Top fish species at Horseshoe Bayou

Black drum
Black drum
Red drum
Red drum
App Section

Check which species have trophy potential in Horseshoe Bayou

Horseshoe Bayou fishing reports

Loading...

Black drum

length · weight

Loading...

Red drum

length · weight

Fishbrain
Have you been fishing here?

Log your catch and check out other catches from the community in the Fishbrain app.

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

General info

Horseshoe Bayou is a part of an ocean located in Bay County, Florida, United States. It is most popular for fishing Black drum and Red drum.

Location

30°02′58.3″N 85°23′51.7″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Horseshoe 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
Black drum

Black drum

Regulation boundaryFL State Waters
Bag limit5

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 size14" (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 size24" (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.

Memorable / trophy limits1 > 24

The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.

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
This species may be eligible for prizes and recognition if you submit photos through CatchaFloridaMemory.com Visit their website for more information.
Edibility
Good
Synonyms
Pogonias cromis
Season open: year-round
Red drum

Red drum

Regulation boundaryFL Panhandle (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
License Icon
Local laws and licenses

Florida fishing license

Get license

Cities nearby

Mexico Beach

7.1 miles away

Callaway

11.2 miles away

Tyndall AFB

12.8 miles away

Wewahitchka

13.0 miles away

Parker

13.3 miles away

Panama City

15.9 miles away

Port St. Joe

16.3 miles away

Lynn Haven

19.1 miles away

Pretty Bayou

20.6 miles away

Upper Grand Lagoon

22.1 miles away

Southport

22.4 miles away

Sumatra

24.9 miles away

Panama City Beach

31.4 miles away

Apalachicola

32.8 miles away

Blountstown

34.4 miles away

Laguna Beach

36.0 miles away

Bristol

36.1 miles away

Eastpoint

37.6 miles away

Ebro

39.3 miles away

Altha

39.6 miles away

St. George Island

41.1 miles away

Wausau

41.9 miles away

Hosford

42.7 miles away

Carrabelle

45.7 miles away

Anything missing or inaccurate?

Suggest changes to improve what we show.

Suggest changes

FAQ about Horseshoe Bayou fishing

📍 Where is Horseshoe Bayou located?
Horseshoe Bayou is a part of an ocean located in Bay County, Florida, United States. Its coordinates are:
30°02′58.3″N 85°23′51.7″W
.
🎣 Where on Horseshoe Bayou is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe Bayou?
The most common species in Horseshoe Bayou are:
  • Black drum - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Red drum - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Horseshoe Bayou fishing reports?
The latest Horseshoe Bayou fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Horseshoe Bayou right now?
According to fishing regulations at Horseshoe Bayou, some of the species in season this November include: Spotted seatrout, Common snook, Northern red snapper, Fat snook, and Atlantic bluefin tuna. 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 Horseshoe 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.

Get license
App Section
Download Fishbrain and fish smarter
Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish.

Free trial available

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...