Orlando Fishing

Redfish are among the toughest of all fish. Their drag screaming runs and incredible endurance make them one of the most desirable species to fish for in East Central Florida. Once located Redfish can be caught on a variety of artificial lures as well as live and natural bait. They are caught year round in the clean waters of the Indian River Lagoon which consists of the Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River and Banana River.

A highly adaptable species Redfish live throughout the coastline of the Southeastern United States to parts of Mexico. Over 3,000 miles of shoreline supports the population of this awesome game fish. Redfish are members of the Drum family which includes Spotted Sea Trout and Black Drum. They are referred to in other coastal areas as Red Drum, Puppy Drum, and Channel Bass. For the most part Redfish are bottom feeders and use a good sense of smell to find food. This is the reason they are often observed “Tailing” on the Indian River Lagoon grass flats. They will root along the flats and shorelines with their heads down and tails sticking out of the water while searching for food.

Redfish are very powerful and are capable of making multiple long runs on light tackle. On your Orlando fishing charter I will make sure you are prepared with the proper fishing tackle to catch Redfish. This includes 6′6′-7′ ft medium spinning rods, medium spinning reels filled with 8-12 pound line, and #20 LB Fluorocarbon shock leaders. In most situations Redfish don’t have the tendencies to charge into structure when hooked like Snook which allows lighter tackle to be used. I have a lot of pride when it comes to rigging and maintaining fishing tackle and I always make sure the fishing line is fresh, reel drag is set properly, hooks are sharp, and knots are solid. Redfish will thoroughly test tackle and proper rigging and maintenance of fishing tackle is a necessity. Depending on the conditions and type of area we are fishing, I will teach you how to properly present the bait to Redfish with both artificial lures as well as live and natural baits. It is important to make a silent approach when fishing for Redfish because they can be spooky in the shallow waters of the Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River, and Banana River.

Redfish don’t reach sexual maturity until they are approximately 28″. To help preserve our breeding population in Florida we have a 18″-27″ slot limit on Redfish. In order to keep them they must measure a minimum of 18″ and not more then 27″. This protects the juveniles and preserves the larger breeder adults which are often referred to as “Bulls”. Redfish can live up to 40 years, exceed 50 inches, and weigh over 90 pounds. The current IGFA all-tackle world record Redfish weighed 94 lbs 2 ozs and was caught on the Outer Banks of North Carolina near Cape Hatteras in 1984. My hometown on the Space Coast in Cocoa, FL holds the current certified Florida state record Redfish which was caught in 1996 and weighed 52 pounds 5 ounces. This fish was caught on the Banana River in an area I regularly fish.

In 1998 while fishing at night on the Banana River near Melbourne, Florida I personally landed a Redfish that weighed 56 lbs 8 ozs. My fish was weighed on two different scales and witnessed by three other anglers. I then released the fish because it was over the 27″ Florida “slot limit”. It would have easily beat the Florida record by a full 4 pounds! I did not have my camera with me to take pictures and the scales were not certified so I chose not to submit the record catch to the IGFA. The area where I caught this fish still produces Redfish for my clients up to 40 pounds. I believe the Florida state record Redfish is in this location and one day one of my clients may catch it! The Indian River Lagoon system is a world class fishery that produces giant Redfish all year round. This is why the Mosquito Lagoon near Titusville and the Indian and Banana River near Cocoa Beach are known as “The Redfish Capital of the World”.

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