red drum texas limit. Is Calaveras Lake freshwater or saltwater? The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department stocks tens of thousands of the saltwater species in Calaveras Lake, one of only three in the state to get redfish. red drum texas limit

 
 Is Calaveras Lake freshwater or saltwater? The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department stocks tens of thousands of the saltwater species in Calaveras Lake, one of only three in the state to get redfishred drum texas limit The Red Drum fishery management plan (FMP) prohibited directed commercial harvest from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for 1987

For example, the recreational bag limit for red drum in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) northeast and northwest management zones is two fish per person, per day. Daily bag = 3 fish. Davis* Redfish (Sciaenops ocellata) critically low temperature of the water will determine the success of pond cul-ture of red drum in the future. " Reach Bo Petersen Reporter at Facebook, @bopete on Twitter or 1-843-937-5744. Eric Glass, @captainericg, 956-434-1422; Galveston Bay: Capt. Large scales. Redfish limits in Alabama. 31, 2024. This publication is the first in a series. Black Drum Technical Task Force ( TTF) for their many hours of work and dedication. ducers surround Matagorda Bay in Texas; it is the source of most red drum broodfish currently used in the U. b One red drum over 28" allowed per license year with a properly filled out red drum tag or bonus red drum tag. 10. Red snapper: Limit in waters under. Flounder are often caught incidental to red drum, and fishermen welcome them to the bag. For Texas, there is a five-fish limit for recreational fishing. See bag and size limits. Texas Redfish Limits A redfish must be at least 20″ but no more than 28″ in length to be legally harvested. Black drum survival was 94%, red drum survival was 63%, and hybrid survival was 72%. There are no bag, possession, or length limits on game or nongame fish, except as listed in this guide. But we’re probably going to end up releasing it, because it’s probably over 23 inches,’” the upper end of the trout slot. Licenses for 2022-23 went on sale Aug. Figure 1. Is Calaveras Lake freshwater or saltwater? The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department stocks tens of thousands of the saltwater species in Calaveras Lake, one of only three in the state to get redfish. 19-4. The House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday from Sen. The current Texas record is 55 pounds. We will definitely be booking with Jimmy on our net trip down. A redfish must be at least 20″ but no more than 28″ in length to be legally harvested. XI,21; A. Counts as part of the daily bag and possession limit. 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. A single black drum measuring 52 inches may be retained and counts in the daily bag. Unlawful to possess red drum greater than 27” TL. Madre in Texas to the Atlantic Chesapeake Bay contain juveniles. Management of red drum in Florida is considered a success story. Recreational size and bag limits have been highly effective, allowing daily limits to be increased in recent. Bass Marine Fisheries Research Station, HCO2 Box 385, Palacios, Texas 77465 USA. Outdoorsman. 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. This allows anglers to harvest more fish. The daily limit is three fish per person. No sale of recreational bag limit on vessels operating as charter or head boats. The limit for catching red drum varies by state and can change seasonally. Bow Fishing Regulations. It was accidentally stocked in two Wyoming reservoirs in the early 1990s (Hubert 1994). Recent Changes in Texas Freshwater Fishing Regulations. You can only keep one drum over that length, and it has. On head boats, limit is 10 per person per day. This is your go-to for jetty fishing. One redfish over the maximum length can be kept each year with a red drum tag that comes with a fishing license. Increases of about two inches per year occur after that. , 1995). The fish is deep-bodied and equipped with a long dorsal fin divided into two sections. “Red drum reach sexual maturity between their third and fourth years when they are about thirty inches long. Fishing with a Boat. Definitions. I’m an artificial guy and in my experience there’s nothing better than a shad rap SSR5 in shad color, (been using that bait for over 30 years and caught red fish, specks, white trout, giant black drum and flounder) and a Strike King 1. See definitions of daily bag and possession limits. Having sharp, short needle teeth, the adult red snapper usually maintains about 24 inches in length but has been known to exceed 39 inches. 