Sanibel Fishing Charters, September 14, 2021: Redfish, Catch & Release!

Red Tide/Algae & Daily Salt Water Quality Update Here.

Blue-Green Algae & Daily Fresh Water Quality Update Here.

Captiva Fishing: Please Click For Rates & To Book A Captiva Fishing Charter Or Call 239-472-8658.

Sanibel Island Fishing Charters, September 14, 2021

Please Click To Rent Homes Direct From Captiva Homeowners; No VRBO Booking Fees.

Vote Water For Florida’s Future!

September 14, 2021: Redfish, Catch & Release, Captain Joe’s Charters – the weather is great – no significant Red Tide presence, and a lot of good fish in the gulf, bay, and passes; Sharks, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, Snook, and Seatrout are currently present.

Redfish & snook are regulated as catch & release at this time.

Already seeing some positive impact.  Some very nice big redfish and big snook around. Trout are also coming back.

The Caloosahatchee freshwater releases are also not an issue right now, but still a huge long-term problem.

Extremely frustrating.  We need wholesale changes in the Florida state government.  It is not a Republican or Democrat issue – it is a Big Sugar control everyone issue.  It is stunning how we continue to let the sugar industry and the agriculture north of Lake Okeechobee to damage the water and all of Florida.

Please click here to Book A Charter or call 239-472-8658.

We’re located in Castaways Marina, Santiva, Sanibel Island, just before the Blind Pass bridge to Captiva Island.

Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Sanibel Island Fishing Charters: Redfish, September 12, Catch & Release.  Please also visit the Sanibel, Fort Myers, Florida Fishing Report and Cuban Fishing sites.

Redfish are now catch & release only.

[File Photo: Sunday, October 15, 2017}.” width=”3659″ height=”2882″ />

Little Girl, Redfish, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Saturday, March 24, 2018, [File Photo: Sunday, October 15, 2017}.

“The red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as channel bass, redfish, spot tail bass, or simply red, is a game fish found in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to northern Mexico.^[1] It is the only species in the genus Sciaenops.

The red drum is related to the black drum (Pogonias cromis), and the two species are often found in close proximity to each other; they can interbreed and form a robust hybrid, and younger fish are often indistinguishable in flavor.^[2]

Red drum are a dark red color on the back, which fades into white on the belly. The red drum has a characteristic eyespot near the tail and is somewhat streamlined. Three-year-old red drum typically weigh 6-8 lb. The largest red drum on record weighed just over 94 lb and was caught in 1984 on Hatteras Island. Red drum and black drum both make a croaking or drumming sound when distressed.

The most distinguishing mark on the red drum is one large black spot on the upper part of the tail base. Having multiple spots is not uncommon for this fish, but having no spots is extremely rare. As the fish with multiple spots grow older, they seem to lose their excess spots. Scientists believe that the black spot near their tail helps fool predators into attacking the red drum’s tail instead of its head, allowing the red drum to escape.^[3]

The red drum uses its senses of sight and touch, and its downturned mouth, to locate forage on the bottom through vacuuming or biting. On the top and middle of the water column, it uses changes in the light that might look like food. In the summer and fall, adult red drum feed on crabs, shrimp, and mullet; in the spring and winter, adults primarily feed on menhaden, mullet, pinfish, sea robin, lizardfish, spot, Atlantic croaker, and mud minnows.

Red drum naturally occur along the southern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Aquaculture activities involving them occur around the world.^[4] Immature red drum prefer grass marsh areas of bays and estuaries when available. Both younger mature red drum (3-6 years of age) and bull red drum prefer rocky outcroppings including jetties and manmade structures, such as oil rigs and bridge posts. Around this type of structure, they are found throughout the water column.”  Please see more information here.

