fish
Redfish (red drum, 'spot-tail')
Sciaenops ocellatus
- Identify
- Copper-bronze, one or more black spots at the base of the tail.
- Typical size
- 18–27 in slot; bull reds over 40 in
- Where
- Oyster bars, mangrove points, shallow bays
- Scientific
- Sciaenops ocellatus
In the book
The first keeper Matt ever caught, at Comer Key. Rose's cooler-toppling redfish at the marina. The 22- and 24-inch keepers at Lostman's (Ch. 16).
How Matt fishes it
Popping cork with a live shrimp over oyster bars on a dropping tide.
Tackle box: Popping cork , Live shrimp , Live bait
Rules and conservation
Slot limit and bag limit vary by region; check FWC.
Limits, seasons and slot sizes change. Always check the current FWC rules before keeping a fish.
Appears in
Swims with
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Spotted seatrout 'Grass bed fishing meant trout.' Three keepers on the first client trip; Dave's trout off Little Pavilion Key. Ch. 2Ch. 3Ch. 7Ch. 16 +1 -
Tarpon ('silver king') The trophy fish of South Florida and the tournament's main event. Old Scarface. Rose's 68-inch, 81-pound… Ch. 1Ch. 2Ch. 7Ch. 8 +3 -
Mangrove (gray) snapper Dave's 22-incher; the snapper bonanza at the river mouth ('leave that snapper in the water, it'll attract… Ch. 2Ch. 3Ch. 7Ch. 13 +2 -
Grouper (goliath / gag) Matt's favorite eating fish. The 'unseen giant' that dragged the anchored Bonefisher across the channel; the… Ch. 2Ch. 3Ch. 13Ch. 14 +2