3 kg). They spawn in the Gulf, possibly near the mouths of passes. Life History Red Drum Tag. b Red drum special regulation: During a license year, one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be retained when affixed with a properly completed Red Drum Tag and one. 63/kg. From March 16 to August 31, 2023, the spotted seatrout bag and size limits south of FM 457 will be: Three fish per day per angler ; A minimum size of 17 inches and a maximum size limit of 23 inches ; No fish over the maximum length may be retained. Red drum have no barbels and 1 or more black spots on back near tail; banded drum have oblique mouths and no barbels on chin. Unlawful to possess red drum greater than 27” TL. Fishing with a Boat. The world record red drum weighed 94 pounds, 2 ounces and hailed from North Carolina. 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. 2 Is there a limit to how many red drums. • Texas. As mentioned above, the daily bag limit of red drum or single black drum and the possession of redfish in Texas is 3. C. While the current red drum SPR is above the limit of 20%, it has been declining since 2005 as fewer red drum “escape” to the offshore population. Max Length: 25 inches. 3(a)(12) this title (relating to Super Combination Hunting and Fishing License Packages) or under a lifetime license with the digital tagging option provided by § 53. • Establishing a maximum size limit of 27 inches or less in all red drum fisheries. Spotted seatrout males average 19 inches (48 cm) in length. The Georgia limit for redfish is one of the highest of the east coast. The daily bag limit for redfish in Texas is three redfish per person. In Mississippi waters, the recreational catch is regulated by a size limit of 18 – 30 inches total length and 3 fish/person daily possession. Included with the purchase of a saltwater fishing endorsement or any package that. 15 inches. (Bartley et al. A minimum of sixty (60) RED-tagged redfish will be released into the coastal waters. General Rules & Regulations. Submit only one picture of one side of the fish. 981 - Bag, Possession, and Length Limits (a) For all wildlife resources taken for personal consumption and for which there is a possession limit, the possession limit shall not apply after the wildlife resource has reached the possessor's residence and is finally processed. Flounder. Here is a list of the Texas saltwater fish limits, including the 30 most popular game fish and a quick rundown of the fishing regulations for recreational saltwater. All species, their hybrids and subspecies. for regulations; the Lone Star State has. My. Texas Parks and Wildlife recently poured more than 600,000 red drum fish into two San Antonio lakes to help keep the population high, according to a representative from the government organization. Definitions. This rig consists of a sliding egg sinker, swivel, leader, and hook. This may be taken in addi-tion to the daily bag limit. They’re both excellent for bass as well. C. Limits in Other Gulf States •Texas - Bag limit 3 per person in a slot of 20 to 28 inches. This replaces a previous advisory issued in 2010. The states with magazine restrictions are Washington, Vermont, Rhode Island, Oregon, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Hawaii, Delaware, Connecticut, Colorado, and California. Harvest. min. This dataset depicts the boundaries of the Atlantic Red Drum Fishery Harvest or Possession Prohibition Area. Grassy flats, on the other hand, can be tackled even. 1, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recently announced. Size (Inches) No Limit No Limit No Limit No Limit 30 a 28 b No Limit No Limit. In 1979 the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department adopted the techniques pioneered by Arnold to stock an incredible 15 million red drum up and down the coast. Charlie Paradoski, charlieparadoski. Special regulations may apply to certain waterbodies. Those changes will take effect on April 1 and are. According to TPWD rules, the limit for red drum of this size is just three per day, and even then they can only be 20-28 inches in length. (G) Drum, red. The Lake Fork Reservoir in Texas is known for its largemouth bass. when did jay wickizer join the presleys. Possession = double the daily bag limit. com, 713-725-2401; Lower Laguna Madre: Capt. Joined: Jun 2011. Current speckled trout limits allow anglers to keep 5 fish per day within the slot limit of 15”- 25”. Red drum often live to 30 – 50 years of age and spawn annually after reaching maturity. •Alabama –Bag limit is 3 per person in a slot of 16 to 26 inches. Today, the average size of the 225,000 red drum landed by Texas anglers each year is 23 inches and weighs about 4. Apparently they prefer shorelines, shallow waters and. The daily limit is three fish per person. 