Red Drum: Sciaenops ocellatus

Florida Regulations: (Harvest in federal waters prohibited)

Gear requirements:

• Legal Gear:  hook and line, cast nets
• Illegal Gear: Spearing (includes spearfishing, gigging and bow fishing) and/or use of multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited

Red Drum Management Zones

• Northwest: Escambia through Fred Howard Park Causeway near Pasco County
• South: Fred Howard Park Causeway through Monroe County (west coast) and Miami-Dade through Volusia counties (east coast)
• Northeast: Flagler through Nassau counties

State Waters Harvest Seasons

Habitat and Fishing Tips: Red drum, also called redfish, channel bass, spot tail, red bass or reds, are one of Florida’s most popular sportfish and the state’s most widespread estuarine fish.

Red drum are named after the “drumming” sound they make during spawning and when taken out of the water. The sound is produced by muscles rubbing against the inflated air bladder. Red drum inhabit the nearshore and offshore waters throughout the Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Key West. Juvenile red drum inhabit rivers, bays, canals, tidal creeks, and passes in estuaries for up to four years, after which they usually move to nearshore or open ocean waters as adults.

Red drum in Florida can reach lengths of 45 inches and weigh up to 51 pounds. The world record red drum was caught off North Carolina waters in 1984 and it weighed 94 pounds, 2 ounces.The oldest recorded red drum in Florida was aged at 40 years. Floating a live shrimp under a popping cork is a good way to fish for red drum.

They also chase crabs, mullet, pinfish, and killifish (mud minnows). Casting soft-bodied jigs, spoons and even top-water plugs will catch the attention of these powerful estuarine musicians.

State Record:

52 lb 5 oz, caught near Cocoa (1996)

Florida Rule

Please also visit:

Redfish Catch, Hold and Release Tournament Exemption Permit page

Red Drum Management

Management of red drum in Florida is considered a success story.  In the late 1980s, red drum was overfished, thus several emergency closures were established to reduce fishing pressure. In 1989, the slot limit of 18-27 inches, the bag limit of one fish per person and a closed season from March-May were put in place. Red drum stocks have rebounded and are currently meeting or exceeding the FWC’s management goal of 40% escapement in most parts of Florida. Escapement is the proportion of fish that survive through age four relative to the fish that would have survived if there was no fishery.” Please see FWC for more information.

n]

Please click here to Book A Charter or call 239-472-8658 and here for Live Sanibel Traffic Cams. Sunday, September 30, Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Redfish, Passes & Oyster Bars.

After a fierce storm, Turner Beach, the beach adjoining the Pass, is frequently covered with a bounty of shells from Olives to Fighting Whelks to the more common Conchs. The fishing is also renowned for sharks in the summer, tailing redfish on the bayside flats and snook under and off the Blind Pass bridge. Because Turner Beach faces Westward, the sunsets are spectacular and a popular viewing point for residents and visitors alike.

We would appreciate if you like us on Facebook.

Fair winds and following seas,

Captain Joey Burnsed ~ please click calendar or call 239-472-8658 to book a Sanibel & Captiva Islands, Boca Grande or Fort Myers fishing guide trip or shelling charter.

Sanibel Fishing Charters, September 5, 2021: Pufferfish, Catch & Release!

Red Tide/Algae & Daily Salt Water Quality Update Here.

Blue-Green Algae & Daily Fresh Water Quality Update Here.

Captiva Fishing: Please Click For Rates & To Book A Captiva Fishing Charter Or Call 239-472-8658.

Sanibel Island Fishing Charters, September 5, 2021

Please Click To Rent Homes Direct From Captiva Homeowners; No VRBO Booking Fees.

Vote Water For Florida’s Future!

Captiva Fishing Guide Report: September 5, 2021: Pufferfish, Catch & Release, Captain Joe’s Charters – the weather is great – no significant Red Tide presence, and a lot of good fish in the gulf, bay, and passes; Sharks, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, Snook, and Seatrout are currently present.

Redfish & snook are regulated as catch & release at this time.

Already seeing some positive impact.  Some very nice big redfish and big snook around. Trout are also coming back.

The Caloosahatchee freshwater releases are also not an issue right now, but still a huge long-term problem.

