Water and light snacks are provided, and we're happy to accommodate special requests with advance notice.
Fishing in Homosassa: Redfish
The Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), belonging to the Sciaenidae family and Perciformes order, is one of Florida's most iconic gamefish. These copper-bronze beauties are immediately recognizable by their distinctive black spot near the tail—often having multiple spots. 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 food.
Redfish Overview
Often called Red Drum, these prized sportfish are renowned for their strong fights and excellent table fare. They're a cornerstone species for inshore anglers throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coastlines, with Florida's west coast being particularly famous for quality redfish fishing.
Redfish Habitat and Distribution
Redfish thrive in diverse coastal environments including shallow flats, oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and seagrass beds. They're commonly found in water ranging from 1-4 feet deep around Weeki Wachee, though they also venture into nearshore waters and backcountry areas. These adaptable fish can tolerate a wide range of salinities, from brackish estuaries to full saltwater environments.
Redfish Size and Weight
Adult redfish typically measure between 30-61 inches in length and weigh anywhere from 10-45 pounds. The average "slot size" redfish (legal to harvest in Florida) runs about 18-27 inches, while trophy specimens exceeding 40 inches are not uncommon in the Weeki Wachee area, particularly during summer and fall seasons.
Redfish Diet and Behavior
These opportunistic feeders primarily consume crustaceans like shrimp and crabs, as well as small baitfish including mullet, pinfish, and finger mullet. Redfish are often spotted "tailing" in shallow water—their tails breaking the surface as they root through bottom sediment for food. They feed most actively during moving tides, especially during early morning and late afternoon hours.
Redfish Spawning Season
Redfish typically spawn from August through November in offshore waters, with peak activity in September and October. During this time, large breeding females (known as bull reds) gather in coastal passes and deeper nearshore waters. In summer months around Weeki Wachee, anglers often find pre-spawn redfish gathering in deeper flats and channel edges before their offshore migration.
Redfish Fishing Techniques
The most exciting way to target redfish is sight fishing on shallow flats using light tackle. Gold spoons, soft plastic jigs in white or new penny colors, and weedless-rigged artificial shrimp are all effective artificial lures. For live bait, pinfish, finger mullet, and shrimp are top producers. In August, anglers around Weeki Wachee find redfish concentrated around oyster bars and potholes in the flats during the first few hours after sunrise when water temperatures are coolest.
Redfish Is It Good to Eat?
Redfish is considered excellent table fare with a mild, sweet flavor and medium-firm white flesh that holds up well to various cooking methods. It's particularly delicious blackened, grilled, or broiled. The meat is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids while being relatively low in mercury compared to many other popular gamefish, making it a healthy choice when harvested within slot size limits.
Redfish Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for redfish in Weeki Wachee?
A: Live pinfish, finger mullet, and shrimp are top natural baits for Weeki Wachee redfish. For artificial lures, gold spoons, soft plastic jigs on 1/4oz jigheads, and scented shrimp imitations like Gulp! or DOA shrimp are consistently productive.
Q: Where can I find redfish near Weeki Wachee?
A: The shallow grass flats around Spring Hill and Weeki Wachee are prime redfish habitat. Look for them around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and potholes in the grass flats, especially during moving tides. Areas with mullet schools often hold redfish as well.
Q: Is redfish good to eat?
A: Yes, redfish is excellent eating with a mild, sweet flavor that's not overly "fishy." The white, flaky meat works well with various cooking methods, with blackening and grilling being particularly popular preparation styles.
Q: When is the best time to catch redfish in Florida?
A: Redfish can be caught year-round in Florida, but fall (September-November) typically offers the best action as schools gather for spawning. In summer months like August, early morning fishing produces the best results before water temperatures rise too high.
Q: What size redfish can I keep in Florida?
A: Florida regulations allow harvest of redfish between 18-27 inches total length, with a daily bag limit of one fish per person. Always check current regulations as they can change seasonally or by region.
Q: How do you identify a redfish?
A: Redfish are easily identified by their copper-bronze coloration and one or more black spots at the base of the tail. They have a downturned mouth and no barbels (unlike their relative the black drum), and large specimens develop a characteristic hump behind the head.