15. The state record black drum weighed 81 pounds and was 51. Daily bag limit is 5, size limit is 14"-30", and regulations allow you to keep one over 52". Maximum size length of 23 inches. (v) A person who lawfully takes a red drum under a digital license issued under the provisions of §53. Red Snapper Season in State Waters. Eric Glass, @captainericg, 956-434-1422; Galveston Bay: Capt. One red drum over 28" allowed per license year with a properly filled out red drum tag or bonus. Washington is one of the states with. One red drum tag (Item 598) is available at no additional charge (limit one per customer). The size limit minimum length is 14 inches, and the size limit minimum length of 30 inches. The tags placed on the redfish will. Red drum Daily Bag: 3 Min Length: 20 inches Max Length: 28 inches Drum Bag & Length Limits. m. Game fish - see bag & size limits. Atlantic croaker are about 12 inches (30 cm) long and weigh 1/2 to 2 pounds (226 g to 0. Only slot size red drums (20”-28” in. Much like redfish, black drum are another species that provides a shore angler with a great chance at a huge fish. Redfish even eat a fly! In the South they’re called redfish, on the east coast it’s red drum; small ones are called rats, keepers are puppies and big redfish are known as bulls. Atlantic croaker are about 12 inches (30 cm) long and weigh 1/2 to 2 pounds (226 g to 0. Minimum-size: 14-inches . Definitions. 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. One redfish over the maximum length can be kept each year with a red drum tag that comes with a fishing license. Legal Devices, Methods & Restrictions. Redfish, also known as Red Drum, are members of the Drum family. In Georgia, you can harvest up to 15 Black Drum, where in Florida you are only able to harvest 5. DNR’s Coastal Resources Division (CRD) on Tuesday recommended the Georgia Board of Natural. 5 (Commercial limit is 40 per person and 40 per vessel) Sheepshead. (ii) Minimum length limit: 20 inches. No Comments; 0. Texas residents can now purchase a digital Super Combo license that will authorize digital tagging of harvested deer, turkey, and oversized red drum, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recently announced in a media release. Visit San Antonio 203 S. Possession & Transport of Exotic Aquatic Species. Proclamation FF-33-2022 Pg. All of the Red. 1. See catfish comparison and identification. Largemouth Bass Limit: 5 per day Size: 18 in. Austin, TX 78744 (512) 389-4800 (800) 792-1112The 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. One-Day All-Water Fishing License (Resident and Non Resident) Valid for the selected day or days purchased. Habitat: Red drum are usually found in shallow waters, especially in their first three years, whereas Black Drum fish are more common in. written by Nate Skinner August 2, 2023. D. What are the Florida black drum size limits? In Florida, you are allowed to catch 3 black drum on the Atlantic side and 5 on the Gulf side each day. Seatrout Bag & Length Limits. (iv) During November, lawful means are restricted to pole-and-line only and the bag and possession limit for flounder is two. and Texas to obtain a revised estimate of red snapper abundance of 85. Red Drum Slot Limit Nc. From late summer through to mid-winter, the larger boats docked all around the Coastal. Consecutive days may be bought at the time of purchase. According to our conversion factor - a 40-inch black drum would weigh, on average, around 32 pounds. 4(a)(1) of this title (relating to Lifetime Licenses) that exceeds the maximum length limit established by this subparagraph. It seems likely that Red Drum in Texas have benefited from slot limits via promotion of an older population age structure, although it is unknown whether any single management measure drove the observed increase in population mean age of Red Drum in Texas between 1980 and 1993 or whether the full suite of management measures acted in synergy to. A Louisiana fish called “cazeburgot” was described in French history books as early as 1753, and the fish’s name was written as Le Casse-burgo by. Is Calaveras Lake freshwater or saltwater? The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department stocks tens of thousands of