Texas and South Carolina red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) were compared to evaluate long-term growth characteristics of the two hatchery stocks; this paper summarizes the first 3 years of growth. Red drum from each group were spawned in spring 1986, and fry were held in either outdoor earthen ponds or indoor recirculating tanks through March 1989. No consistent difference in growth was found between the two groups over the 3-year test period.