Red drum will tolerate low salinity water, but survival is reduced in water below 50. The limits and restrictions in this guide apply to aquatic life caught in the public waters of Texas out to 9 nautical mile in the Gulf of Mexico, and to aquatic life caught between 9 and 200 nautical miles in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and possessed in state waters or landed in this state. Official Site: 16 inches. In Texas, what size fish can you keep? The Texas redfish limit is a daily limit of 3 fish and a slit size of 20 to 28 inches, with the ability to keep a fish over 28 inches long with a red drum day. Redfish in North Carolina must be at least 18 inches long but less than 27 inches in total length to meet the slot limit and be legal for harvest. Record Size: 60 inches, 94 pounds. Remove the oversized red drum tag by tearing along the perforated edges of the tag. B. (1971, c. Minimum size: 15″ to 25″ Spotted Trout Season: Open year-round. The market size of red drum has shifted over time from 0. (This record will stand for the foreseeable future, since red drum over 27 inches are not currently legal to keep). In Texas juvenile abundance is similar from Galveston Bay with salinities as low as 13 ppt to the Lower Laguna Madre with salinities as high as 40 ppt. Of greatest value in a niche U. Drum are also sought after as bait for other species. A redfish must be at least 20 inches but no more than 28 inches long to be legally harvested. 5 miles from the opening into the big bay). Size (Inches) 34 18 14 37 14 20 14 No Limit. A single black drum, measuring 52 inches or more, can be kept and placed in the daily bag. Size and possession limits. When: Summer and fall; Who: The following guides specialize in Texas redfishing: Middle Texas Coast: Capt. Red fish are a fun fish to catch, and can be quite challenging. Only slot size red drums (20”-28” in. Jim West, 409-996-3054 The Texas redfish limit is a daily limit of 3 fish and a slit size of 20 to 28 inches, with the ability to keep a fish over 28 inches long with a red drum day. Use a 4- to 6-foot section of 30-pound fluoro leader. Rules and regulations related to size and harvesting can change regularly. 1–April 30 • Atlantic - All others open year round • •Gulf - Open year-round Daily Recreational Bag Limit: • Atlantic - 3 per harvester • Gulf - 4 per harvester Gag Grouper p. Hoop nets, wire nets, and slat traps must be marked with user’s name and fishing license number attached directly to the device. The calm bay waters of the Copano and Redfish Bays are ripe for kayak fishing, and you can find plenty of shops along the marinas willing to rent you a light vessel for under $50. Review Florida’s extensive laws before fishing for red drum, or any fish. “Once you spot a tailing fish, you want to cast your artificial about 5 feet in front of the fish and 4 feet past it,” says Plair. Texas Redfish Limits. It was birthed out of our abundance. cromis (has chin barbels and lacks spot on tail) Size. Jacksonville, Florida 32254, US. The rig generally involves a 50- or 60-pound leader, a circle hook, and a pyramid sinker to keep the line in position. That is why the upper slot is typically somewhere around that 26″ mark. Get directions. Next Rule>> TITLE 31:. (3) The fee for replacement of a Texas resident active duty military and "all water" fishing package replacement is $0. MATERIALS AND METHODS Red drum (1,726 fish) were collected in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, andAlabama offshore coastal waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico from Sep tember 1985 through October 1987 bypurse seineMadre in Texas to the Atlantic Chesapeake Bay contain juveniles. Submit only one picture of one side of the fish. The possession limit is the number of a single species you can have in your possession at one time; it is a combined total of your daily take and anything you have stored at home. Legal Devices, Methods & Restrictions. In Texas, the political confrontation resulted In the prohibi tion of sale of red drum caught from Texas waters. 20. The world record red drum weighed 94 lb. Winds and. One winner will be announced. Red drum generally are an iridescent silvery grey with a coppery cast which is darker on the back than on the belly. The states with magazine restrictions are Washington, Vermont, Rhode Island, Oregon, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Hawaii, Delaware, Connecticut, Colorado, and California. 