the saltwater species in Calaveras Lake, one of only three in the state to get redfish. For current recreational and commercial size and creel limits, see Maryland's updated regulation page. However, adults can live for more than 40 years, be five feet long and tip the scale at more than 80 pounds. The digital license option is available via online purchase only. GENERAL INFORMATION A. "That drum was fighting like a grouper, trying to get back down in the rocks," he said. During a license year, 1 red drum over the stated maxiumum length limit may be retained when affixed with a propertly completed Red Drum Tag and one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be retained when affixed with a properly completed Bonus Red Drum Tag. The bag-limit is 5 per day. take or kill diamondback terrapin or marine mammals such as porpoises, dolphins or whales. 8. It’s what’s for Dinner. Appearance: Red drum have a reddish-bronze color and a distinctive black spot near the tail, while black drum are silver-grey and have whisker-like barbels. The change is among a handful of new game and fishing regulations due to go into effect Thursday, Sept. 4200 Smith School Rd. Keep the boat about 15-20 feet from the rocks and work the jig (with bait or without) a foot or so from the bottom. The red drum is a euryhaline fish distributed along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Tuxpan, Mexico. Defining reservoir boundaries and modified harvest regulations on designated waterbodies highlight this year’s list of changes. 007, F. Limit of 10 per person per day or 54 per trip, whichever is less. Table of Contents show. Freshwater drum are silvery in color and lack the distinctive tail fin spot of red drum. The daily bag limit for redfish in Texas is three redfish per person. Possession limit is equal to the daily bag limit. Many red drum broodstock at commercial foodfish hatcheries have been in captive production for more than 10 years with some individuals reported as being in cap-tive production for at least 17 years. with conventional management practices such as bag and size limits, to help restore the depleted Texas red-drum population (Matlock et al. All other states have redfish size limits that don’t allow you to keep fish over their slot limit. Limit in waters under federal jurisdiction is two fish per day. to 4:30 p. 1(Red Drum fishing in general, number caught, size caught, and current regulations). A 7- or 7. Males and females weigh 2 to 3 pounds (1 to 1. Remove the oversized red drum tag by tearing along the perforated edges of the tag. On the Texas coast spawning occurs. , maximum size is 28 in. While the majority of anglers and guides still oppose a Red Drum harvest season (as in the 2017 survey), the majority of both groups support a Red. The fish must be between 14 and 24 inches in size. One black drum over 52 inches may be retained per day as part of the five-fish bag limit. The red drum ( Sciaenops ocellatus) is a marine species that spawns in nearshore areas, spends several years in coastal habitats, and then schools in offshore waters. By 7th April 2023 what happened to alina baraz and galimatias. 170 cm (5 1/2 ft), common to 50 cm (19 in) Fin Element Counts. 1, 2022. House lawmakers on the Joint Natural Resources and Environment Committee voted 8-2 to find proposed regulations for redfish, also known as red drum, unacceptable and to urge the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to reconsider an initial proposal from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries this summer. ; bag limit is 3; In a license year and in addition to the bag limit, 1 red drum over the maximum limit may be retained when. Life History. Clarification: No more than 1 spotted seatrout over the stated maximum length may be retained per person per day. 5-foot spinning rod built for inshore fishing is still ideal, but you’ll want to bump up to a model with medium/heavy power. Humble, TX. Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission meeting, Nov. Gear Restrictions: can be taken only with rod and reel year. The smaller Drum are called “Puppy Drum” When they are over 20 inches “Bull Drum”. 