Bield: fish

Single-species migration calendar

Red Drum in Florida Nature Coast & Big Bend june fishing.

  • Sciaenops ocellatus
  • Seasonal Movement
  • Good

Summer flats and marsh pattern.

Verify with the agency before fishing

Fishing regulations change every season. This page is a summary maintained by Bield — bag limits, exact dates, and species-specific rules must be verified with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Saltwater) before each trip.

Year-round calendar

Red Drum · 12-month view.

Each month encodes typical migration status. The current month is outlined in gold. Hover a cell for the month-specific note and typical water temperature.

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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Good Year-round Gulf resident — winter schools in deep marsh ponds. Typical water temp: 52–62°FGoodFeb — Good Same. Typical water temp: 54–64°FGoodMar — Good Fish spreading back onto flats. Typical water temp: 60–70°FGoodApr — Good Spring fishing strong on flats. Typical water temp: 66–74°FGoodMay — Good Same. Typical water temp: 72–80°FGoodJun — Good Summer flats and marsh pattern. Typical water temp: 80–86°FGoodJul — Good Hot water — fish on cooler edges. Typical water temp: 82–88°FGoodAug — Good Same. Typical water temp: 82–88°FGoodSep — Peak Fall bull red run on Gulf beaches. Typical water temp: 78–84°FPeakOct — Peak Peak fall fishing — bull schools on beaches. Typical water temp: 70–78°FPeakNov — Good Bull schools dispersing. Typical water temp: 62–70°FGoodDec — Good Winter resident pattern. Typical water temp: 56–64°FGood

Migration pattern

Year-round resident. Highest density of redfish in North America in Louisiana marsh. Fall bull red run on Gulf beaches September–November.

Best locations

  • Steinhatchee River mouth
  • Cedar Key flats
  • Crystal River
  • Homosassa flats

Top lures

  • Live mullet under popping cork
  • Cut mullet on bottom
  • Gold spoons
  • Soft plastic shrimp
  • Topwater plugs (skinny water)

Red Drum in other regions

Chesapeake Bay (Lower) →Virginia Coast & Eastern Shore →North Carolina Outer Banks →North Carolina Southern Coast →South Carolina Coast →Georgia Coast →All red drum regions →

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Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data and water-temperature readings to species arrival windows so you're on the water the day they arrive in Florida Nature Coast & Big Bend.

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