1 S Main St. A popping cork is placed 18–36 inches above the hook. Out-of-phase (spring) stocked red drumDigital License and Tagging Information. Selective feeding pat-Back is highly-arched and gray or black, fading to a lighter belly. The current slot limit, which would not be changed under DNR’s proposal, is a 14-inch total length minimum and 23-inch maximum total length for legal redfish. The proposed change to red drum fishing regulations comes after CRD conducted a satisfaction survey in 2022, as well as two town hall meetings in June 2022, to assess angler and. (D) For aggregate creel limits for American shad and hickory shad, see the most recent DMF proclamation at Drum. Many red drum broodstock at commercial foodfishPercentage of red drum in each 10 mm size class caught in Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) trammel nets and landed by commercial trotlines during each fall and spring 1972-1978 (N. SWS Planner: Texas Gulf Coast Redfish Action. of food. Spearing is defined as "the catching or taking of a fish by bow fishing, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing its body. – 27″ Max, Possession Limit: 5 fish per person per day. Similar Species: Red drum, S. Fishing with a Boat. D. Current speckled trout limits allow anglers to keep 5 fish per day within the slot limit of 15”- 25”. The law also allows. Flounder spawn offshore in waters between 30-66 meters (98-217 feet) deep when they reach 2 years of age. Juveniles have 4 to 6 dark vertical bars on sides (fade with age) Barbels on lower jaw. Black drum: Limit is five per day; 14-inch minimum, 30-inch maximum. One taste and the public was hooked. A red drum tag will be issued at no additional charge with each saltwater fishing endorsement. Flagrant Offense: Exceeding commercial trotline length limits by more than 10%. They hope the hybrid will prove. Similar Species: Black drum, P. S. Before you get too excited thinking that you can catch a 90-pound fish to feed your family for weeks, you should know a few things. Fill out the necessary information on the tag which includes: (1) the date (cut out the month and day found along the edges of the tag); (2) the place where the fish was caught (such as the name of the bay); and, (3) the county in which the fish was caught. was made a legal form of take. In China, cages are constructed of flexible mesh bags attached to solid frames and are 1. To find out more about the regulations for the reservoirs call (210) 635-8289 or visit the TPWD website Recommended Guide/Charter Service: Bones Fishing Guide Service (San Antonio, Calaveras Lake) This is one of the best guide services operating on Calaveras Lake for big redfish and catfish. 145-6, and to read as follows: "§ 145-6. No significant difference (P = 0. Red drum with multiple spots and the youth who caught the Red drum with the most spots will win. 0 kg). Taxonomy: available through. Texas A&M University College Station, Texas, 77845 USA todd. They spawn in the Gulf, possibly near the mouths of passes. Provides a red drum tag for persons that are exempt from the purchase of a resident or non-resident fishing license of any type or duration;Yes, you can eat a black drum. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Selective feeding pat-Back is highly-arched and gray or black, fading to a lighter belly. Texas Parks & Wildlife Fishing Regulations subject to change Red Drum Limit: 3 per day Size: 20 in. The Texas redfish limit is a daily limit of 3 fish and a slit size of 20 to 28 inches, with the ability to keep a fish over 28 inches long with a red drum day. " Spearfishing is defined as "the catching or taking of a fish. **Sportsmen can keep one fish over the 26-inch limit per day out of the three total reds allowed per day. You can cast four or five rods into the water, placing each in a rod holder. Red drum fingerlings (0. 2 eggs, beaten. These devices, subject to restrictions listed, may be used to take fish and other aquatic life in Texas public waters. Saltwater Trotline Tag; TagYou must report all recreational landings of swordfish to NOAA Fisheries within 24 hours of landing at the dock. 15 inches. class. Life History. probatocephalus (both lack barbels on lower jaw)January 23, 2014. 4200 Smith School Rd. Fill out the necessary information on the tag which includes: (1) the date (cut out the month and day found along the edges of the tag); (2) the place where the fish was caught (such as the name of the bay); and, (3) the county in which the fish was caught. Bow Fishing Regulations. (II) Minimum length limit: No limit. “I said, ‘Man, that’s a good trout. Found: Coastal and Brackish (mix of salt and fresh) water from Virginia to Texas. Most of the adult black drum measure 30-40 inches. These pre-spawn and spawning congregations of adult black drum offer anglers the opportunity to target the big fish. Read Section 57. The red drum has a characteristic eyespot near the tail and is somewhat streamlined. A digital license holder will not receive a printed license or tags and must understand and. Red drum are at the top of the food chain wherever they are found in fresh water. Anglers fishing for tunas in Louisiana state or federal are subject to both state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Note: Filleting at. Official State salt water fish . 