Red drum (redfish) limits by state
Check before you keep a fish. These are statewide rules. Lakes, rivers and coastal zones often have their own limits, and rules can change during the year. Each state below has a link to its official rules.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
| State | Where | Size | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Red drum |
Statewide | 16" to 26" total length (none over 26") | 3 | Open all year |
| Official source2 ADCNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Delaware Red drum |
Statewide | 20 to 27 in slot | 5 | All year |
| Secondary source: Delaware Fishing Guide (eRegulations edition) DNREC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Florida Red drum |
Panhandle, Big Bend, Northeast | 18" to 27" total length | 1 | Open all year |
| Florida | Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast | 18" to 27" total length | 1 | Open all year |
| Florida | Indian River Lagoon | – | 0 (catch and release only) | – |
| Captain and crew on for-hire trips may not keep a bag limit. Official source FWC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Georgia Red drum |
Statewide (to Dec 31, 2026) | 14" to 23" | 5 | Open all year |
| Georgia | Statewide (from Jan 1, 2027) | 15" to 24" | 3 | Open all year |
| Pole and line only. Official source Georgia DNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Louisiana Red drum |
State waters | 18" to 27" | 4; none over 27" | Year-round |
| Two daily limits allowed on land, but not on the water. Federal waters are closed to keeping red drum. Charter captain and crew may not keep any. Official source LDWF official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Maryland Red drum |
Chesapeake Bay and tidal tributaries | 18" to 26" | 3 | – |
| Secondary source: Maryland fishing guide 2026 (eRegulations) Maryland DNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Mississippi Red drum (redfish) |
Statewide | 18"-30" total length; may keep only 1 over 30" | 3 | – |
| Official source MDWFP official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| New Jersey Red drum |
Marine waters | 18" to under 27" | 1 | All year |
| Secondary source: NJ Fish & Wildlife saltwater regulations 2026 (eRegulations) NJ Fish & Wildlife official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| North Carolina Red drum |
Coastal and joint waters | 18" to 27" | 1 | – |
| Fish over 27" may not be kept. No gigging, spearing or gaffing. Official source NCWRC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| South Carolina Red drum |
State waters | 18" to 25" total length | 1 | – |
| New limits from July 1, 2026 (Act No. 231). Possession banned in federal waters. Rod and reel or gig only; no gigging December 1 to February 28. Secondary source: South Carolina hunting and fishing regulations 2026-27 (eRegulations) SCDNR official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Texas Red drum |
Statewide | 20" to 28" | 3 | Open all year |
| One red drum over 28" per license year with the red drum tag, plus one more with a bonus tag. Tagged fish don't count toward the bag. Official source TPWD official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||
| Virginia Red drum |
Virginia tidal waters | 18" to 26" total length | 3 (possession) | – |
| Official source DWR / VMRC official rules Checked Nov 4, 2026 | ||||