Redfish in Islamorada

Copper-bronze with a black spot at the tail, redfish are a Florida Bay fish: one of the reasons a backcountry day out of Islamorada differs from anything in Key West.

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When is redfish season in Islamorada?

All year, best in the cooler months. The Keys tourism council grades red drum Peak from January to March and October to December, and its fishing guide names red drum in the winter backcountry; Bud N’ Mary’s favours fall and winter. FWC allows one per person, two per boat, in an 18 to 27 inch slot, open all year.

The fish

FWC calls red drum, or redfish, one of Florida’s most popular sport fish and the state’s most widespread estuarine fish: copper-bronze, with one or more dark spots at the base of the tail and crushing teeth for shellfish, growing to 61 inches. The Florida Museum says they mature at three to four years and live at least 50. FWC’s suggestion for catching one: a live shrimp under a popping cork.

Redfish in Islamorada

The Islamorada Chamber lists redfish among Florida Bay’s backcountry fish, Robbie’s backcountry trips target redfish, snook and trout, and A Fishing Guru counts them among the most active inshore fish in every season. The Keys tourism council grades red drum Peak in January, February, March, October, November and December and Good in April, May, June, July, August and September; its guide names red drum in the winter. None of that appears on a Key West calendar.

Can you keep redfish?

Charter captain and crew may keep none. Read on the live FWC page 6 Oct 2026.

Every limit is on what fish you can keep.

Florida state-water rules as they apply in the Keys, Islamorada included, read on FWC’s page on 6 October 2026. FWC changes these; its page is the final word.
RuleFWC, Keys state waters
Minimum size18–27 in TL slot
Bag limit1 per person, 2 per boat
SeasonOpen all year (Southwest Region, which runs around the Keys)
SourceFWC: Redfish (red drum)

Which trip to book

A backcountry trip into Florida Bay, $700–$1,200 per boat in October 2026. See Florida Bay fishing for the park rules.

Read for this page on 6 October 2026: FWC: red drum profile ; FWC: red drum regulations ; Florida Museum: red drum ; Islamorada Chamber: fishing and marinas .

Check it at the source

Redfish: questions

What is the redfish limit in the Florida Keys?

One per person per day and two per boat, between 18 and 27 inches total length, open all year in FWC’s Southwest Region, which runs around the Keys. On a charter the captain and crew may keep none.

Are there redfish in Islamorada?

Yes, in the Florida Bay backcountry on the bay side. The Islamorada Chamber and Robbie’s both name redfish as a backcountry target, and the Keys tourism council grades them Peak from October to March.

Next step

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