2-201 of the Code of Virginia. The red drum has an amber red and golden body which changes hue upon spawning season to a darker more intense shade, and white underbelly. Sub-legal red drum acute mortality from capture in small and large mesh gill nets from the NCDMF independent gill. The proposed limits would drop the daily bag limit to three fish per person and tighten the slot limit to 17”- 23”. in June 1988. World Record Size: The biggest redfish ever caught was by Mr. Younger fish may feed on small invertebrates such as. Remove the oversized red drum tag by tearing along the perforated edges of the tag. Steve Hillman; Kevin Cochran; Chuck Uzzle; Joe Richard; Mike McBride; Non-Current. Minimum size: 16″ to 26″. take, kill, or disturb any endangered or threatened fish species (paddlefish, shovel-nosed sturgeon, sawfish and others). estimated number includes red drum that are caught and released because they are below the minimum size limit (Figure 2). Swordfish7,14. The limit on black drum in Texas is five fish per day, with a slot limit of 14 inches to 30 inches. Jim West, 409-996-3054The Texas redfish limit is a daily limit of 3 fish and a slit size of 20 to 28 inches, with the ability to keep a fish over 28 inches long with a red drum day. In all zones, there is a slot size limit of 18 to 27 inches total length. Offshore movement. A 7- or 7. Family: Sciaenidae. Red drum are a long-lived species commonly reaching ages in excess of 40 years. **. CARSON* Center for Biosystematics and Biodiversity, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2258, USA. Red drum is the species of blackened. Min. The maximum reported length is 61 inches (155 cm) total length (TL), however this species is more typically seen at lengths of about 39. The world record red drum weighed 94 pounds, 2 ounces and hailed from North Carolina. Learn more about. The stated purpose of this meeting was to discuss the potential for establishing a red drum. The monster black drum that Alistair Bremner caught very likely was a world record — at more than 122 pounds, 4 feet long and nearly as big around. Red drum can be found “tailing” with their head down in the grass and the tail exposed to the air when feeding in shallow water. 8-pound redfish setting the record. Texas speckled trout size regulations allow for a limit of five fish per day and a slit size of 15 to 25 inches, with the ability to keep a fish larger than 25 inches long. The size at settlement is determined by the substrate of the settlement site (Havel et al. Distinguishing characteristics include a dark gray or green back and silvery-white below, with distinct round spots on back, fins and tail; black. In China, cages are constructed of flexible mesh bags attached to solid frames and are 1. February 12, 2016 the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission issued a news release announcing the meeting to be held at the Hyco Lake Community Center at 3: p. The red drum is a cousin to the Black Drum. Impact of Introduction: Freshwater mussels in the family Unionidae have had very poor recruitment over the past 20 or so years in Tradinghouse Creek and Fairfield reservoirs in Texas. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to possess more than five red drum. During a license year, one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be kept when tagged with a completed Red Drum Tag. Trout . The red drum has an amber red and golden body which changes hue upon spawning season to a darker more intense shade, and white underbelly. Minimum size: 9 inches. You have permission to edit this article. ocellatus; and sheepshead, A. E. Daily bag = 3 fish. 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese. For the entire state where redfish are legal to harvest, the slot limit is set at 18 to 27 inches. When: March 16, 2019. Recreational Fishing Limits *BAG/POSSESSION ARE PER PERSON UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE MINIMUM LENGTH IN INCHES NUMBER OF FISH BAG/POSSESSION Cobia 33 FL 2 Flounder 12 TL 10 Red Drum w 18 TL to 30 TL** 3 Spotted Seatrout 15 TL 15 King Mackerel 24 FL. These devices, subject to restrictions listed, may be used to take fish and other aquatic life in Texas public waters. 