red drum texas limit. 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. red drum texas limit

 
 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 dayred drum texas limit Gradually, red drum expand their diet to include fish and larger invertebrates

Redfish Tag: One red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be kept when tagged with a completed Red Drum Tag. In waters under Texas' jurisdiction (out to 9 nautical miles offshore), it’s four black drum per day with a 15-inch minimum size. S. 48, No. Life History. 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. Daily bag is 5 fish except Nov 1 - Dec 14 (fishery closed; bag limit = 0). A Redfish With as Many Spots as a Seatrout. Table of Contents show 1. t. 3-fish bag limit. One-Day All-Water Fishing License (Resident and Non Resident) Valid for the selected day or days purchased. Any fish retained under authority of a Red Drum Tag or a Bonus Red Drum Tag may be retained in addition to the daily bag and possession limit as stated in this section. Also known as redfish. Red Drum (Redfish) 1: 5 daily per person - bag 2. The average weight of black drum landed by recreational anglers in Texas is about 3 pounds. No sale of recreational bag limit on vessels operating as charter or head boats. Jim West, 409-996-3054What is the legal size for red drum in Texas? For red drum, minimum length = 20 inches, with no maximum length limit. The FWC also has reduced the personal transport limit to four fish per person. Recent Changes in Texas Freshwater Fishing Regulations. The bag-limit is 5 per day. The commercial harvest is regulated by a size limit of 18 – 30 inches total length and a total. The states with magazine restrictions are Washington, Vermont, Rhode Island, Oregon, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Hawaii, Delaware, Connecticut, Colorado, and California. Similar Species: Black drum, P. Distribution of juvenile red drum in these estuaries is poorly understood. us Decline of Texas red drum. Texas Redfish Minimum Size: 20″ to 28″. Its distinguishing characteristics include three to five pairs of small barbels or "whiskers" on their chins to help them feel for food on the sea floor; a lateral line that extends to the tip of its caudal (tail) fin; inferior mouth. However, it’s the larger “big uglies” that most anglers are usually interested in catching. While these fish both tend to range from 5-30 pounds, black drum eventually outgrow redfish—reaching a maximum size of around 100 pounds compared to 90 pounds. 14 when the fishery is closed (bag limit 0). Virginia State Redfish Laws. (iii) No maximum length limit. 1. 2022 Redfish (Red Drum) Regulations. Max. Minimum size length of 17 inches. (iii) Maximum length limit: 30 inches. The daily limit is three fish per person. This beautiful shallow bay will give you something to smile about, as fishing in Matagorda Bay is out of this world. 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. Texas Redfish Limits A redfish must be at least 20″ but no more than 28″ in length to be legally harvested. 19-4. offer the best texture and flavor. You can only keep one drum over that length, and it has. A 7- or 7. The red drum is a euryhaline fish distributed along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Tuxpan, Mexico. What Is The Texas Red Snapper Limit? The Texas red snapper limit is 4 per day, at least 15 inches in state waters. — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has changed fishing regulations for Red Drum (Redfish) throughout the state. Gear Restrictions: can be taken only with rod and reel year. New in Fishing for 2023-2024. ing red drum, spotted sea trout, and southern flounder. l. In the event of a tie, the fish that was submitted at the weigh station first shall be declared the winner. The average weight of black drum landed by recreational anglers in Texas is about 3 pounds. A smooth drag becomes critical with redfish this size, so. ” The recipe featured red drum filets dipped in butter, rubbed with Cajun spices, and then seared in a very hot skillet. The two fish reported from the upper Wisconsin drainage in Wisconsin. Size (Inches) No Limit No Limit No Limit No Limit 30 a 28 b No Limit No Limit. and any fish over 27" may only be harvested with a red drum tag Purpose. each bay and for each YC, TargetPop is defined as MAX(10*Ha,2*(Large4,2)), where. March 31, 2023. Red drum often live to 30 – 50 years of age and spawn annually after reaching maturity. Minimum size: 18″ to 27″. A redfish must be at least 20” but no more than 28” in length to be legally harvested. G. Marlin Bag & Length. 