Top fish species at Sams Bayou

Sheepshead
Sheepshead
Red drum
Red drum
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Sams Bayou fishing reports

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Sheepshead

length · weight

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Red drum

length · weight

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General info

Sams Bayou is a part of an ocean located in Citrus County, Florida, United States. It is most popular for fishing Sheepshead and Red drum.

Location

28°47′5.4″N 82°39′2.4″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Sams Bayou, FL

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Florida can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Sheepshead

Sheepshead

Regulation boundaryFL State + Fed Waters
Bag limit8

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size12" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Multiple Hooks

Harvest of this species by or with the use of any multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited.

Additional information
Vessel limit = 50 per trip during March and April Legal Gear: hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gigThis species may be eligible for prizes and recognition if you submit photos through CatchaFloridaMemory.com Visit their website for more information.
Edibility
Very good; Catch, Clean, Cook Sheepshead
Synonyms
Archosargus probatocephalus, Referee fish
Season open: year-round
Red drum

Red drum

Regulation boundaryFL Big Bend (Redfish)
Bag limit1

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size18" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Max size27" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Vessel limit4

The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Multiple Hooks

Harvest of this species by or with the use of any multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited.

Zero Bag for Captain

Bag and possession limit for captains and crew on for-hire vessels is zero.

Keep-Whole

Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore - head and tail must be intact.

Additional information
Off-the-water transport limit is four fish per person.Legal Gear: hook and line, cast nets
Edibility
Very Good
Synonyms
Channel Bass, Redfish, Sciaenops ocellatus, Spottail Bass
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Local laws and licenses

Florida fishing license

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Cities nearby

Homosassa

2.6 miles away

Homosassa Springs

7.0 miles away

Crystal River

8.3 miles away

Sugarmill Woods

9.8 miles away

Lecanto

10.5 miles away

Black Diamond

12.7 miles away

Pine Island

14.7 miles away

Pine Ridge

14.7 miles away

Citrus Hills

15.0 miles away

North Weeki Wachee

16.7 miles away

Inglis

17.1 miles away

Weeki Wachee Gardens

17.2 miles away

Yankeetown

17.9 miles away

Citrus Springs

18.5 miles away

Brookridge

19.0 miles away

Inverness

19.1 miles away

Hernando

19.9 miles away

Wiscon

20.2 miles away

Lake Lindsey

20.4 miles away

Floral City

21.4 miles away

North Brooksville

22.2 miles away

Brooksville

23.1 miles away

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FAQ about Sams Bayou fishing

📍 Where is Sams Bayou located?
Sams Bayou is a part of an ocean located in Citrus County, Florida, United States. Its coordinates are:
28°47′5.4″N 82°39′2.4″W
.
🎣 Where on Sams Bayou is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Sams Bayou by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Sams Bayou?
The most common species in Sams Bayou are:
  • Sheepshead - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Red drum - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Sams Bayou fishing reports?
The latest Sams Bayou fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Sams Bayou right now?
According to fishing regulations at Sams Bayou, some of the species in season this November include: Common snook, Fat snook, Atlantic bluefin tuna, Lane snapper, and Grey triggerfish. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Sams Bayou?

Fishing in Florida requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Freshwater, saltwater, or combination licenses are available for residents and visitors, purchasable online, by phone, or at authorized retailers.

In Florida, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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