One of the first questions almost every guest asks Captain Tracy before a trip is some version of: “So, what are we actually going to catch out there?”
It’s a fair question. Cedar Key sits in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend, a stretch of coastline made up of grass flats, oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and winding tidal creeks that hold an unusually wide variety of inshore species. On any given trip, you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in six inches of water one hour and working a deeper channel for trout or sheepshead the next.
Here’s a breakdown of Cedar Key’s Top Catches, what makes each species fun to target, and what to know about current regulations before you plan to keep your catch.
Redfish (Red Drum)
If Cedar Key has a signature fish, it’s the redfish. Known for their coppery-bronze color and the trademark black spot near the tail, redfish are aggressive, hard-fighting, and abundant on the area’s shallow grass flats, especially around oyster bars where they root around for crabs and shrimp.
Where to find them: Redfish push up onto skinny flats on a rising tide and pull back into deeper potholes and channels as the water drops. Cedar Key’s maze of oyster bars makes near-perfect redfish structure.
Why anglers love them: Redfish are known for powerful runs and a willingness to eat both live bait and artificial lures, which makes them a favorite for anglers of every experience level, including kids on their first charter.
Current regulations: Florida manages redfish regionally. As of the most recent FWC guidance, the Big Bend region’s slot limit is 18 to 27 inches, with a bag limit of one fish per person (up to a 4-fish vessel limit in some regions). Because these numbers are reviewed and adjusted periodically, always confirm current size and bag limits on the FWC Red Drum regulations page before keeping a fish.
Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout)
Spotted seatrout, often just called “trout” or “specks” by locals, are one of the most consistent catches in Cedar Key’s grass flats. Their silver bodies covered in distinctive black spots, combined with a soft, toothy mouth, make them easy to identify and a blast to catch on light tackle.
Where to find them: Trout hold tight to grass flats, especially around drop-offs into deeper water. They tend to school, so finding one often means several more are nearby.
Why anglers love them: They’re a great option for steady action, often producing more bites per hour than redfish, and they respond well to topwater lures during low-light hours, a favorite technique among experienced anglers.
Current regulations: Florida has moved to a regional, “holistic” management approach for spotted seatrout, with slot limits and bag limits that vary by zone and are updated periodically. Because these rules have changed multiple times in recent years, the most reliable source is always the FWC Spotted Seatrout regulations page, which is updated whenever a new rule takes effect.
Sheepshead
Nicknamed the “convict fish” for its bold black vertical stripes, sheepshead are one of Cedar Key’s most popular structure-oriented species. They’re known for an oddly human-like set of teeth, built for crushing barnacles, crabs, and oysters off pilings and rocks.
Where to find them: Sheepshead hang around hard structures, docks, bridge pilings, oyster bars, and rocky bottoms, making them a great target when tide or weather conditions push the day toward structure fishing instead of open flats.
Why anglers love them: They’re notorious for a subtle bite that’s tricky to detect, which makes hooking one satisfying, and they’re widely considered one of the best-tasting fish in the Gulf.
Current regulations: Sheepshead generally carry a 12-inch minimum size limit and an 8-fish bag limit per person statewide, with a vessel cap during the March–April spawning run. As always, verify current numbers on the FWC Sheepshead regulations page before your trip.
Black Drum
Often mistaken for redfish by first-time anglers because of their similar shape, black drum are a heavier-bodied cousin of the redfish, known for a slow, grinding fight and a taste for crustaceans along the bottom.
Where to find them: Black drum favor deeper holes, channel edges, and areas with strong currents near oyster bars.
Why anglers love them: Larger black drum can put up a serious fight on light tackle, and smaller “puppy drum” in the 14-24″ range are considered excellent table fare.
Current regulations: Black drum generally carry a slot limit (commonly cited around 14 to 24 inches) with a 5-fish bag limit, though specifics can shift; confirm on the FWC Black Drum regulations page.
Flounder
Flounders are the ambush predators of Cedar Key’s flats, flat-bodied, with both eyes on one side, and built to lie camouflaged on a sandy or muddy bottom waiting for bait to swim past.
Where to find them: Sandy potholes within grass flats, channel edges, and areas near current breaks are classic flounder territory.
Why anglers love them: Their ambush strike is distinctive, and flounder are widely regarded as one of the best-eating fish caught inshore in Florida.
Current regulations: Flounder typically carry a 14-inch minimum size limit and a seasonal closure in the fall; check the FWC Flounder regulations page for current dates and limits.