Extremely frustrating.  We need wholesale changes in the Florida state government.  It is not a Republican or Democrat issue – it is a Big Sugar control everyone issue.  It is stunning how we continue to let the sugar industry and the agriculture north of Lake Okeechobee to damage the water and all of Florida.

Please click here to Book A Charter or call 239-472-8658.

We’re located in Castaways Marina, Santiva, Sanibel Island, just before the Blind Pass bridge to Captiva Island.

“Tetraodontidae is a family of primarily marine and estuarine fish of the order Tetraodontiformes. The family includes many familiar species variously called pufferfish, puffers, balloonfish, blowfish, blowies, bubblefish, globefish, swellfish, toadfish, toadies, honey toads, sugar toads, and sea squab.^[1] They are morphologically similar to the closely related porcupinefish, which have large external spines (unlike the thinner, hidden spines of the Tetraodontidae, which are only visible when the fish have puffed up). The scientific name refers to the four large teeth, fused into an upper and lower plate, which are used for crushing the hard shells of crustaceans and mollusks, their natural prey.

The majority of pufferfish species are toxic and some are among the most poisonous vertebrates in the world. In certain species, the internal organs, such as the liver, and sometimes the skin, contain tetrodotoxin, and are highly toxic to most animals when eaten; nevertheless, the meat of some species is considered a delicacy in Japan (as 河豚, pronounced fugu), Korea (as 복 ,bok, or 복어, bogeo), and China (as 河豚, hétún) when prepared by specially trained chefs who know which part is safe to eat and in what quantity. Other pufferfish species with nontoxic flesh, such as the northern puffer, Sphoeroides maculatus, of Chesapeake Bay,^[2] are considered a delicacy elsewhere.^[3]

The species Torquigener albomaculosus was called by David Attenborough “the greatest artist of the animal kingdom” due to the males’ unique habit of wooing females by creating nests in sand composed of complex geometric designs.^[4]”

And you can like us on Facebook at Captiva Fishing.

Fair winds and following seas,

Captain Joey Burnsed ~ call 239-472-8658 or email captjoefred@gmail to book a Sanibel & Captiva Islands, Boca Grande or Fort Myers fishing guide trip or shelling charter.

Sanibel Fishing Charters, September 1, 2021: SeaTrout, Catch & Release!

Red Tide/Algae & Daily Salt Water Quality Update Here.

Blue-Green Algae & Daily Fresh Water Quality Update Here.

Captiva Fishing: Please Click For Rates & To Book A Captiva Fishing Charter Or Call 239-472-8658.

Sanibel Island Fishing Charters, August 31, 2021

Please Click To Rent Homes Direct From Captiva Homeowners; No VRBO Booking Fees.

Vote Water For Florida’s Future!

Captiva Fishing Guide Report: Stay Safe – August 31, 2021, SeaTrout, Catch & Release, Captain Joe’s Charters – no significant Red Tide presence, and a lot of good fish in the gulf, bay, and passes; Sharks, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, Snook, and Seatrout are currently present.

Redfish & snook are regulated as catch & release at this time.

Already seeing some positive impact.  Some very nice big redfish and big snook around. Trout are also coming back.

The Caloosahatchee freshwater releases are also not an issue right now, but still a huge long-term problem.

Extremely frustrating.  We need wholesale changes in the Florida state government.  It is not a Republican or Democrat issue – it is a Big Sugar control everyone issue.  It is stunning how we continue to let the sugar industry and the agriculture north of Lake Okeechobee to damage the water and all of Florida.

Please click here to Book A Charter or call 239-472-8658.

We’re located in Castaways Marina, Santiva, Sanibel Island, just before the Blind Pass bridge to Captiva Island.

SeaTrout, Catch & Release, Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Sanibel Island, August 15, 2019.

Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Sanibel Island Fishing Charters: SeaTrout, October 15, Catch & Release.  Please also visit the Sanibel, Fort Myers, Florida Fishing Report and Cuban Fishing sites.

Sea Trout caught in Redfish Pass, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.  Redfish are back and looking good; for more information just use the search box and search on any species for recent fishing reports, background on any species, and other recent fishing, water quality reports, and information.

