What the IFA Redfish Tour is and who fishes it
The IFA Redfish Tour is a competitive fishing circuit run by the International Game Fish Association, focused entirely on redfish (also called red drum) caught in Florida's coastal waters. The tour runs a series of tournaments throughout the year at different locations along Florida's Gulf and Atlantic coasts, drawing both recreational and professional anglers who want to fish against others at the same skill level and compete for prize money.
The tour operates in divisions based on boat size and angler experience, so a person fishing from a small center console can compete in their own bracket rather than against offshore boats. Tournaments typically last one or two days, and you fish during a set window — usually dawn to a fixed afternoon deadline — then weigh your catch at an official weigh station. The angler or team with the heaviest redfish wins their division.
Most participants are serious recreational anglers who fish redfish regularly and want the structure of a tournament schedule. Some are guides who fish with clients, and some are full-time tournament competitors. You do not need to be a member of any club to enter; you register for individual tournaments through the IFA website or at the host venue.
Key Takeaways
- The IFA Redfish Tour holds multiple tournaments per year at different Florida coastal locations, with separate divisions for different boat sizes and experience levels.
- You register for individual tournaments rather than joining a season-long membership, and entry fees typically range from $100 to $300 per boat depending on the event.
- Tournaments run on a set schedule — usually one or two days with a fixed fishing window and a mandatory weigh-in at an official location.
- Prize money is distributed to top finishers in each division, with payouts varying by tournament size and entry count.
- All fish are measured and weighed according to IGFA rules, and violations result in disqualification or forfeiture of prize money.
Tournament schedule and locations
The IFA Redfish Tour runs events across Florida's major redfish fisheries, including the Gulf Coast (Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, the Panhandle) and the Atlantic side (Indian River Lagoon, Brevard County). The schedule typically spans from late fall through spring, when redfish are most active and water conditions are most predictable. Exact dates and locations change year to year, so checking the official IFA website before each season is necessary.
Each tournament is hosted by a local marina, fishing lodge, or tournament organizer who handles registration, the weigh station, and prize distribution. The host venue publishes the specific rules for that event — which species count, minimum size requirements, bag limits, and the exact fishing window. Some tournaments allow only redfish; others allow redfish plus one or two other species like snook or tarpon, depending on the location and season.
Registration usually opens four to six weeks before the tournament and closes one to two weeks before the event date. Many tournaments fill up, especially popular ones in peak season, so registering early is practical if you know you want to fish a specific event.
Entry fees, divisions, and how prize money works
Entry fees per boat typically range from $100 to $300, depending on the tournament size and location. Some events charge additional fees for optional side pots — separate competitions within the main tournament where anglers can bet extra money on categories like "biggest fish" or "most fish caught." Side pots are optional and do not affect your standing in the main tournament.
Divisions are organized by boat size (typically 18 feet and under, 18 to 25 feet, and 25 feet and over) and sometimes by angler experience level (recreational versus professional). This structure means you compete against boats similar to yours rather than being outmatched by larger, better-equipped vessels. Some tournaments also run a separate division for guides fishing with clients.
Prize money is distributed to the top three to five finishers in each division, with the exact payout structure posted before the tournament. Larger tournaments with more entries offer bigger payouts; smaller local events may offer smaller prizes or even just bragging rights and a plaque. All prize money comes from entry fees, so the more boats that enter, the larger the total purse.
Rules, fish handling, and what disqualifies you
All fish are measured and weighed according to IGFA (International Game Fish Association) rules. Redfish must meet the minimum size set by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — currently 18 inches — and you cannot exceed the daily bag limit, which is three redfish per person per day in most Florida waters. The tournament rules will specify whether you can keep three fish or must fish for one largest fish.
Fish are measured from the tip of the mouth to the end of the tail, and weighed on a certified scale at the official weigh station. You must bring your fish to the weigh station before the deadline; fish weighed after the cutoff are disqualified. Dead fish are weighed as-is; some tournaments allow live release of non-winning fish, but rules vary by event.
Common disqualifications include undersized fish, fish caught outside the tournament window, exceeding the bag limit, and falsifying catch information. If a fish is found to be undersized after weigh-in, that fish is removed from your total and you may be disqualified from the tournament entirely. Violations are taken seriously because the integrity of the competition depends on honest reporting.
What to bring and how to prepare
Bring your fishing license (required by Florida law), your boat's registration, and proof of liability insurance if required by the tournament. Most tournaments require you to have a valid Florida saltwater fishing license, which you can obtain through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website or at most bait and tackle shops.
Prepare your boat and tackle the day before. Check that your rod guides are clean, your reels are spooled with fresh line, and your net or gaff is in working order. Bring extra tackle — hooks, leaders, lures — because redfish fishing can be hard on equipment, especially if you are fishing shallow water with oyster bars and mangrove roots. A cooler with ice is essential for keeping fish fresh between catch and weigh-in.
Scout the fishing area if you can before tournament day. Redfish location changes with tide, water temperature, and season, so knowing where fish are holding in that particular water at that time of year gives you an advantage. Local guides and bait shops near the tournament venue can point you toward productive areas.
Finding tournaments and registering
The official IFA website lists all upcoming Redfish Tour events, including dates, locations, entry fees, and registration links. You can also contact the host venue directly — the marina or lodge running the tournament — to ask about registration and any local rules specific to that event.
Registration is typically done online through the IFA website or the host venue's website. You will need to provide your name, boat information (size and type), and contact details. Some tournaments require a signed waiver acknowledging the rules and releasing the tournament organizers from liability. Payment is usually due at registration, though some events accept payment at the weigh station on tournament morning.
If a tournament is full, you can usually join a waiting list in case another angler cancels. Popular tournaments in peak season (January through March) fill quickly, so registering as soon as registration opens increases your chances of getting in.
What happens after the tournament
Results are posted at the weigh station immediately after the final weigh-in, and prize money is distributed the same day or within a few days. Winners receive a check or cash payout, and most tournaments award a plaque or certificate to top finishers in each division. Results are also posted on the IFA website and may be published in local fishing publications.
If you place in the money, that result becomes part of your tournament history and may be tracked by the IFA for season-long standings or angler rankings, depending on how the tour is structured that year. Some years the IFA crowns an annual Redfish Tour champion based on cumulative points across multiple tournaments; other years tournaments are standalone events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an experienced angler to fish the IFA Redfish Tour?
No. Most tournaments have a recreational division specifically for anglers who fish for fun rather than professionally. You compete against others at your skill level, so you are not outmatched by tournament pros. If you have fished redfish before and know how to handle a boat safely, you can enter a recreational division.
Can I fish the tournament alone, or do I need a team?
Most tournaments allow single anglers to fish alone in a boat, and you compete individually. Some events also offer a team division where two or three anglers fish together and combine their catch. Check the specific tournament rules to see what divisions are offered.
What if I catch a fish that is too small or over the size limit?
If a fish is undersized, you must release it immediately and cannot weigh it. If you exceed the bag limit, only the largest fish (or the number allowed) count toward your total. Weighing an illegal fish results in disqualification, so it is better to release and move on.
How much does it cost to fish a tournament?
Entry fees typically range from $100 to $300 per boat, depending on the tournament. Larger, more prestigious events cost more. Optional side pots add extra cost but are not required to compete in the main tournament.
Where do I find the tournament schedule?
The IFA website lists all Redfish Tour events with dates, locations, and registration information. You can also contact local marinas and fishing lodges in Florida coastal areas, as they often host or know about upcoming tournaments in their region.