Florida Saltwater Fishing Regulations

  Because local regulations governing the taking of saltwater species may exist, you should contact the Florida Marine Patrol (FMP) Field office nearest the location where you will be fishing.

Amberjack  28" fork (Greater Amberjack only)***3 per person per day 1 per person per day-Monroe Co. only Aggregate total applies to all species having a bag limit (Greater & Lesser Amberjack, Almaco Jack, Banded Ruddderfish). Illegal to sell, purchase, or exchange Greater Amberjack less than 36" fork length

Billfish-- Sailfish 57"

Blue Marlin 86" 

White Marlin 62"***1 per person per daySpecies include Marlin, Spearfish, and Sailfish. Illegal to buy or sell. Federal size limits apply.

Black Drum  Not less than 14" or, more than 24"***5 per person per day Illegal to possess more than one over 24"

Black Mullet 50 per vessel or person, whichever is less per day Mullet is not a restricted species west of Ochlockonee River. Closed season subject to change, call local FMP office.

Bluefish  12" fork***10 per person per day

Bonefish18"***1 per person per day Illegal to buy and sell. Possession limit one

Clams-Hard1" thick at hinge***one 5 gal. bucket per person or 2 per vessel, whichever is less per day Illegal to harvest from closed areas. Call FMP for current information

Cobia (ling) 33" fork***2 per person per day

Crab-Blue   S******10 gallons whole per daySPL with RS & Blue Crab endorsements required to use over 5 traps. Trap requirements apply. Harvest of egg-bearing crabs prohibited.

Crab-Stone   2 3/4" clawMay 15 to Oct. 151 gal. Stone Crab Claws per person or 2 gal. per vessel, whichever is less.SPL with RS & Stone Crab endorsements required to use over 5 traps. Trap requirements apply. Illegal to possess whole crab.

Crawfish More than 3" carapace April 1 - Aug. 5 Exception: Sportsman - last successive Wed. & Thur. of July each year 24 per vessel or 6 per person per day whichever is greater SPL with RS endorsements required to use traps. Crawfish stamp required. Special bag limit for recreational license holder - 50. Call FMP for current information on sportsman's season

Dolphin ******10 per person per day 20" size limit for sale

Flounder  12"***10 per person per day May be harvested with a gig.

Grey Trigger 12"

Grouper  20"***5 Aggregate of all species per dayIncludes Yellowfin, Red, Black, Gag, Yellowmouth, Scamp, Harvest of Nassau and Jewfish prohibited

Grouper-Warsaw  1 per vessel per day Not counted in Grouper aggregate bag limit.

Hogfish  12" fork***5 per person per day

Mackerel-King 20" fork***2 per person per dayBag limit in Gulf-Atlantic fishery reduced to 1 when federal waters are closed to all harvest.

Mackerel-Spanish 12"***10 per person per dayLength is measured from tip of nose to rear center of tail. Transfer of Spanish Mackerel to other vessels is prohibited.

Oysters 3" June, July, Aug. in Dixie, Wakula, Levy counties. July, Aug. Sept. in all other areas.2 bags per person or vessel, whichever is less per day. Apalachicola Bay has summer & winter seasons. Harvest from approved shellfish areas only. Call FMP for current information.

Permit  Not less than 10" or more than 20"***10 per person per day May possess one over 20". Aggregate bag limit of 10 Pompano or Permit per person per day.

Pompano  Not less than 10" or more than 20"***10 per person per day May possess one over 20". Aggregate bag limit of 10 Pompano or Permit per person per day.

Pompano-African  Not less than 24"***2 fish per day per vesselHook & line gear only.

Red Drum (Redfish) Not less than 18" or more than 27"***1 per person per day. Gigging, spearing, snatching prohibited. Illegal to buy or sell native Red Drum.

Red Porgy 12" on Atlantic Coast

Scallops-Bay***Sept. 1 - June 302 gallons whole or 1 pint meat per person, no more than 10 gallons whole 1/2 gallon meat per vessel anytime Restricted harvest areas apply to certain state waters. Call FMP for current information.

Sea Bass 8"

Shad***March 15 - Nov. 15-10 per person per dayHook and line gear only

Shark******1 per person or 2 per vessel, whichever is less Protected species. Practice of finning prohibited.

Sheepshead  12"***15 per person per day Sheepshead may not be harvested by a gig.

Shrimp******5 gallons head onMust be landed in a whole condition.

Snapper-Cubera  Not less than 12" or more than 30"***10 per person per day No more than two 30" or larger per person or vessel, whichever is less. Under 30" included in aggregate bag limit.

Snapper-Gray Mangrove 10"***5 per person per day No more than 10 snappers aggregate of all snappers with a bag limit.

Snapper-Lane  8"***10 bag limit applies toward aggregate of all snappers if harvested in Atlantic. Lane Snapper harvested in Gulf of Mexico not subject to aggregate bag limit.

Snapper-Mutton  16"***10 per person per day, with a bag limit No more than 10 snappers aggregate of all snappers

Snapper-Red  15" Gulf 20" Atlantic***2 Atlantic 5 Gulf of Mexico per day No more than 10 snappers aggregate of all snappers with a bag limit.

Snapper- Schoolmaster 10"***10 per person per day No more than 10 snappers aggregate of all snappers with a bag limit.

Snapper- Vermilion  8" Gulf 10" Atlantic (Gulf) 10 (Atlantic) per day Not counted in Snapper aggregate bag limit

Snapper- Other 12"***10 aggregate of all snapper having a bag limit Includes Blackfin, Cubera under 30", Dog, Mahogany Queen, Silk and YellowtailSnook Not less than 24" or no more than 34" Dec. 15 - Jan. 31 of each year & June, July, and Aug.2 per person per day Illegal to possess more than one over 34". Illegal to buy or sell. Snook stamp required.

Speckled Hind 1 per person per day Not counted in Grouper aggregate bag limit.

Spotted Sea Trout N.E. / S. regions: not less than 15" - not more than 20" N.W. Region: not less than 15" - not more than 24"Regions Closed: S. - Nov. & Dec. N.W. region - Feb. N.E. - Dec., Jan. & Feb.S. regions: 5 fish per person per day. N.W. region: 7 fish per person per day N.E. region: 5 fish per person per day May possess one fish over the maximum size limit. S. region is defined as all state waters lying between the Volusia/Flagler county line on the Atlantic extending to Pinellas/Pasco line on the Gulf. N.W. region is defined as all state waters north and west of Pinellas/Pasco. N.E. region is defined as all state waters north of Volusia/Flagler line.

Tarpon******2 per person per dayIllegal to buy or sell - requires $50 tarpon tag to possess or kill.

Tripletail  15"***2 per person per day Hook and line gear only.

Weakfish 12"***4 per person per day None 

Protected Species It is unlawful to harvest, possess, land, purchase, sell, or exchange the following species:  Nassau Grouper, Jewfish, Sawfish, Sawshark, Basking shark, Whale Shark, Spotted Eagle Ray, Sturgeon