Drum Bag & Length Limits

Valid Sep. 1, 2024 through Aug. 31, 2025.

Black drum

Daily Bag:
5
Min Length:
14 inches
Max Length:
30 inches

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.

 

Red drum

Daily Bag:
3
Min Length:
20 inches
Max Length:
28 inches

During a license year, one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be retained when affixed with a properly 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. 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.

Digital tags must be reported using the Texas Hunt & Fish mobile app or online app in lieu of being affixed. See Digital Licenses and Tagging for more information.

 

Limits and Restrictions

  • The possession limit is equal to double the bag limit unless otherwise noted.
  • Bag and length limits apply to listed saltwater species.
  • There are no bag, possession, or length limits on game or nongame fish, except as listed in this guide. See definitions of daily bag and possession limits.

State & Federal Waters

  • For freshwater finfish species caught in the public salt waters of this state, statewide freshwater limits apply.
  • Recreational anglers must possess a Texas fishing license with a saltwater endorsement to land fish in state or federal water.
  • 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.
  • Federal law also regulates species between 9 and 200 nautical miles managed under a Federal Fishery Management Plan. See Transfer & Importation of Wildlife.
  • It is unlawful to possess aquatic life in Texas waters that was illegally taken in Federal waters.

Offshore Reefs

Fishing on state-sponsored offshore artificial reefs is subject to the same regulations as other offshore locations.