Online on-demand workshop available. Provide input on this fishery. Workshop information. Comment online at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.

Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Sanibel Island Fishing Charters: SeaTrout, Grass Beds, Catch & Release.  Please also visit the Sanibel, Fort Myers, Florida Fishing Report and Cuban Fishing sites.  Better water moving north of Sanibel up through Captiva & North Captiva.

Please also visit the Sanibel, Fort Myers, Florida Fishing Report and Cuban Fishing sites.  Better water moving north of Sanibel up through Captiva & North Captiva.

Please click here to Book A Charter or call 239-472-8658 and here for Live Sanibel Traffic Cams.

FWC Commission Spotted Seatrout Update, February 22, 2019

At its February meeting in Gainesville, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced a proactive change to conserve spotted seatrout impacted by the prolonged red tide in southwest Florida while continuing to offer quality fishing opportunities.

Currently, anglers may harvest a single spotted seatrout per day that is larger than 20 inches. Starting Friday, Feb. 22, recreational anglers will no longer be allowed to harvest any spotted seatrout over 20 inches total length when fishing in state or federal waters from the Pasco-Hernando county line south to Gordon Pass in Collier County. This rule change will remain in effect through May 10, 2019. Red drum and snook are currently catch-and-release only in this region through May 10 as well.

While these species need additional time to recover, the red tide that was impacting southwest Florida has subsided.

Silver SeaTrout: Cynoscion nothus

“Appearance:

Also known as white trout.

• Grayish back, silvery sides and white belly
• Faint rows of spots may be present on upper sides
• All fins are pale yellow, except for the darker, dusky dorsal fin
• Pair of large canine teeth at tip of upper jaw
• Eyes large and snout short
• 8 to 9 soft anal fin rays
• Bottom half of tail more elongated than upper half

Similar Species: Sand seatrout, C. arenarius (more yellow color and larger size)

Size: Usually less than 10 inches (1 pound). Smallest seatrout species; usually no more than 1/2 pound (less than 10 inches).

Habitat:

Most common over sand or sandy mud bottoms offshore along both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of Florida. Migrate into bays during cold months.

Behavior:

Spawn offshore in deep water during spring, summer and fall. Feed on small fish and shrimp.

Additional Information

State Record: This species is not currently eligible for a state record. ”

Recreational Regulations  

Please see FWC for more information on Silver SeaTrout.

Spotted SeaTrout

“Cynoscion nebulosus, the spotted seatrout, also known as speckled trout, is a common estuarine fish found in the southern United States along coasts of Gulf of Mexico and the coastal Atlantic Ocean from Maryland to Florida. These fish are also found in estuarine locations around Cape Breton Island of Nova Scotia, Canada.

While most of these fish are caught on shallow, grassy flats, spotted seatrout reside in virtually any inshore waters, from the surf of outside islands to far up coastal rivers, where they often come for shelter during cold weather. Contrary to its name, the spotted seatrout is not a member of the trout family (Salmonidae), but of the drum family (Sciaenidae). It is popular for commercial and especially recreational fishing in coastal waters of the southeastern United States. Adults reach 19-32 inches in length and 3-15 pounds in weight.

Spotted seatrout live in the top of the water column and are most numerous along the coasts of the southeastern states, such as Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida. They are also common along the coasts of North and South Carolina and Virginia. Estuarine coasts are prime settlement areas. They are uncommonly seen north of Delaware Bay and along the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Spotted seatrout is the common name endorsed by the American Fisheries Society. However, this fish has many other common names, including speckled trout, speck, speckles, spec, truite gris (Louisiana French), trucha de mar (Mexican Spanish), spotted weakfish, spotted seateague, southern seateague, salmon, salmon trout, simon trout, winter trout, seatrout, Nosferatu fish, and black trout. Particularly large ones are nicknamed gator trout.^[1]

The spotted seatrout has prominent canine teeth. Like other fish of the family Sciaenidae, it has an elongated, soft dorsal fin with scales; it is separated from the spinous dorsal fin by a deep notch. It usually has two anal spines and the lateral line extends to the tip of the caudal fin. The back has distinct spots scattered on it, including on the dorsal and caudal fins.

