Red Drum Regulations in Florida (2026)

Recreational red drum rules in Florida saltwater, as published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Last checked November 7, 2026.

Limits differ by area — the summary below is the first published rule; see every rule underneath.

Size limit

Slot Limit: Not less than 18" no more than 27" total length

Bag limit

Daily Bag Limit: 1 fish per person per day; 4 fish vessel limit"

Season

Season: Open year-round

Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date

Recreational Red Drum rules in Florida

Where: Panhandle Region
Size limit: Slot Limit: Not less than 18" no more than 27" total length
Bag limit: Daily Bag Limit: 1 fish per person per day; 4 fish vessel limit"
Season: Season: Open year-round

Legal Gear: hook and line, cast nets
Illegal Gear: Spearing (includes spearfishing, gigging and bowfishing, and snatch hooking) and/or use of multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited
The western boundary is located at the Florida-Alabama border and the region extends east near Alligator Point. Does not include all waters of the Ochlockonee Bay, the Ochlockonee River and its tributaries.
Bag limits apply in areas adjacent to fishing sites such as docks and parking lots
4 fish per person transport limit applies when traveling in a vehicle on land away from a fishing site.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
Captain and Crew bag limit prohibited while on a for-hire trip
Commercial harvest prohibited

Official source

Where: Big Bend Region
Size limit: Slot Limit: Not less than 18" no more than 27" total length
Bag limit: Daily Bag Limit: 1 fish per person per day; 4 fish vessel limit
Season: Season: Open year-round

Legal Gear: hook and line, cast nets
Illegal Gear: Spearing (includes spearfishing, gigging and bowfishing, and snatch hooking) and/or use of multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited
The western boundary is located near Alligator Point. Includes all waters of the Ochlockonee Bay, the Ochlockonee River and its tributaries. The region extends east and south to the Fred Howard Park, near the border of Pasco and Pinellas counties. This region includes all waters of the Anclote River and its tributaries.
Bag limits apply in areas adjacent to fishing sites such as docks and parking lots
4 fish per person transport limit applies when traveling in a vehicle on land away from a fishing site.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
Captain and Crew bag limit prohibited while on a for-hire trip
Commercial harvest prohibited

Official source

Where: Tampa Bay Region
Size limit: Slot Limit: Not less than 18" no more than 27" total length
Bag limit: Daily Bag Limit: 1 fish per person; 2 fish vessel limit
Season: Season: Open year-round

Legal Gear: hook and line, cast nets
Illegal Gear: Spearing (includes spearfishing, gigging and bowfishing, and snatch hooking) and/or use of multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited
The northern boundary is located at Fred Howard Park, near the border of Pasco and Pinellas counties and extends south to State Road 64 in Manatee County. Includes all waters of the Braden River and Manatee River, and its tributaries. Does not include the Anclote River and its tributaries.
Bag limits apply in areas adjacent to fishing sites such as docks and parking lots
4 fish per person transport limit applies when traveling in a vehicle on land away from a fishing site.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
Captain and Crew bag limit prohibited while on a for-hire trip
Commercial harvest prohibited

Official source

Where: Sarasota Bay Region
Size limit: Slot Limit: Not less than 18" no more than 27" total length
Bag limit: Daily Bag Limit: 1 fish per person; 2 fish vessel limit
Season: Season: Open year-round

Legal Gear: hook and line, cast nets
Illegal Gear: Spearing (includes spearfishing, gigging and bowfishing, and snatch hooking) and/or use of multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited
The northern boundary is located at State Road 64 in Manatee County and the region extends south near the Venice Municipal Airport. Includes Palma Sola Bay.
Bag limits apply in areas adjacent to fishing sites such as docks and parking lots
4 fish per person transport limit applies when traveling in a vehicle on land away from a fishing site.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
Captain and Crew bag limit prohibited while on a for-hire trip
Commercial harvest prohibited

Official source

Where: Charlotte Harbor Region
Size limit: Slot Limit: Not less than 18" and no more than 27" total length
Bag limit: Daily Bag Limit: 1 fish per person, 2 fish vessel limit
Season: Season: Open year-round