4VAC20-1400-50. Spread the love Redfish, also known as red drum, are a popular saltwater fish found along both the East Coast and the Gulf Coast. Note: Filleting at sea is allowed. In short, you only actually have to buy them if you’re exempt from. 5 oz. Gar Bag & Length Limits. White bass . Austin, TX 78744 (512) 389-4800 (800) 792-1112Use a 4- to 6-foot section of 30-pound fluoro leader. Spawning in captivity won't be easy, and once spawned, the juveniles must be raised to stocking size – a. Generally, three-year-old Red Drum typically weigh between 6 to 8 pounds. Perfect for all sorts of fish – Redfish, Speckled Trout, small Grouper, Cobia, Flounder, Snook, Bluefish, and other fish found close to shore. just hope to catch one of legal size and, to borrow from the world of finance, legal tender, because both provide. However, the average size of a red drum is around 18-27 inches in length and weighs. Davis* Redfish (Sciaenops ocellata) critically low temperature of the water will determine the success of pond cul-ture of red drum in the future. Red Drum are managed in each Gulf and South Atlantic state by specific catch/harvest regulations. Sharks may not be taken by gill nets. . Red Drum The Red Drum, also known as Channel Bass, Redfish, Spottail Bass or simply. Edit Close. The Texas record taken by a sport angler is 81 pounds but most bull drum caught weigh 30 to 40 pounds. 3 Part 1: Graphing fishery. The daily pocket limit for redfish in Texas is three redfish per person. This means that any black drum caught must be between 14 and 30. Definitions. Get directions. AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Commission approved proposed rule changes to bag and size limits for spotted seatrout on the middle and lower Texas coast during the January 2022 meeting. , maximum size is 28 in. The current Texas record is 55 pounds. The FMP provided for a recreational bag limit of one fish per person per trip, and an incidental catch allowance for commercial net and shrimp fishermen. Generally, fish do not weigh a pound an inch. The Texas record taken by a sport angler is 78 pounds but most bull drum caught weigh 30 to 40. Effective Date: September 1, 2021. Van Tassell ©. Max Length: 25 inches. Game fish - see bag & size limits. However, adults can live for more than 40 years, be five feet long and tip the scale at more than 80 pounds. The species you can target from these departure points include redfish, speckled seatrout, black drum, flounder, and king mackerel. This is your go-to for jetty fishing. " On I September 1974, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission banned plastic baits on trotlines throughout Texas bays. edu . For red drum, minimum length = 20 inches, with no maximum length limit. Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus, 1766) Common name: Red Drum. Red Drum are one of the most popular and easily found saltwater species in the U. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length. The exact shades of the colors are dependent on the habitat and geographic. (e) Fishing tags: (1) exempt angler red drum tag--$3. SC gamefish (cobia, red drum, spotted seatrout, tarpon, and striped bass) may not be taken by nets. In Mississippi waters, the recreational catch is regulated by a size limit of 18 – 30 inches total length and 3 fish/person daily possession. In the late 1980s red drum was overfished, thus several emergency closures were established to reduce fishing pressure and allow the stock to rebuild. The red drum is a popular game fish in coastal waters from Massachusetts to Mexico. (iii) No maximum length limit. The red drum is a member of the drum and croaker family. Red fish are a popular game fish, and can be found in both salt and fresh water. But we’re probably going to end up releasing it, because it’s probably over 23 inches,’” the upper end of the trout slot. What is the legal size for red drum in Texas? For red drum, minimum length = 20 inches, with no maximum length limit. Texas Redfish Limits A redfish must be at least 20″ but no more than 28″ in length to be legally harvested. This rapid growth rate also provided legal-sized (51 cm TL) fish for angler harvest within 2 years of each stocking in Braunig Reservoir. Commercial red drum landings reported to. These declines in catches occurred while both states protected red drum with a 14-inch minimum size limit and a creel limit of two fish per day 32 inches or longer. The most common color is reddish-bronze. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offers several digital licenses that authorize digital tagging of harvested deer, turkey, and oversized red drum. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length. Marlin Bag & Length Limits. Leader: 10 to 20 lb test monofilament or fluorocarbon; Hook: #2 to 3/0 size circle hook or J-hook; Weight: 1/4 to. One winner will be announced. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department According to our conversion factor - a 40-inch black drum would weigh, on average, around 32 pounds. Legal Devices, Methods & Restrictions. Hybrid Bass Limit: 5 per day Size: 18 in. Minimum size: 18″ to 27″. Required for each 300 feet, or fraction thereof, on all non-commercial trotlines and sail lines placed in the coastal waters of Texas. Today, the average size of the 225,000 red drum landed by Texas anglers each year is 23 inches and weighs about 4. The red drum and black drum are close cousins, but man are they different. No person shall harvest in or from the waters of the State of Florida at any time, or unnecessarily destroy, any redfish of total length less than 18 inches, nor greater than 27 inches. No more than one black drum over 52 inches may be retained per person per day and counts as part of the daily bag limit and possession limit. The weight of a Red Drum can vary significantly depending on its age and size. On the Texas coast spawning occurs. (Freestone County) – Modify harvest regulations for red drum for lakes. These fish, when caught, are unCurrently, Louisiana anglers may harvest five reds per angler per day, with a size minimum of 16 inches and a maximum of 27 inches (one fish may be over). Fishermen in North Carolina are limited to a single red drum per day in a slot that begins at 18 and ends at 27 inches. A single black drum measuring 52 inches may be retained and counts in the daily bag. Both states have 14. Size limit: 15-in minimum. 4VAC20-1400-50. Report online, via the mobile app, or by calling 800. Five times per day; minimum length: 14 inches, maximum length: 30-inch. All other states have redfish size limits that don’t allow you to keep fish over their slot limit. Arnold 196 Assessing imrnunocompetence of red drum Sciaenops ocellatus!. Black Drum fish lack the black spot that characterizes their red counterparts. Gill nets no longer than 100 feet with a 3-inch minimum stretched mesh size may be used only in unrestricted areas of the Atlantic Ocean. 66. The limits and restrictions in this guide apply to aquatic life caught in the public waters of Texas out to 9 nautical mile in the Gulf of Mexico, and to aquatic life caught between 9 and 200 nautical miles in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and possessed in state waters or landed in this state. catch was less than the minimum legal size of 14 inches TL. Size limits. Bow Fishing Regulations. Increases of about two inches per year occur after that. R. Bonus Red Drum Tag (Type 599): $3. For white bass, minimum length = 10 inches and daily bag is 25. Red fish are a popular game fish, and can be found in both salt and fresh water. the red drum (redfish) and black. Counts as part of the daily bag and possession limit. The red drum and black drum are close cousins, but man are they different. The size limit is set between 18 inches and 27 inches to allow the larger, sexually mature red drum to spawn. 5-2. Possession & Transport of Exotic Aquatic Species. Sec. Clarification: No more than 1 spotted seatrout over the stated maximum length may be retained per person per day. See bag and size limits. The channel bass (red drum) is hereby adopted as the official State saltwater fish of the State of North Carolina. Joe Doggett; Martin Strarup; Billy SandiferWhether you are in Texas Fishing, Florida, North Carolina or wherever there is Redfish (red drum) this vid will offer you tips and how to on how to catch red. Texas redfish, or red drum, is a highly sought-after game fish off the Texas Gulf Coast. Top: UF 188005 Bottom: UF 187969 Florida Museum photo by Zachary Randall. A total of 31 nuclear-encoded microsatellites and an ~ 370 base pair fragment from the 'control' region of mitochondrial (mt)DNA were employed to resolve potential forensic issues relating to legal sale of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) harvested from offshore aquaculture operations in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Legal Devices, Methods & Restrictions. What are the Florida black drum size limits? In Florida, you are allowed. New in Fishing for 2023-2024. l X. Red drum were sometimes found right in our canal (about 1. Mackerel Bag & Length Limits. Red Drum IN TEXAS The red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), com-monly known in Texas as redfish, was popularized in the early 1980s by Chef Paul Prudhomme when he created “blackened redfish. Texas Parks and Wildlife will incorporate the details of these new regulations