Unlike some other members of the family Sciaenidae, the spotted seatrout does not have any chin barbels. In stained water, this fish’s background may take on a golden hue. Its shape and coloration is reminiscent of a brown trout. This fish is closely related to the weakfish, Cynoscion regalis.

The average size of spotted seatrout is 0.5-1.0 kg (1-2 lb), but in most areas fish up to 2.5 kg (5 lb) are fairly common. Fish weighing 3.5-4.5 kg (8-10 lb) are rare. The world record is 7.9 kg (17 lb 7 oz).

Small trout eat large amounts of shrimp and other crustaceans. As they grow larger, their diets shift toward fish, the larger, the better. Studies in Texas and Mississippi show that really big trout strongly prefer to feed on mullet; a large trout will find the largest mullet it can handle and try to swallow it. Often the mullet is half or two-thirds as large as the trout.^[2]”  Please see more information here.

“Online on-demand workshop available. Provide input on this fishery. Workshop information. Comment online at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.

Image Credit: © Diane Rome Peebles

Spotted Seatrout: Cynoscion nebulosus

Florida Regulations:

Gear Requirements: Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net

Spotted Seatrout Management Zones:

• Northwest: Escambia County through Fred Howard Park Causeway near Pasco County.
• Southwest: Fred Howard Park Causeway through Monroe County line at Card Sound.
• Southeast: Miami-Dade County at Card South through Volusia County.
• Northeast: Flagler through Nassau counties.

State Waters Harvest Seasons

Habitat and Fishing Tips:

Seatrout are found inshore and nearshore in and around seagrass meadows, mangrove-fringed shorelines, deep holes and channels and above oyster bars. Free-line live shrimp or small pinfish or pigfish (grunts) near the bottom to entice trout out of grass-bed holes. Attaching a float will allow these baits to drift over the grass beds as you search for trout. Casting with soft-bodied jigs, top-water poppers and spoons can be effective.

Trout are very delicate, so returning unwanted or illegal fish promptly to the water is necessary to maintain a healthy population. Spotted seatrout are a good eating fish.

State Record: 17 lb 7 oz, caught near Ft. Pierce

Florida Rules

Spotted Seatrout Management in Florida

Spotted seatrout is managed for both commercial and recreational fishing in Florida.  Management in Florida began for spotted seatrout in the late 1980s when the fishery was declining. At the Nov. 2011 Commission meeting, the FWC made several changes to how spotted seatrout are managed, including splitting the South management zones in two and going from a total of three management zones (Northeast, Northwest and South) to four management zones (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest.)

The management goal for spotted seatrout in Florida is a 35% spawning potential ratio (SPR). Stock assessments were conducted in 2003 and 2006 that showed the spotted seatrout population as relatively stable. The 2010 stock assessment includes data through 2009 and it showed that the Northeast, Southeast and Southwest zones are exceeding the 35% SPR management goal. The Northwest area is hovering right at 35%.

At the Nov. 2011 Commission meeting, the following rules were approved, becoming effective February 1, 2012:

Recreational

• Removal of season closures
• Northeast bag limit increased to 6 fish

Commercial

• Southeast and Southwest region defined
• Increase in seasons
  • Southeast: May 1- Sept 30
  • Northeast: June 1- November 30
  • Southwest and Northwest: June 1- October 31
• A commercial vessel limit of 150 with two or more licensed fishermen are aboard
• Sale of seatrout inventory will be allowed for 30 days after the season closes”

Source & more information @ FWC.

Please click here to Book A Charter or call 239-472-8658 and here for Live Sanibel Traffic Cams; Captiva Island Fishing Charters, SeaTrout, Grass Flats & Oyster Bars.

We’re located in Castaways Marina, Santiva, Sanibel Island, just before the Blind Pass bridge to Captiva Island.

