2026 regulation year
Texas Red drum (saltwater) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Sciaenops ocellatus
Last updated
Red drum (redfish) are Texas's premier inshore saltwater target. The statewide rule is a 20–28 in slot with one trophy tag per angler per year for fish over 28 in. The species closed-windowed harvest cap is what keeps Texas Gulf redfish populations among the most stable in the Gulf.
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Season
Open year-round Open year-round; one over-slot tag per licence year.
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 3 / day
- Possession
- 6 in possession
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 20 in minimum
- Slot
- 20–28 in slot
- Trophy rule
- One fish over 28 in per licence year with red drum tag (issued with each saltwater licence)
Gear restrictions
- Pole-and-line, gig, or cast net (cast net for bait only)
- No snatch-hooking; no commercial-style gear for sport take
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Texas waters:
Aransas Bay system
Statewide 20–28 in slot, 3 / day; bay-specific bait-shrimp rules apply
Matagorda Bay
Statewide rule; commercial reef-harvest zones marked seasonally
Lower Laguna Madre
Statewide rule plus boat-traffic restrictions in seagrass exclusion zones
Sabine Lake
Shared TX/LA — TX licence on TX waters; LA reciprocity required on LA side
Official source
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department publishes the authoritative 2026 Texasfishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.
Visit official Texas fishing regulations →
Emergency-order channel
Red drum (saltwater) closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's emergency-order feed — check it before any Texas trip during the active season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is red drum (saltwater) season in Texas?
- Texas keeps red drum (saltwater) open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
- What is the Texas bag limit for red drum (saltwater)?
- The Texas daily bag limit for red drum (saltwater) is 3 / day. The possession limit is 6 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
- What size red drum (saltwater) can you keep in Texas?
- The Texas size rule for red drum (saltwater) is 20 in minimum. Slot limit: 20–28 in slot. Trophy rule: One fish over 28 in per licence year with red drum tag (issued with each saltwater licence).
- Do you need a license to fish for red drum (saltwater) in Texas?
- Yes. Texas requires a valid fishing license to fish for red drum (saltwater), with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Texas license — compare resident and non-resident Texas fees on the state regulations page below.
- Are there gear restrictions for red drum (saltwater) in Texas?
- Yes. In Texas, red drum (saltwater) fishing carries these gear rules: Pole-and-line, gig, or cast net (cast net for bait only); No snatch-hooking; no commercial-style gear for sport take.
- Do specific Texas waters have different red drum (saltwater) rules?
- Yes. 4 named Texas waters carry rules that override the statewide red drum (saltwater) regulation, including Aransas Bay system, Matagorda Bay, Lower Laguna Madre, and 1 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.