Single-species migration calendar

Red Drum in Southeast Florida june fishing.

  • Sciaenops ocellatus
  • Seasonal Movement
  • Good

Summer flats and mangrove 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 resident fish — winter schooling on flats. Typical water temp: 64–70°FGoodFeb — Good Same. Typical water temp: 66–72°FGoodMar — Good Spring flats fishing. Typical water temp: 70–76°FGoodApr — Good Strong sight-fishing on tailing reds. Typical water temp: 74–80°FGoodMay — Good Same. Typical water temp: 78–82°FGoodJun — Good Summer flats and mangrove pattern. Typical water temp: 82–86°FGoodJul — Good Hot water — fish in deeper edges or shaded structure. Typical water temp: 84–88°FGoodAug — Good Same. Typical water temp: 84–88°FGoodSep — Good Cooler nights bring fish back to flats. Typical water temp: 80–84°FGoodOct — Good Strong fall fishing. Typical water temp: 74–80°FGoodNov — Good Cooling water concentrates fish. Typical water temp: 70–76°FGoodDec — Good Winter resident pattern. Typical water temp: 66–72°FGood

Migration pattern

Year-round resident with strong seasonal movement between flats, mangroves, and inlets. Cooler water concentrates fish on flats; hot water pushes them to deeper and shaded structure.

Best locations

  • Boynton Inlet
  • Jupiter Inlet
  • Government Cut
  • Biscayne Bay flats

Top lures

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

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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 Southeast Florida.

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