After a fierce storm, Turner Beach, the beach adjoining the Pass, is frequently covered with a bounty of shells from Olives to Fighting Whelks to the more common Conchs. The fishing is also renowned with sharks in the summer, tailing redfish on the bayside flats and snook under and off the Blind Pass bridge. Because Turner Beach faces Westward, the sunsets are spectacular and a popular viewing point for residents and visitors alike.

And you can like us on Facebook.

Fair winds and following seas,

Captain Joey Burnsed ~ please click calendar at the upper right or call 239-472-8658 to book a Sanibel & Captiva Islands, Boca Grande or Fort Myers fishing guide trip or shelling charter.

Sanibel Fishing Charters, August 31, 2021: Redfish, Catch & Release!

Red Tide/Algae & Daily Salt Water Quality Update Here.

Blue-Green Algae & Daily Fresh Water Quality Update Here.

Captiva Fishing: Please Click For Rates & To Book A Captiva Fishing Charter Or Call 239-472-8658.

Sanibel Island Fishing Charters, August 31, 2021

Please Click To Rent Homes Direct From Captiva Homeowners; No VRBO Booking Fees.

Vote Water For Florida’s Future!

August 31, 2021: Redfish, Catch & Release, Captain Joe’s Charters – the weather is great – no significant Red Tide presence, and a lot of good fish in the gulf, bay, and passes; Sharks, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, Snook, and Seatrout are currently present.

Redfish & snook are regulated as catch & release at this time.

Already seeing some positive impact.  Some very nice big redfish and big snook around. Trout are also coming back.

The Caloosahatchee freshwater releases are also not an issue right now, but still a huge long-term problem.

Extremely frustrating.  We need wholesale changes in the Florida state government.  It is not a Republican or Democrat issue – it is a Big Sugar control everyone issue.  It is stunning how we continue to let the sugar industry and the agriculture north of Lake Okeechobee to damage the water and all of Florida.

Please click here to Book A Charter or call 239-472-8658.

We’re located in Castaways Marina, Santiva, Sanibel Island, just before the Blind Pass bridge to Captiva Island.

Sanibel Island Fishing Charters & Sanibel Island Fishing Charters: Redfish, September 12, Catch & Release.  Please also visit the Sanibel, Fort Myers, Florida Fishing Report and Cuban Fishing sites.

Redfish are now catch & release only.

[File Photo: Sunday, October 15, 2017}.” width=”3659″ height=”2882″ />

Little Girl, Redfish, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Saturday, March 24, 2018, [File Photo: Sunday, October 15, 2017}.

“The red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as channel bass, redfish, spot tail bass, or simply red, is a game fish found in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to northern Mexico.^[1] It is the only species in the genus Sciaenops.

The red drum is related to the black drum (Pogonias cromis), and the two species are often found in close proximity to each other; they can interbreed and form a robust hybrid, and younger fish are often indistinguishable in flavor.^[2]

Red drum are a dark red color on the back, which fades into white on the belly. The red drum has a characteristic eyespot near the tail and is somewhat streamlined. Three-year-old red drum typically weigh 6-8 lb. The largest red drum on record weighed just over 94 lb and was caught in 1984 on Hatteras Island. Red drum and black drum both make a croaking or drumming sound when distressed.

The most distinguishing mark on the red drum is one large black spot on the upper part of the tail base. Having multiple spots is not uncommon for this fish, but having no spots is extremely rare. As the fish with multiple spots grow older, they seem to lose their excess spots. Scientists believe that the black spot near their tail helps fool predators into attacking the red drum’s tail instead of its head, allowing the red drum to escape.^[3]

The red drum uses its senses of sight and touch, and its downturned mouth, to locate forage on the bottom through vacuuming or biting. On the top and middle of the water column, it uses changes in the light that might look like food. In the summer and fall, adult red drum feed on crabs, shrimp, and mullet; in the spring and winter, adults primarily feed on menhaden, mullet, pinfish, sea robin, lizardfish, spot, Atlantic croaker, and mud minnows.