Legal Gear: hook and line, cast nets
Illegal Gear: Spearing (includes spearfishing, gigging and bowfishing, and snatch hooking) and/or use of multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited
The northern boundary is located near the Venice Municipal Airport, and extends south to near Vanderbilt Beach Road in Collier County.
Bag limits apply in areas adjacent to fishing sites such as docks and parking lots
4 fish per person transport limit applies when traveling in a vehicle on land away from a fishing site.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
Captain and Crew bag limit prohibited while on a for-hire trip
Commercial harvest prohibited

Official source

Where: Southwest Region
Size limit: Slot Limit: Not less than 18" no more than 27" total length
Bag limit: Daily Bag Limit: 1 fish per person per day; 2 fish per vessel limit
Season: Season: Open year-round

Legal Gear: hook and line, cast nets
Illegal Gear: Spearing (includes spearfishing, gigging and bowfishing, and snatch hooking) and/or use of multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited
The northern boundary is located near Vanderbilt Beach rd, in Collier County, and extends around the Florida Keys to the Monroe/Miami-Dade County line.
Bag limits apply in areas adjacent to fishing sites such as docks and parking lots
4 fish per person transport limit applies when traveling in a vehicle on land away from a fishing site.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
Captain and Crew bag limit prohibited while on a for-hire trip
Commercial harvest prohibited

Official source

Where: Southeast Region
Size limit: Slot Limit: Not less than 18" no more than 27" total length
Bag limit: Daily Bag Limit: 1 fish per person per day; 2 fish vessel limit
Season: Season: Open year-round

Legal Gear: hook and line, cast nets
Illegal Gear: Spearing (includes spearfishing, gigging and bowfishing, and snatch hooking) and/or use of multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited
The northern boundary is located at the Martin-Palm Beach county border and the region extends south to the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line. This region includes the Loxahatchee River and its tributaries.
Special Regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Bag limits apply in areas adjacent to fishing sites such as docks and parking lots
4 fish per person transport limit applies when traveling in a vehicle on land away from a fishing site.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
Captain and Crew bag limit prohibited while on a for-hire trip
Commercial harvest prohibited

Official source

Where: Indian River Lagoon Region

Legal Gear: hook and line, cast nets
Illegal Gear: Spearing (includes spearfishing, gigging and bowfishing, and snatch hooking) and/or use of multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited
The northern boundary is located at Lytle Avenue/South Causeway in New Smyrna Beach and extends south to Martin-Palm Beach County line. Does not include the Loxahatchee River or its tributaries.
Catch-and-Release only.
Bag limits apply in areas adjacent to fishing sites such as docks and parking lots
4 fish per person transport limit applies when traveling in a vehicle on land away from a fishing site.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
Captain and Crew bag limit prohibited while on a for-hire trip
Commercial harvest prohibited

Official source

Where: Northeast Region
Size limit: Slot Limit: Not less than 18" no more than 27" total length
Bag limit: Daily Bag Limit: 1 fish per person per day; 4 fish per vessel limit
Season: Season: Open year-round

Legal Gear: hook and line, cast nets
Illegal Gear: Spearing (includes spearfishing, gigging and bowfishing, and snatch hooking) and/or use of multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited
The northern boundary is located at the Florida-Georgia border and extends south to Lytle Avenue/South Causeway in New Smyrna Beach.
Bag limits apply in areas adjacent to fishing sites such as docks and parking lots
4 fish per person transport limit applies when traveling in a vehicle on land away from a fishing site.
Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore
Captain and Crew bag limit prohibited while on a for-hire trip
Commercial harvest prohibited

Official source

Quick answers

What is the red drum size limit in Florida?

Slot Limit: Not less than 18" no more than 27" total length (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

How many red drum can I keep in Florida?

Daily Bag Limit: 1 fish per person per day; 4 fish vessel limit" (for the first listed area; other areas may differ — see above).

When is red drum season in Florida?

Season: Open year-round. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

Compare Red Drum limits in other states →

More inshore in Florida

All Florida saltwater fishing regulations →

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Most anglers need a Florida saltwater license or registry: get one here.