Cobia
Cobia are a seasonal bonus species in Cedar Key, large, torpedo-shaped fish that show up as they migrate along the Gulf Coast, often cruising near the surface or following large rays.
Where to find them: Cobia are typically spotted visually, cruising the surface near markers, wrecks, or structures during their spring migration through the Big Bend.
Why anglers love them: They’re one of the larger, harder-fighting fish available on an inshore-style trip, and landing one is often the highlight of a season for regular Cedar Key anglers.
Current regulations: Cobia carry a 36-inch minimum size limit with a 1-fish bag limit per person, capped at 2 per vessel. Confirm current rules on the FWC Cobia regulations page.
Snook (Seasonal)
Snook are prized for their distinctive black lateral stripe and explosive strikes, and while they’re more commonly associated with South Florida, they do show up in Cedar Key’s waters, particularly in warmer months.
Where to find them: Mangrove shorelines, deeper holes near structures, and current edges during warmer water periods.
Current regulations: Snook require a separate snook permit in addition to a saltwater fishing license when harvesting, and the species is managed under strict regional slot limits and seasonal closures. Check the FWC Snook regulations page for current season dates in the Big Bend region.
Triple Tail
Triple tails are one of Cedar Key’s more unusual catches, oddly shaped, and often spotted floating near the surface around crab trap buoys, channel markers, or floating debris, where they can look more like a piece of trash than a fish.
Why anglers love them: Sight fishing for triple tail near the surface is a unique and exciting technique, and they’re considered excellent table fare.
Sharks
Cedar Key’s waters also hold a variety of smaller coastal shark species, making for an exciting option on trips geared toward thrill-seekers or families wanting a different kind of fight.
Current regulations: Shark fishing in Florida involves specific gear requirements (including non-offset circle hooks) and species-specific size and bag limits, with several protected species that must always be released. Review the FWC Shark regulations page before targeting sharks.
Spanish Mackerel
Fast, schooling, and aggressive, Spanish mackerel are a great option when the goal is non-stop action rather than trophy hunting.
Where to find them: Open water near grass flats and channel edges, often visible from diving birds working over a school of bait.
A Note on Regulations
Florida’s saltwater fishing regulations are reviewed and adjusted regularly by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, sometimes multiple times within a single season. The slot limits, bag limits, and seasons listed above reflect commonly cited figures at the time of writing, but rules can and do change. Before keeping any fish, always verify current regulations through the FWC Saltwater Recreational Fishing Regulations page or the free Fish Rules app.
The good news: when you book a guided charter, your captain handles this for you. Part of what you’re paying for with an experienced, licensed guide is up-to-date knowledge of exactly what’s legal to keep on any given day, one less thing to worry about while you’re focused on fishing.
One Trip, Several Species
Part of what makes Cedar Key special is how much variety is packed into a relatively small area. It’s entirely possible to start a half-day trip working oyster bars for redfish, move to a grass flat for trout, and finish working a dock piling for sheepshead, all without leaving the same general stretch of water.
That kind of variety is exactly why a knowledgeable local captain matters. Knowing which species are biting on a given tide, in a given season, with a given wind direction, is the difference between a trip that produces one species and a trip that produces five.
Ready to See What’s Biting?
Book your Cedar Key fishing charter with Captain Tracy and find out firsthand what’s running in Cedar Key’s waters right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What fish can you catch in Cedar Key, Florida?
A: Cedar Key’s inshore waters hold redfish, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, black drum, flounder, cobia, snook, triple tail, sharks, and Spanish mackerel, among other species, depending on the season.
Q: What is the most popular fish to catch in Cedar Key?
A: Redfish are widely considered Cedar Key’s signature catch, thanks to the area’s extensive oyster bars and shallow grass flats, which provide ideal redfish habitat.
Q: Do I need a fishing license to keep fish in Cedar Key?
A: Yes, a Florida saltwater fishing license is generally required to harvest fish, though anglers aboard a licensed charter are typically covered under the captain’s license.
Q: Are there size and catch limits on fish in Cedar Key?
A: Yes. Florida regulates size and bag limits by species and region, and these limits are updated periodically by the FWC. Always check current regulations before keeping any fish.
Q: What’s the best fish to target for beginners in Cedar Key?
A: Spotted seatrout and redfish are both considered beginner-friendly, since they’re abundant, willing to bite a variety of baits, and don’t require highly technical casting or presentation.
Saltwater Outlaw Charters, Cedar Key, FL | Captain Tracy Collins | 352-843-4067