810 Yonkers Ave, Yonkers, NY 10704-2099, USA. These laws regulate the size and quantity of the fish an angler can keep per day to help limit over fishing. Size limit: Only redfish between 16” and 26” may be kept. min. Fishing; Redfish; Saltwater;. Northeast Regional Bag Limit – Except as provided for in Rule 68B-22. This may be taken in addition to the daily bag limit. The changes enacted for the 2022-23 license year take effect Sept. January 19, 2021. Book a trip with Captain Bryce here. Bag and length limits apply to listed saltwater species. Once that tage is used you can get a "bonus" tag as well. Adults spawn from August through October in coastal waters frequently near tidal inlets. For example, surf angling requires a 10′ rod with lines up to 40 pounds. One fish over 28 inches may be retained using an oversize drum tag. In Georgia, you can harvest up to 15 Black Drum, where in Florida you are only able to harvest 5. Davis* Redfish (Sciaenops ocellata) critically low temperature of the water will determine the success of pond cul-ture of red drum in the future. (iii) No maximum length limit. One redfish over the maximum length can be kept each year with a red drum tag that comes with a fishing license. com, 713-725-2401; Lower Laguna Madre: Capt. ; 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. The current Texas record is 55 pounds. 6 mm per day, though the rates varied with location and year and were higher in more. Freshwater drum are silvery in color and lack the distinctive tail fin spot of red drum. Despite their abundance, black drum are generally overlooked by upper Laguna Madre anglers. The changes enacted for the 2022-23 license year take effect Sept. Having sharp, short needle teeth, the adult red snapper usually maintains about 24 inches in length but has been known to exceed 39 inches. The new regulations prohibit captains and crew from being included in the total bag limit of redfish when on a for-hire trip. The daily bag limit for redfish in Texas is three redfish per person. 3 kg). Average number of Red Drum collected in gill nets per net-night of sampling effort (CPUE) at Calaveras Reservoir annually from 1999-2016. Texas Parks and Wildlife will incorporate the details of these new regulations into the 2022-23 edition of its Outdoor Annual. One of the most noticeable differences to anglers is the peak. All county bag limits, special provisions and restrictions apply; refer to the Outdoor Annual. 31, 2024. Drum Bag & Length Limits. ABC) to 15,400,000 pounds whole weight, as recommended by the Scientific and Statical Committee (SSC). See definitions of daily bag and possession limits. The daily bag limit for redfish in Texas is three redfish per person. This fish is a member of the croaker family and is related to the Atlantic croaker, red drum, and spotted seatrout. Mackerel Bag & Length Limits. Only Texas, Louisiana, and Florida have enacted black drum bag and size limits, but even. Waters with consumption advisories issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) are also listed here. This publication is the first in a series. when the state set size limits, but Texas began to tighten. Mackerel Bag & Length Limits. The tags placed on the redfish will. Jim West, 409-996-3054 What is the legal size for red drum in Texas? For red drum, minimum length = 20 inches, with no maximum length limit. The redfish is a stealthy hunter found throughout the Texas Coastal Bend. The world record red drum weighed 94 pounds, 2 ounces and hailed from North Carolina. On head boats, limit is 10 per person per day. Snell a circle hook to an 8-inch length of 80-pound-test mono. Bow Fishing Regulations. Texas Red Drum Fishing. written by Nate Skinner August 2, 2023. Table of Contents show. Texas Redfish Limits A redfish must be at least 20″ but no more than 28″ in length to be legally harvested. 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. The larger the fish, the less desirable the meat. The higherfreshwater drum texas regulations. Black Drum and Red Drum are related and share many notable characteristics including body shape, diet, and migration patterns. , maximum size is 28 in. , 1995). There are also limits on the number of fish that you can keep, so make sure to check your state’s regulations in this article for more information. 1-Dec. Table of Contents show. The revised 2021 red snapper catch limits. The recreational limit for Red Drum is currently 1 fish per day, between 18 to 27 inches total length. One redfish over the maximum length can be kept each year with a red drum tag that comes with a fishing license. Additionally, one of the five fish is allowed to be over 25”. C. Special regulations may apply to certain waterbodies. Body is copper-bronze, fading to a lighter belly. The spawning stock of red drum is measured with a spawning potential ratio (SPR), simply put, the number of red drum available to spawn relative to the population if they were not fished. Fishing with a Boat. for regulations; the Lone Star State has. Red Drum Tag and Release. Gradually, red drum expand their diet to include fish and larger invertebrates. On head boats, limit is 10 per person per day. 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. We will definitely be booking with Jimmy on our net trip down. The limit on black drum in Texas is. Game fish may be taken only by pole and line (which includes rod and reel), except as otherwise provided in this guide. A slot limit is a tool used by fisheries managers to regulate the size of fish that can legally be harvested from particular bodies of water. 15. Harvest. 