Red Drum (Redfish) (also known as Red Drum, Channel Bass, Spottail Bass) in Texas. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit, slot rule — verified against the TPWD guide, 2026.
In Texas, the minimum legal size for Red Drum (Redfish) is 20 in and the daily bag limit is 3. A slot limit applies: 20 to 28 inches (harvest slot). During a license year, one red drum over 28" may be retained with a properly completed Red Drum Tag, and one additional over 28" with a Bonus Red Drum Tag — these are in addition to the daily bag. There is no closed season in TX.
20 to 28 inches (harvest slot). During a license year, one red drum over 28" may be retained with a properly completed Red Drum Tag, and one additional over 28" with a Bonus Red Drum Tag — these are in addition to the daily bag.
No closed season
Same rule statewide along the Texas Gulf coast. Texas state waters (Gulf out to 9 nautical miles, plus all bays/passes). Slot, bag and oversized-tag rules are Texas-specific.
These limits are pulled from the TPWD saltwater bag and length limits. Last verified September 2026.
Always check the official guide before keeping any fish. Regulations change. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department updates its guide annually and occasionally mid-year. Fines for over-bag or undersized fish are significant.
Texas requires a fishing licence plus a Saltwater Fishing Endorsement (stamp) to fish in public salt water. Texas fishing licences.
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