The black drum limit is a bit more liberal, allowing five fish per day, with a slot of 14 to 30 inches. The flounder limit also is generous - 10 per day, with a 14-inch minimum. Black drum: Limit is five per day; 14-inch minimum, 30-inch maximum. A single black drum measuring 52 inches may be retained and counts in the daily bag. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Show.

Falling for Redfish

• At the time of publication, the daily bag limit for black drum is five fish. A slot length limit of 14 to 30 inches is in place, which means fish shorter than 14 inches or longer than 30 inches.
• Size Limit Bag and Possession Season Notes; Black drum: 16 inches minimum total length; 27 inches maximum total length; Five per person per day; No more than one over 27-inch maximum total length; Open year-round in state waters: Red drum: 16 inches minimum total length; 27 inches maximum total length; Five per person per day.
• 14'-30' Tx SLOT LIMIT. Do you want to catch the BIG ones for the fun of it and then release them?

Fall season is without a doubt the BEST time to catch Redfish while fishing the Galveston waters. It’s the annual fall migration of big bull reds as they head from the bays into the Gulf to spawn, and you’re sure to see a line of anglers in the pass with lines in the water ready to snag a bull! Here’s everything you need to know about fishing for Redfish in October while visiting Galveston, Texas.

Redfish, also known as Red Drum, are members of the Drum family. This family gets its name from their propensity and ability to make a unique drumming/grunting sound when pulled from the water. Redfish are identified by a large, ringed spot (or spots) on the upper part of the body at the start of the tail. Their colors can run from silver to copper red which fades to white on the bottom. They are similar to black drum, but Redfish have no barbels (or feelers), and the Black Drum never have the spot near the tail.

Redfish are usually bottom feeders, which is why the migratory season is so hot. They are on the move in mass and are easier to target. You know the saying “like fish in a barrel”? It’s *almost* like that… they are running from the nearby bays (Galveston Bay, West Bay, East Bay, and Trinity Bay) into the Gulf of Mexico and have to travel through either Galveston Pass or San Luis Pass. Just anchor down, and get ready to have your reels screamin’!

Multiple rods improve your chances for a great catch. You could go sight fishing for Redfish, which involves light tackle and fly rods in shallow waters… but during their migration we recommend drift fishing with several rods. Drift fishing is when you toss your bait just past the fish and let the fish discover the bait on their own as it passes by. When you get a hit, set the hook and hang on! The advantage of drift fishing while Redfish are migrating is that it feels natural for the Redfish to grab a bite while traveling, and with any luck the thing they’re snacking on is your bait!

Black Drum Slot Limit Texas State

Redfish Baits and Tackle

Redfish like small crustaceans such as shrimp or crab, as well as baitfish like mullet, pinfish, or lizardfish. Live or cut bait is usually best, but you can also land Redfish with artificial lures. When choosing a lure for your Redfish fishing trip, try spoons, spinnerbaits, or topwaters.

Black Drum Slot Limit Texas Longhorns

If you do decide to go sight fishing for Redfish, stay near shallow waters and watch for the flick of their tail against the top of the water. Again, use either a spoon or spinnerbait that will get the attention of the fish. Be sure to wear your polarized sunglasses when sight fishing, as they will help with the reflection off the water.

Fly fishing is another popular technique for catching Redfish in shallow waters. Redfish are great for fly fishing enthusiasts, as they are easy to see when they flick their tails on the topwater. And Redfish are extremely fun to catch on the fly! Use either a 8-wt or 9-wt rod and throw flies the Reds can see, such as the Chernobyl shrimp.

Redfish Regulations

Before heading out, be sure to check Texas Parks & Wildlife’s website (TPWD) for regulations; the Lone Star State has a daily bag limit and slot limit for Redfish. Currently (and until August 31, 2020) each angler can keep 3 Redfish that are within 20” to 28”. Each year the state also allows anglers to purchase a Bonus Red Drum Tag, allowing the angler to keep one Redfish that reaches more than 28 inches. These Bonus Tags are available at local retail stores that sell fishing gear and supplies.

