Snapper Grouper Complex Size & Catch Limits
Snapper-Grouper Complex |
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Many of these species are managed under annual catch limits. Seasons may be closed when catch limits are met. Visit These species are also managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) in federal waters. Regulations may change. Please contact the SAFMC at 843-571-4366 or Recreational, for-hire, and commercial fishermen are required to use dehooking tools and to possess a descending device that is ready for use when fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper species. They are also required to use non-stainless, non-offset circle hooks when fishing with hook and line and natural baits for snapper-grouper species. Sale of snapper-grouper under the recreational bag limit is prohibited. For-hire vessels must have a Snapper-Grouper permit to fish for these species in federal waters. The harvest and possession of snapper-grouper species by commercial and recreational fishermen will be limited to the recreational bag limit within the Special Management Zones. See “Special Information” (General Information) for information on SMZs. Sea Turtle Release Gear Requirements: For-hire vessels fishing for snapper-grouper species and possessing a federal for-fire permit must have onboard NMFS approved sea turtle release gear and follow release protocols. For more information, call 727-824-5312 or visit, |
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Species |
Closed Season |
Bag Limit |
Size Limit |
Restrictions |
Greater Amberjack |
1 per person per day |
28-inch FL |
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Hogfish |
2 per person per day |
17-inch FL |
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Wreckfish |
Closed: |
1 per vessel per day |
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Seabass |
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Black Sea Bass |
7 per person per day |
13-inch TL |
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Porgies and Snappers |
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Red Porgy |
3 per person per day |
14-inch TL |
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Vermilion Snapper |
5 per person per day |
12-inch TL |
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Red Snapper |
Possession prohibited in federal waters |
2 per person per day in state waters |
20-inch TL in state waters |
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Lane Snapper |
10 per person per day from this group |
8-inch TL |
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Cubera, Yellowtail, Gray |
12-inch TL |
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Blackfin, Silk and Queen Snapper |
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Mutton Snapper |
5 per person per day, included in the above group limit of 10 per person per day |
18-inch TL |
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Grouper and Tilefish |
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Gag & Black Grouper |
Closed: |
Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit; Maximum of 1 gag or black grouper (but not both) per person/day |
24-inch TL |
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Red Grouper |
Jan. 1 - May 31 |
Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit |
20-inch TL |
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Scamp, Yellowfin, & |
Closed: |
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Golden Tilefish |
1 per person per day |
Included in 3 grouper aggregate bag limit. |
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Sand Tilefish |
3 per person per day |
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Blueline Tilefish |
Closed: |
3 per person per day |
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Misty & Yellowedge Grouper |
Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit |
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Coney, Graysby, Red Hind & Rock Hind |
Closed: |
Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit |
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Snowy Grouper |
Sept. 1 - Apr. 30 |
Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit; Only 1 fish per VESSEL per day (May - August only) |
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Warsaw and |
Possession prohibited |
Possession prohibited |
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Nassau & Goliath Grouper |
Possession prohibited |
Possession prohibited |
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All Other Snapper-Grouper Complex Species |
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Including but not limited to: Lesser Amberjack; White Grunt; Scup; Almaco & Bar Jacks; Margate; Whitebone, Knobbed, Jolthead & Saucereye; Banded Rudderfish; Sailors Choice |
20 per person per day aggregate with no more than 10 of any one species |
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Gray Triggerfish |
12-inch FL |
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Spadefish |
14-inch TL (state waters) |
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