8-9, 2000 - Item 4, Action, Petition for Rulemaking Regarding the Establishment A Rule Mandating Spotted Seatrout, Flounder, and Red Drum Landed in Texas Comply with Established Texas Bag and Size Limits The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) adopted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to change the red drum size limit from a 16-inch minimum size limit and a 27-inch maximum size limit to an 18-inch minimum size limit total length and a 24-inch maximum size limit total length. Hybrid Bass Limit: 5 per day Size: 18 in. Marlin Bag & Length. (F) Drum, black. Red Drum vs Black Drum – Key Differences. It’s low in saturated fat and has a lean, flakey textureSmaller drum, such as the one pictured above, are often referred to as puppy drum. Texas Parks & Wildlife reported stocking Calaveras Lake. Most coastal anglers are well aware of the thrilling fight and excellent table fare that a red drum provides, but. as Texas has done for red drum and spotted trout ( it makes no difference of course to the stock who harvests it), or. Bag and length limits apply to listed saltwater species. The FWC also has reduced the personal transport limit to four fish per person. The red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) is a long lived marine finfish (> 50 years of age) which has an estuarine dependant early life history (ages 0-4). A. yield (OY) in th e red drum fishery can be obtained. 16” min total length. 08/17/2023 Redfish, Speckled Trout. Texas anglers land an estimated 225,000 red drum each year, with the average fish measuring 23 inches and weighing about 4. For example, the minimum (356 mm)and maximum(889 mm)size limits for red drum retainable by bothrecreationalThe Texas redfish limit is a 3-fish daily limit and a slot size of 20 to 28 inches, with the option to keep one fish over 28 inches long with a red drum tag. take, kill, or disturb any endangered or threatened fish species (paddlefish, shovel-nosed sturgeon, sawfish and others). • Trends in the recreational total catch rates (A+B1+B2, number fish/angler hour)The new regulations prohibit captains and crew from being included in the total bag limit of red drum when on a for-hire trip. offer the best texture and flavor. 1 5 No Limit 2 5 3 5/2 c 1. Minimum size length of 17 inches. One redfish over the maximum length can be kept each year with a red drum tag that comes with a fishing license. 170 cm (5 1/2 ft), common to 50 cm (19 in) Fin Element Counts. The changes enacted for the 2022-23 license year take effect Sept. Fishing is by pole and line only. Legal Devices, Methods & Restrictions. The state record black drum weighed 81 pounds and was 51. Due to strict Texas redfish size and bag limits, it’s very important for recreational anglers to know when they are in season, and the rules and regulations governing their catch for 2022. Daily Bag: 5/2 (in any combination) Min Length: 15 inches. The regulation changes are as follows: Sam Rayburn Reservoir (Angelina, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Sabine, and San Augustine counties) —. A free Saltwater Information Permit is additionally needed to fish in saltwater. NICKNAMES Puppy drum, redfish, channel bass, spottail bass AVAILABLE March through December LANDED AT Wanchese, NC CATCH METHOD gill net TODAY'S PRICE ~12oz pack, 2 servings ($20) A GREAT SOURCE OF omega-3s Learn more about mercury in. 6. texas. Red drum are also known as redfish, channel bass, or simply “reds”. , 1986; Matlock, 1990; McEachron et. Use a leader with a length of 18 to 24 inches and a test weight of 20 to 30 pounds. For the first time, Texas hunters and anglers can purchase a digital Super Combo license that will allow for digital tagging of harvested deer, turkey, and oversize red drum. The changes also include. Flounder Bag & Length Limits. The daily bag limit for redfish in Texas is three redfish per person. Distribution of juvenile red drum in these estuaries is poorly understood. C. record is 94 pounds and was caught along the North Carolina coast. Table of Contents show. Texas Parks and Wildlife will incorporate the details of these new regulations into the 2022-23 edition of its Outdoor Annual. Flounder. ) are allowed. Stock identities along the coast have never been resolved, but. Turner said Lonestar Aquafarms sells about 25,000 pounds of fresh fish per week. RECREATIONAL SIZE AND POSSESSION LIMITS It is illegal to sell any seafood taken with a recreational license. Similar Species: Black drum, P. There is no telling how many fish we through back. 