Coastal Species
Issued: January 2023
New regulations are highlighted in red
(please visit: MyFWC.com/Fishing/Saltwater/Recreational for the most current regulations)
H Spearing Prohibited
s 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.
Permit - l s H 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
Bluefish - s n
Minimum Size Limits:
- 12" fork length
Daily Recreational Bag Limit:
- Atlantic - 3 per harvester
- Gulf - 10 per harvester (includes Monroe County)
Black Drum - s 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.
Flounder - s 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.
Pompano, Florida - sH 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.
Spotted Seatrout - l H s 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 on pg. 8.
- Zero bag limit for captain and crew of for-hire vessels statewide
Weakfish - s H 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
Bonefish - H n
Daily Recreational Bag Limit:
- 0 per harvester
Remarks
- Catch and release only
- Hook and line 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
Atlantic Croaker and Spot - l H s 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)
Snook (All species) - s H u T n
Size Limits:
- Not less than 28" or more than 32" Atlantic excluding Monroe
- Not less than 28" or more than 33" Gulf and Monroe County
Closed Season:
- Atlantic (excluding Monroe) closed
Dec. 15–Jan. 31 and June 1–Aug. 31. - Gulf including Monroe County, Dec. 1–end of February, and
May 1–Aug. 31.
Daily Recreational Bag Limit:
- 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
Sheepshead - l s 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
Tarpon - l H 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.
Red Drum (Redfish) - s H u T
Size Limits:
- Not less than 18" or more than 27"
Daily Recreational Bag Limit:
- 1 fish per person per day Panhandle Zone
- 1 fish per person per day Big bend zone
- 1 fish per person per day Tampa Bay Zone
- 1 fish per person per day Sarasota Zone
- 1 fish per person per day Charlotte Harbor Zone
- 1 fish per person per day South West zone
- 1 fish per person per day South East zone
- Catch and Release only Indian River zone
- 1 fish per person per day North East zone
Remarks
- Gigging, spearing, snatching prohibited. Harvest in Federal waters prohibited.