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. As mentioned above, the daily bag limit of red drum or single black drum and the possession of redfish in Texas is 3. Red dram regulations were changed to 5 fish/day and minimum 46 cm TL for harvest, 1986-1988, and again to 3 fish/day and minimum 51 cm TL for harvest, 1989-1990. Mullet Bag & Length Limits. in Rockport, Texas . Total harvest was estimated at 625,000 pounds; 300,000 by the. Humble, TX. Despite their abundance, black drum are generally overlooked by upper Laguna Madre anglers. Amendment 2 compliance requirements to the states include: • Implementing bag and size limits projected by bag and size limit analysis to achieve the minimum 40% sSPR. Spawning seems to occur in open water. Redfish grow faster, usually hitting length and weight milestones a year earlier than black drum for the first six years. 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. 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. a Black Drum: No more than one black drum over 52 inches may be retained per person per day and counts as part of the daily bag and possession limit. This allows anglers to harvest more fish. 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. Reviewed May 24, 2016 . (G) Drum, red. 10. 1. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offers several digital licenses that authorize digital tagging of harvested deer, turkey, and oversized red drum. 2009 regs from Virginia to Texas. Black drum Daily Bag: 5 Min Length: 14 inches Max Length: 30 inches. Non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks MUST be used when fishing for sharks in state. Now if you have children with you they can get a Tag only for $3. Flounder. Eric Glass, @captainericg, 956-434-1422; Galveston Bay: Capt. 1 Can You Eat Red Drum? 8. 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). 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. 3. No Limit No Limit a b One black drum over 52" allowed as part of the daily bag. 1, 2022. Generally, fish do not weigh a pound an inch. 0 mm diameter), with large females producing >1 million eggs. New in Fishing for 2023-2024. 7. Texas Redfish Limits. Waters listed on this page are subject to special gear restrictions or special harvest limits on one or more species of fish. Red drum often live to 30 – 50 years of age and spawn annually after reaching maturity. — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has changed fishing regulations for Red Drum (Redfish) throughout the state. 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. 007, F. 2 Gear Restrictions 5. Charlie Paradoski, charlieparadoski. In addition to these 3 states, Texas allows you to keep one bull redfish per year. Related. Legal Devices, Methods & Restrictions. The world record red drum weighed 94 pounds, 2 ounces and hailed from North Carolina. Redfish, also known as Red Drum, are members of the Drum family. Gar Bag & Length Limits. Unlawful to gig, spear, or gaff red drum. The primary products of the red drum industry are fresh or frozen fillets and steaks (170-340 g), although whole, gutted fish are occasionally sold as well. Bag and length limits apply to listed saltwater species. 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. Blue Tilapia Non-game fish; no size minimum or possession limit. One red drum tag (Item 598) is available at no additional charge (limit one per customer). Bonus Red Drum Tag: Resident and Non-Resident: $3. min. Posts: 22. Joined: Jun 2011. Red drum are bottom feeders where they feed on crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish such as menhaden, mullet, pinfish, and spot. Red Drum are managed in each Gulf and South Atlantic state by specific catch/harvest regulations. May 16, 2023; mullins funeral home radford, vaExclusive Economic Zone (3-200 miles) closed to harvest of red drum . Fish grow to an average maximum size of 30 inches. Red drum management has generally involved sociological, economic and biological considerations (Matlock 1978). Use a leader with a length of 18 to 24 inches and a test weight of 20 to 30 pounds. Maximum Size. The Drum Lines Black drum, also known as banded drum, drum fish, big drum or gray drum, depending on local parlance, are growing in popularity among inshore anglers. when the state set size limits, but Texas began to tighten. Required to take one red drum longer than 28 inches per license year. Chef Davis Turner specializes in black drum, try his fish fry recipe with your catch. AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted multiple changes to the freshwater fishing regulations for the upcoming 2022-2023 season at the meeting held March 24. Amendment requires states to implement recreational creel and size limits to achieve the fishing mortality target, including a maximum size limit of 27 inches and maintain. Daily bag limit is 5, size limit is 14"-30", and regulations allow you to keep one over 52". For Texas, there is a five-fish limit for recreational fishing. The record red drum was 94. 