Once you’ve landed your Redfish, it’s time to clean & fillet your catch to start preparing a delicious meal. You’ll want to cook it as soon as possible for the freshest dinner possible. Smaller Redfish tend to have a much better texture and taste than the larger Bull Reds. The larger fish tend to be more coarse and stringy, and the meat doesn’t have as good of flavor. Make sure to cook the fish all the way through, such as fried or grilled; do not serve raw for sashimi or ceviche as Redfish may contain parasites. However you cook Redfish, get ready for one of the most delicious and moist white meats with sweet & mild flavor.

If you haven’t experienced fishing for Redfish in Galveston during the fall migration season, get yourself a rod in hand and get out there! Whether you’re fishing solo from the shore, or hire a Professional Fishing Charter, it’s an experience not to be missed. Get your lines ready for a Red October in Galveston!

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Fishing for Black Drum Redfish are arguably the most popular saltwater gamefish in Texas. But, it hasn't always been that way. In fact, as recently as the 1970s, redfish weren't even classified as gamefish in the Lone Star State. Sure, they were popular among sport fishermen, but they were more popular among commercial fishermen. At the time, speckled trout were considered a more desirable light tackle target. Following the formation of the Gulf Coast Conservation Association (now the Coastal Conservation Association) and a lot of hard lobbying by the core group of saltwater anglers who revered redfish, redfish were granted the much desired designation of gamefish. Not only did this make redfish off-limits to commercial fishermen, it enhanced their value in the minds of thousands of fishermen who had previously shrugged them off as another non-game species. Today, the same attitude that once plagued the red drum is directed toward its cousin, the black drum. Although the two species are very similar, anglers' view of them are much different. Red drum are seen as a shallow water glamour species. Black drum have often been referred to as 'saltwater javelina.' Except for the difference in color and the deeper body inherent to the black drum, the two species are remarkably similar in appearance. And, they most often inhabit the same areas. In fact, Texas inshore fishermen are much more likely to encounter an over 30-inch black drum on a shallow flat than a redfish of similar proportions. So, why does one species overshadow the other so dramatically? Primarily the discrimination can be related to three things: 1. black drum are still considered a non-game species; 2. while black drum will make fairly long, determined runs, they are a tad slower than redfish; 3. redfish are much more aggressive feeders, readily gobbling natural and artificial baits, while black drum are tough to tempt with artificials, although it is possible. But, despite having three strikes against them, black drum can provide plenty of fun on the flats for anglers who know how to target them. Black drum can be found in a variety of habitats, including the surf, along jetties and in Gulf passes. For the purpose of this article, we'll focus on bay habitat that black drum find desirable. In general, black drum don't differ much from red drum when it comes to choosing feeding spots. Typically, black drum will be found in channels that bisect shallow flats during low tide or cool weather periods. They will move up to the edges of the adjacent flats during high tide. When found on the flats, the primary difference between the two drum species is black drum rarely wander far from the deeper channels, whereas redfish are well-known for traversing great distances in water barely deep enough to cover their backs. Otherwise, like reds, black drum routinely feed in large schools and will muddy the water in a rather large area while 'grubbing' for food along the bottom. Another key difference is, although they will occasionally wander over a sand flat, black drum prefer a muddy, mucky bottom year around. This bottom is all the more attractive if it is covered with oysters, mussels or other shell structure. Black drum will spend the majority of their time either scavenging or siphoning crabs, shrimp and marine worms from soft-bottom flats, although they will take a swipe an unsuspecting baitfish from time to time. Black drum are notorious for turning their nose up at artificial lures and flies. This belligerent behavior toward non-natural baits is often what attracts fly fishermen to black drum. In fact, saltwater fly fishermen from Florida to Texas often find the challenge of tempting a black drum with fur and feathers irresistible. Most seasoned black drum chasing long rodders are quick to point out the best patterns for this