Coastal Species

Issued: January 2025
New regulations are highlighted in red
(please visit: MyFWC.com/Fishing/Saltwater/Recreational for the most current regulations)

Regulations apply to state waters of the Gulf and Atlantic
State waters extend 9 miles from shore on the Gulf and 3 miles from shore on the Atlantic coast.

« Spearing Prohibited.

p Must remain in whole condition (removal of gills and guts allowed).

u Measured as total length. Total length is the straight line distance from the most forward part of the head with the mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed together while the fish is lying on its side.

n State regulations apply in federal waters.

l Additional gear rules apply, please see: MyFWC.com

T Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook (any hook with two or more points and a common shaft) in conjunction with live or dead natural bait.

X State Reef Fish Angler designation required when fishing for select reef fish species from a private vessel in the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean.

Bluefish — p n

Minimum Size Limits:

• 12" fork length

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

• Atlantic - 3 per harvester
• Gulf - 10 per harvester (includes Monroe County)

Flounder — p u T n

Minimum Size Limits:

• 14"

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

• 5 per harvester

Closed Season:

• Oct. 15–Nov. 30

Remarks

• May be harvested by spearing. Snatching prohibited.

Bonefish — « n

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

• 0 per harvester

Remarks

• Catch and release only
• Hook and line only

Atlantic Croaker and Spot — l « p T n

Minimum Size Limits:

• None

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

• Atlantic - 50 per harvester per species (excludes Monroe county)
• Gulf - 100 lbs. per harvester (including Monroe county)

Sheepshead — l p u T n

Minimum Size Limits:

• 12"

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

• 8 per harvester

Remarks

• Snatching prohibited
• Vessel limit of 50 fish during March and April

Permit — l p « T n

Size Limits:

• 22" fork Special Permit Zone (SPZ); Not less than 11" or more than 22" fork length all other areas

Closed Season:

• April 1–July 31 SPZ Only

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

• 1 per harvester, not to exceed 2 per vessel SPZ;
• 2 per harvester all other state waters

Remarks

• May possess 1 over 22" fork length outside the SPZ, not to exceed 2 over 22" fork per vessel per day. For map of SPZ, please see: MyFWC.com.
• Zero daily bag and possession limit for captain and crew on for-hire vessels

Spotted Seatrout — l « p u T n

Size Limits:

• Not less than 15" or more than 19"
• May not possess more than 1 over 19" per vessel

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

• 3 per harvester per day W.P. Zone
• 5 per harvester per day B.B. Zone
• 3 per harvester per day S. Zone
• 2 per harvester per day C.E. Zone
• 5 per harvester per day N.E. Zone

Closed Season:

• Feb. W.P. Zone
• Nov.–Dec. C.E. Zone

Remarks

• See management zone map in Management Zones.
• Zero bag limit for captain and crew of for-hire vessels statewide

Weakfish — p « u

Minimum Size Limits:

• Weakfish Management Area (WMA) in Nassau County - 12"
• All other areas - no minimum

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

• WMA - 1 per harvester
• All other areas - 100 pounds per harvester

Remarks

• Regulations apply in parts of Nassau County only.
• See map at: Myfwc.com/Fishing/Saltwater/Recreational/Weakfish

Snook (All species) — p « u T n

Size Limits:

• PH, BB, TB, SB, CH, and SW management regions: Not less than 28" or more than 33"
• SE, IRL, and NE management regions: Not less than 28" or more than 32"

Open Season:

• PH, BB, TB, and SB management regions are open Mar.–April and Sept.–Nov.
• CH and SW management regions are open March–April and Oct.–Nov.
• SE, IRL, and NE management regions are open Feb.–May and Sept.–Dec. 14.

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

• In each management region: 1 per harvester

Remarks

• Snook permit required for harvest when saltwater license required. See MyFWC.com for snook permit details. Snatch hooks and spearing prohibited.
• Zero daily bag and possession limit for captain and crew on for-hire vessels
• See Management Zones for regional map

Red Drum (Redfish) — p « u T

Size Limits:

• Not less than 18" or more than 27"

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

• Catch and Release in the Indian River Lagoon Region
• 1 fish bag limit in the following regions: Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast, and Northeast
• 4 fish vessel limit in the following regions: Panhandle, Big Bend, and Northeast
• 2 fish vessel limit in the following regions: Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, and Southeast
• See Management Zones for regional map

Remarks

• Gigging, spearing, snatching prohibited. Harvest in Federal waters prohibited.

Black Drum — p u T n

Size Limits:

• Not less than 14" or more than 24"

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

• 5 per harvester

Remarks

• May possess one over 24". Snatching prohibited.

Pompano, Florida — p« T n

Minimum Size Limits:

• 11" fork length

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

• 6 per harvester

Remarks

• Hook and line, cast net and beach or haul seine ONLY.

Mullet, Striped (Black) & Silver

Minimum Size Limits:

• No minimum size

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

• 50 aggregate per harvester;
• Aggregate vessel limits
  Feb. 1–Aug. 31: 100 per vessel;
  Sept. 1–Jan. 31: 50 per vessel

Blue Runner — n

Minimum Size Limits:

• No minimum

Daily Recreational Bag Limit:

• 100 fish per harvester

Tarpon — l « T n

Recreational Bag Limit:

• 1 per harvester per year. $50 harvest tag required. Vessel limit of one fish. Harvest tag can only be used when fish is retained for potential IGFA record.

Remarks

• Tarpon over 40 inches must remain in the water during release. Spearing and snatch hooking prohibited. Bottom weighted jigs prohibited in Boca Grande Pass. See: Myfwc.com/Fishing/Saltwater/Recreational/Tarpon for additional information.

All art: © Diane Rome Peebles, except blueline tilefish and golden tilefish (Duane Raver); lionfish (FWC)