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. Large scales. Feeding habits of red drum (Sciaenops ocelltus)in Galveston Bay, Texas: Seasonal diet variation and. 12861 Galm Road #7 San Antonio, Texas 78254 (210) 688-9460 or 688-9516 Randy Myers, BiologistThe primary products of the red drum industry are fresh or frozen fillets and steaks (170-340 g), although whole, gutted fish are occasionally sold as well. Daily Bag: 5. c Flounder possession limit is 5 fish. and more. Red Drum fishing is a fast-growing fish that can reach up to 94 pounds, with the current Texas record being 59 1/2 pounds. Flounder. General Regulations. Gar Bag & Length Limits. Red Drum also thrives in our inshore waters in the Cape Fear River, and its smaller creeks, and back bay areas just off the main river channel. The daily limit is three fish per person. The best time of year to catch redfish in the gulf is. Spotted seatrout males average 19 inches (48 cm) in length. 00: Yes: 600: Freshwater Fishing Guide: Resident and Non-Resident:. This allows anglers to harvest more fish. Size limit: 15-in minimum. This replaces a previous advisory issued in 2010. Outdoorsman. Commercial landings of red drum from state and Federal waters rose to 8. No Red Drum were collected in the 2014 gill net survey. There is no telling how many fish we through back. All winning fish (except tagged red drum) shall be determined by weight. Daily creel limit: 5 fish (1 over 27-inches) 1992 State implements authority of the Board of Natural Resources to. Red drum have no barbels and 1 or more black spots on back near tail; banded drum have oblique mouths and no barbels on [email protected], La. S. 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. Endorsements are not required for this license. Bow Fishing Regulations. Definitions. Redfish, which scientists and state. “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. The egg sinker allows the bait to move naturally with the current, while the swivel prevents line twist. , maximum size is 28 in. 170 cm (5 1/2 ft), common to 50 cm (19 in) Fin Element Counts. This means that a licensed (or exempt) angler can keep two red drum in a given day. Indeed as the Texas population grows, the interest in fishing has. Red drum: 18 inches minimum size limit, possession limit of 3 fish per person per day; Black sea bass: 13-inch minimum size limit,. C. You can keep a maximum of 3 fish per angler per day. Louisiana, however, has a 16. "I knew it was a monster. 1991 Creel limit reduced through Board of Natural Resources action Season: All year . The state record black drum weighed 81 pounds and was 51. This includes a recreational bag limit of 50 fish per person per day and a reduction in commercial harvest of 1% from the states 10 year average. 5. Species: Sciaenops ocellatus. Fish. In 1989, the slot limit of 18-27 inches, the bag limit of one fish per person and a closed season from March-May were put in place. Spanish mackerel. The following are current state regulations for redfish from the Carolinas to Texas. Wild-caught from Virginia to Texas. Red snapper: Limit in waters under. Times are changing for red drum across the south, and the impact is likely to be felt as far north as the Chesapeake Bay. 0 mm diameter), with large females producing >1 million eggs. This dataset depicts the boundaries of the Atlantic Red Drum Fishery Harvest or Possession Prohibition Area. Possession & Transport of Exotic Aquatic Species. 42; October 20, 2023 Section 57. Max Length: No limit. Hybrid striped bass and catfish are the next most sought after species. (iv) During November, lawful means are restricted to pole-and-line only and the bag and possession limit for flounder is two. 5 inches) on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and were relatively common up to about 116 cm (45. (ii) Minimum length limit: 14 inches. 00: Yes: 444. Minimum size is 20 in. take, kill, or disturb any endangered or threatened fish species (paddlefish, shovel-nosed sturgeon, sawfish and others). Definitions. Madre in Texas to the Atlantic Chesapeake Bay contain juveniles. According to our conversion factor - a 40-inch black drum would weigh, on average, around 32 pounds. Whether you catch them or buy them at the fish counter, Black drums are safe to eat once they’re cleaned and deboned. Red drum have been stocked into other lakes — Colorado City. Crimp the sleeve and remove the excess mono. Austin, Texas. The Texas record taken by a sport angler is 81 pounds but most bull drum caught weigh 30 to 40 pounds. Possession limit = the daily bag. The possession limit is equal to double the bag limit unless otherwise noted. Generally, fish do not weigh a pound an inch. A Texas fishing license valid in saltwater includes one red drum tag that an angler can use to retain a single redfish measuring more than the 28-inch maximum length limit. 