duty are understated, to put it politely. Unlike speckled trout and redfish, which are much more aggressive predators and like lots of flash and movement, black drum tend to more often mouth patterns that have subdued color pattern, are small in profile and offer little in the way of 'action.' Black, brown and olive are the most consistent colors. Clouser Minnows in size 4 or 6, small shrimp patterns and a host of small crab patterns tied in these colors offer the best odds for success. Conventional tackle fishermen hoping to tempt black drum on artificials should also look to baits in natural colors - and scents. DOA Shrimp and Softshell Crabs, GULP! Peeler Crabs, and Bass Assassin BLURP! Shrimp are some of the best bets. Glow, New Penny, Motor Oil and Brown Crab are among the best color patterns. These baits are most effective when free-lined or used to sight-cast to individual fish. Although crab and shrimp-shaped lures are the most effective for black drum, soft-plastic and bucktail jigs will dupe fish from time to time. Again, a small profile and natural color pattern are the key elements. The retrieve is equally important, not so much for what you should do, but for what you shouldn't. When tossing jigs at black drum, a s-l-o-w, steady retrieve is the best bet. While fly fishermen and artificial lure anglers will take some fish, those serious about getting into fast action with black drum should 'go natural.' Cracked crab tops the list of natural baits, with shrimp coming in a close second and cut baitfish coming in third. When it comes to shrimp, there are two distinct schools of thought. One camp swears live is the way to go. On the other side of the argument are anglers who believe dead shrimp are best. In fact, a great number of these fishermen take the dead bait belief a step further, insisting that 'long dead' is better than 'fresh dead' due to the scent it emits. These 'dead baiters' will often leave a bag a shrimp on the deck of their boat under a midday sun to 'ripen' them. Regardless of which natural bait you choose, they are each fished in similar manners. Light-tackle flats fishermen often sight-cast with unweighted baits. Using just a hook, these fishermen are able to land a cracked crab or a shrimp within inches of a fish without spooking it. If, however, the fish is busy 'rooting,' the bait will need to sink lower in the water column in order to get its attention. Usually, adding a split shot or two will provide plenty of ballast to get the job done. At other times, anglers prefer to anchor or stake their boats near known feeding areas, plant their baits on the bottom and wait for 'herds' of black drum to come by. When bottom fishing over shallow flats or during periods of minimal tidal movement, a Carolina rig is the preferred presentation. This rig, which utilizes an egg sinker, barrel swivel and short length of leader allows the fish to feel minimal resistance as it picks up a bait and moves off. However, when fishing channels during times of strong current movement, a Carolina rig will usually 'roll away' and can become difficult to manage. At times such as this, a traditional 'three-way' rig using a pyramid sinker to keep the bait pinned in place is the preferred method. Since black drum can be sensitive to pressure and will often drop a bait if it doesn't move freely, use the lightest sinker possible given the prevailing current strength. Anytime you're using natural baits, it pays to use 'self-setting' hooks such as Kahle-style and circle hooks. Light-wire circle bait hooks such as those offered by Daiichi and other manufacturers are ideal. These hooks not only hold live and dead baits securely, they take the guesswork out of hooksetting and, more often than not, hook the fish in the corner of the mouth. The self-setting function of these hooks can be a big advantage, as black drum often employ a deft touch when they pick up a bait and move away. The corner-of-the-mouth hook placement is always advantageous when dealing with slot-regulated species such as black and red drum, as any 'oversize' fish can be safely returned to the water. One of the advantages of catching a cooler of black drum is enjoying an evening of tasty fried fish afterward. Although anglers can often find black drum taping 3 feet or more on the flats, smaller samples are much better eating. Currently, the State of Texas allows anglers to take 5 fish between 14 and 30 inches. Most experienced black drum fishermen agree fish in the lower half of the slot are provide the best tasting fillets. Regardless of whether you're fishing for food or fun, you should try beating the 'other' drum from time to time. Although they're not held in as high of regard as their bronze cousin, they provide a surprisingly spirited fight and, should you so choose, a tasty dinner as a reward.