Florida Gulf · Tampa Bay
Redfish: size limit, bag limit & season
Checked against FWC · July 1, 2026
In Florida's Gulf waters, including Tampa Bay, a redfish must be between 18 and 27 inches (total length) to keep. The bag limit is 1 per harvester, not to exceed 2 per vessel (Tampa Bay/Sarasota/Charlotte Harbor/SW/SE regions). Season: Open year-round.
The rules
| Size limit | 18–27" slot (total length) |
|---|---|
| Bag limit | 1 per harvester, not to exceed 2 per vessel (Tampa Bay/Sarasota/Charlotte Harbor/SW/SE regions) |
| Season | Open year-round |
| Rules & notes | Panhandle/Big Bend/NE: up to 4/vessel. Indian River Lagoon: catch-and-release only. Gigging, spearing, snatching, and harvest in federal waters prohibited. |
Not legal advice. These are Florida's Gulf-zone limits (Tampa Bay region where FWC sets regional rules), checked against FWC on July 1, 2026. Limits change by region, gear and date — confirm on MyFWC.com before you keep a fish.
When redfish are most active
Redfish are caught year-round around the Gulf Coast.
Redfish are most active in roughly 60–82°F water (a typical range; they're caught outside it too).
Check it on the water
Log a redfish in Newbreeds and the size check compares your length against these limits — keeper or release — with a link to FWC to confirm. Every catch also records the tide, pressure trend, water temperature and moon automatically, so over time you see which conditions your redfish actually bite in. Logging is free.
Get Newbreeds — free All Florida Gulf limits
Questions
What is the size limit for redfish in Florida?
In Florida's Gulf waters, including Tampa Bay, a redfish must be between 18 and 27 inches (total length) to keep. Panhandle/Big Bend/NE: up to 4/vessel. Indian River Lagoon: catch-and-release only. Gigging, spearing, snatching, and harvest in federal waters prohibited.
How many redfish can I keep in Florida?
The Gulf-zone bag limit is 1 per harvester, not to exceed 2 per vessel (Tampa Bay/Sarasota/Charlotte Harbor/SW/SE regions).
When is redfish season in Florida?
Redfish are open year-round in Florida's Gulf waters.
When is the best time to catch redfish around Tampa Bay?
Redfish are caught year-round around the Gulf Coast.
What water temperature do redfish like?
Redfish are most active in roughly 60–82°F water (a typical range; they're caught outside it too).