Red drum naturally occur along the southern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Aquaculture activities involving them occur around the world.^[4] Immature red drum prefer grass marsh areas of bays and estuaries when available. Both younger mature red drum (3-6 years of age) and bull red drum prefer rocky outcroppings including jetties and manmade structures, such as oil rigs and bridge posts. Around this type of structure, they are found throughout the water column.”  Please see more information here.

Red Drum: Sciaenops ocellatus

Florida Regulations: (Harvest in federal waters prohibited)

Gear requirements:

• Legal Gear:  hook and line, cast nets
• Illegal Gear: Spearing (includes spearfishing, gigging and bow fishing) and/or use of multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited

Red Drum Management Zones

• Northwest: Escambia through Fred Howard Park Causeway near Pasco County
• South: Fred Howard Park Causeway through Monroe County (west coast) and Miami-Dade through Volusia counties (east coast)
• Northeast: Flagler through Nassau counties

State Waters Harvest Seasons

Habitat and Fishing Tips: Red drum, also called redfish, channel bass, spot tail, red bass or reds, are one of Florida’s most popular sportfish and the state’s most widespread estuarine fish.

Red drum are named after the “drumming” sound they make during spawning and when taken out of the water. The sound is produced by muscles rubbing against the inflated air bladder. Red drum inhabit the nearshore and offshore waters throughout the Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Key West. Juvenile red drum inhabit rivers, bays, canals, tidal creeks, and passes in estuaries for up to four years, after which they usually move to nearshore or open ocean waters as adults.

Red drum in Florida can reach lengths of 45 inches and weigh up to 51 pounds. The world record red drum was caught off North Carolina waters in 1984 and it weighed 94 pounds, 2 ounces.The oldest recorded red drum in Florida was aged at 40 years. Floating a live shrimp under a popping cork is a good way to fish for red drum.

They also chase crabs, mullet, pinfish, and killifish (mud minnows). Casting soft-bodied jigs, spoons and even top-water plugs will catch the attention of these powerful estuarine musicians.

State Record:

52 lb 5 oz, caught near Cocoa (1996)

Florida Rule

Please also visit:

Redfish Catch, Hold and Release Tournament Exemption Permit page

Red Drum Management

Management of red drum in Florida is considered a success story.  In the late 1980s, red drum was overfished, thus several emergency closures were established to reduce fishing pressure. In 1989, the slot limit of 18-27 inches, the bag limit of one fish per person and a closed season from March-May were put in place. Red drum stocks have rebounded and are currently meeting or exceeding the FWC’s management goal of 40% escapement in most parts of Florida. Escapement is the proportion of fish that survive through age four relative to the fish that would have survived if there was no fishery.” Please see FWC for more information.

n]

Please click here to Book A Charter or call 239-472-8658 and here for Live Sanibel Traffic Cams. Sunday, September 30, Captiva Island Fishing Charters, Redfish, Passes & Oyster Bars.

After a fierce storm, Turner Beach, the beach adjoining the Pass, is frequently covered with a bounty of shells from Olives to Fighting Whelks to the more common Conchs. The fishing is also renowned for sharks in the summer, tailing redfish on the bayside flats and snook under and off the Blind Pass bridge. Because Turner Beach faces Westward, the sunsets are spectacular and a popular viewing point for residents and visitors alike.

We would appreciate if you like us on Facebook.

Fair winds and following seas,

Captain Joey Burnsed ~ please click calendar or call 239-472-8658 to book a Sanibel & Captiva Islands, Boca Grande or Fort Myers fishing guide trip or shelling charter.

Sanibel Fishing Charters, August 30, 2021: Blacktip Shark, Catch & Release!

Red Tide/Algae & Daily Salt Water Quality Update Here.

Blue-Green Algae & Daily Fresh Water Quality Update Here.

Captiva Fishing: Please Click For Rates & To Book A Captiva Fishing Charter Or Call 239-472-8658.