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 daily bag limit for redfish in Texas is three redfish per person. Game fish may be taken only by pole and line (which includes rod and reel), except as otherwise provided in this guide. They are a bronze and golden color with a distinct black dot or dots near the start of the tail. Stocking Most fingerling red drum are stocked into ponds for growout at a rate of 2,000 to 4,000 per acre. Texas has become a top fishing destinations for tourists both because of the excellent freshwater reservoirs and streams filled with largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and catfish and because of the superb red drum and spotted seatrout fishery along the coast. Because red snapper (over. Red drum reach adulthood at age 4 and a length of around 27 inches. Gar Bag & Length Limits. Required to take one red drum longer than 28 inches per license year. The University of Southern Mississippi Search. In Texas freshwater drum may spawn in April or May. Minimum size: 18″ to 27″. 15. In state waters, redfish have no closed season and can be harvested year-round within the bag limits set by each state. Non-resident Annual: $50. Size (Inches) No Limit No Limit No Limit No Limit 30 a 28 b No Limit No Limit. The daily bag limit for redfish in Texas is three redfish per person. 2 Gear Restrictions 5. The Virginia Capes/Delaware Bay in recent years has been the northern limit of fisheries for both the red (Sciaenops ocellatus) and black drum (Pogonias cromis). Perhaps the most sought after game fish in the bays of the Gulf Coast is the red drum, more commonly called the redfish. Atlantic and Gulf - 8" Atlantic - 10 per harvester Gulf - 100 pounds per harvester not included within the snapper aggregate bag limit. “When I first saw it, from 15 or 20 yards out, I saw all the specks and it looked like a big trout,” Alvarez recounts. 1. and more. Sizes of most Red Drum that were released alive during 2002-2019 were larger than 14 cm TL (5. Red drum doesn’t have an open season in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the harvest of redfish is strictly prohibited. Redfish, which scientists and state. March 31, 2023. Bay and Gulf, sandy and sandy mud bottoms. the average size of red drum in Texas’ bays is ap-proximately 19 inches. Limits may change due to legislative or Commission Action a One black drum over 52" as part of daily bag and possession limit. Shrimp can work well here as can metal jigs. 0 mm diameter), with large females producing >1 million eggs. For example, the recreational bag limit for red drum in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) northeast and northwest management zones is two fish per person, per day. These freshwater red drum fisheries have become very popular, and the fish stocked this week will probably be legal to catch a year from now. 6 million fish. ; bag limit is 3; In a license year and in addition to the bag limit. Red drum are also commonly known as redfish and spottail bass. (iv) One black drum over 52 inches may be retained per day as part of the five-fish bag limit. 7 pounds. Red drum may reach 60 years of age and 60 inches in length (corresponding to greater than 90 pounds in. Red drum spawn pelagic eggs (approximately 1. Due to strict redfish rules and regulations, it’s very important for any angler to know when they are in season, what the laws and restrictions are governing their catch, and what. These laws regulate the size and quantity of the fish an angler can keep per day to help limit over fishing. Max Length: 25 inches. Includes one red drum tag. Greater amberjack. See definitions of daily bag and possession limits. Currently in the United States, the price of whole red drum purchased from commercial farms is USD 4. Bret Allain, R-Franklin, that would urge the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to adopt a new limit prohibiting anglers from keeping any redfish over 27 inches in length. Then, in 1981, Texas House Bill 1000 (aka the Redfish Bill) was passed, which permanently prohibited the sale of red drum caught in state waters. (ii) Minimum length limit: 15 inches. , maximum size is 28 in. Included with the purchase of a saltwater fishing endorsement or any package that includes the saltwater fishing endorsement. Freshwater drum are silvery in color and lack the distinctive tail fin spot of red drum. 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. Although some freshwater bodies of. Red drum management has generally involved sociological, economic and biological considerations (Matlock 1978). The average weight of black drum landed by recreational anglers in Texas is about 3 pounds. On fishing expeditions that cross the state line, Stacy maintains a single fish limit for red drum with a slot of 18 to 23 inches. . Depending on the area, males mature between age one and four (20-28 inches in length), while females mature between age three and six (31-36 inches in length). Commercially caught red drum must be 18 to 25 inches, with a 5 fish per day limit. 18 inches long.