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. Size (Inches) 34 18 14 37 14 20 14 No Limit. -Reducing the blue and channel catfish daily bag limit from 25 to 5 on the downstream. Largemouth Bass Limit: 5 per day Size: 18 in. Red drum are also known as redfish, channel bass, or simply “reds”. They’re both excellent for bass as well. As with other species, market prices are driven by issues of supply and demand. You can cast four or five rods into the water, placing each in a rod holder. A recent study of Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus stock enhancement operations undertaken by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) suggested there was a significant difference in mortality. Powerful pharyngeal teeth used to crush oysters and other shellfish. The size limit is set between 18 inches and 27 inches to allow the larger, sexually mature red drum to spawn. The regulation changes are as follows: Sam Rayburn Reservoir (Angelina, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Sabine, and San Augustine counties) — Delineate. Those changes will take effect on April 1 and are. According to our conversion factor - a 40-inch black drum would weigh, on average, around 32 pounds. Daily Bag: 5/2 (in any combination) Min Length: 15 inches. Resident Annual: $15. The limit for catching red drum varies by state and can change seasonally. c/o Coastal Resources Division. Outdoorsman. * The Texas A&M University System Red Drum Production of Food Fish James T. All other states have redfish size limits that don’t allow you to keep fish over their slot limit. (F) Drum, black. The record red drum was 94 pounds and was caught on the East coast. based on a von. 7 inches TL) on both coasts. ) are allowed. These smaller fish are actually quite good to eat. and Texas to obtain a revised estimate of red snapper abundance of 85. This. 4200 Smith School Rd. Possession & Transport of Exotic Aquatic Species. No fish over 23 inches to be retained by anglers. ” All three lakes have a 20-inch minimum length requirement, no maximum size limit and a daily bag limit of three fish. . 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. Valid Sep. Game fish - see bag & size limits. record is 94 pounds and was caught along the North Carolina coast. An example of these limits would be in Virginia, fish must be within 46cm and 66cm, with a limit of three fish per angler per day. Fishing with a Boat. One black drum may be retained up to 52 inches per day in state waters. By Tracy Villarreal November 9, 2022. Other Snapper p. larger Braunig red drum in years 2 and 3 than were reported for Texas saltwater red drum populations. Maximum size length of 23 inches. S. Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission meeting, Nov. Min. Once that tage is used you can get a "bonus" tag as well. Texas Commercial Fishing regulations summary 2023 2024 SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 – AUGUST 31, 2024. S. Anglers may use no more than two poles while fishing. • Texas. In the Texas waters of the Red River below Lake Texoma (from Denison Dam downstream to Shawnee Creek) and the removal of the minimum length limits for catfish, reduce the daily bag limit for blue and channel catfish from 25 to 15 fish. Included with the purchase of a saltwater fishing endorsement or any package that includes the saltwater fishing endorsement. min. 08/17/2023 Black Drum, Flounder, Redfish. Average number of Red Drum collected in gill nets per net-night of sampling effort (CPUE) at Calaveras Reservoir annually from 1999-2016. Legal Devices, Methods & Restrictions. a Black Drum: No more than one over 52 inches retained per person per day and counts as part of the daily bag and possession limit. For current recreational and commercial size and creel limits, see Maryland's updated regulation page. 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. Increases of about two inches per year occur after that. Legal Devices, Methods & Restrictions. Red drum are also commonly known as redfish and spottail bass. Younger fish may feed on small invertebrates such as. Its distinguishing characteristics include three to five pairs of small barbels or "whiskers" on their chins to help them feel for food on the sea floor; a lateral line that extends to the tip of its caudal (tail) fin; inferior mouth. See tagging information. Recreational saltwater anglers may possess a two-day’s bag limit of red drum on land; however, no person may possess more than the daily bag limit of red drum in any one day or while fishing or while on the water, unless that recreational saltwater angler is aboard a trawler engaged in commercial fishing for a consecutive period longer than. 9 kg) on average. 4(a)(1) of this title (relating to Lifetime Licenses) that exceeds the maximum length. 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. Max Length: 25 inches. Spotted seatrout males average 19 inches (48 cm) in length. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Perry R. Grassy flats, on the other hand, can be tackled even. 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). Possession & Transport of Exotic Aquatic Species. The Red Drum fishery management plan (FMP) prohibited directed commercial harvest from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for 1987. 1–Dec. If you catch and keep a drum larger than 55 inches it counts your as 5-bag limit. The University of Southern Mississippi Search.