into the 2022-23 edition of its Outdoor Annual. Oth ers have special seasonal regulations that prohibit culling the catch. Drum . Bag limit: 4 fish per person daily. Residents and nonresidents under the age of 16 are exempt from needing a license in addition to residents aged 65 and overRed Drum in Texas are part of a broader Gulf-wide metapopulation structure. Before you get too excited thinking that you can catch a 90-pound fish to feed your family for weeks, you should know a few things. A Redfish With as Many Spots as a Seatrout. If you are not required to hold a fishing license, this endorsement is not required. The higherMinimum size: 19 inches Possession limit: Unlimited. m. The dorsal fin usually has 10 spines and 29-32 rays. In other parts of the world however, poorly designed stockings have led to loss of genetic diversity and degraded fisheries. General Regulations. Seatrout Bag & Length Limits. Today, the average size of the 225,000 red drum landed by Texas anglers each year is 23 inches and weighs about 4. Statutory Authority: § 28. In addition to the penalty provided in Section 66. Because of. , measured 54. Review Florida’s extensive laws before fishing for red drum, or any fish. Life History Drum, Red (Red Fish, Bull Red) Daily Limit: 3; Minimum Length: 20 inches; Maximum Length: 28 inches; Red Drum Tag: Allows 1 Red Drum greater than 28 inches per tag; Bonus Red Drum Tag: Allows 1 Red Drum greater than 28 inches per tag; Flounder. Admin. min dressed weight. All other red drum must be released immediately. In Florida waters, on average red drum can grow to 40 inches, 40 pounds on the Gulf of Mexico coast; 45 inches, 52 pounds on the Atlantic coast. Unlawful to gig, spear, or gaff red drum. Only slot size red drums (20”-28” in. Red drum are bottom feeders where they feed on crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish such as menhaden, mullet, pinfish, and spot. $389,000 Last Sold Price. The daily bag limit for redfish in Texas is three redfish per person. A. In the wild, female red drum may produce up to. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length. Currently, the very few hatchery-only operations remaining rarely produce stocker red drum;Red Drum. Size (Inches) No Limit No Limit No Limit No Limit 30 a 28 b No Limit No Limit. 3 kg). One or more dark, ocellated spots at base of tail (occasionally without spot) Lack barbels on lower jaw. Grouper Bag & Length Limits. Red drum, which feed heavily on mussels in marine waters, were first stocked. 4VAC20-280-30. Gigging, spearing, or snatching redfish is prohibited in the state of Florida. (v) A person who lawfully takes a red drum under a digital license issued under the provisions of §53. Life cycle: Females reach sexual maturity at age 3 and spawn at dusk in coastal waters near passes, inlets and bays, from late summer to early fall. 5 lbs. PROTECTED FISH: DISPLAY OF DOCUMENTS. Available at TPWD Coastal Law Enforcement offices. Fate of legal size red drum (n=1,246) in the large mesh estuarine gill net fishery. New in Fishing for 2023-2024. Daily Limit: 3. No more than one black drum over 52 inches may be retained per person per day and counts as part of the daily bag limit and possession limit. Final Trim Size: 7-7/8˝ X 10-1/2˝. Implement largemouth bass harvest regulations for soon to be opened Bois d’Arc Lake to establish a 16-inch maximum size limit and exceptions for temporary possession of 24-inch bass for weighing as potential ShareLunkers. Sailfish Bag & Length Limits. 13 pounds and was 48″ long. A whopping 67. Game fish may be taken only by pole and line (which includes rod and reel), except as otherwise provided in this guide. To ensure the sustainability of these species and preserve the ecosystem, it’s crucial to understand Louisiana’s regulations on saltwater fish limits. Reds are one of the drum species,. It has an elongate, fusiform body with a gently rounded dorsal profile. Federal law also regulates species between 9. This will run over the course of all 3 weekends and photos must be submitted by 8:00pm on the 6 th, 13th and/or 20. But he couldn't legally keep that big a fish. The size limit minimum length is 14 inches, and the size limit minimum length of 30 inches. The average weight of black drum landed by recreational anglers in Texas is about 3 pounds. Females are 25 inches (63 cm) long on average. Catch-and-Release Fishing Can Help Louisiana. A total of 598 red drum ranging from 291–763 mm total length were collected and their stomach contents analyzed during fall 1997 and spring 1998. Gigging, spearing, or snatching redfish is prohibited in the state of Florida. Submit only one picture of one side of the fish.