Saltwater Regulations

Bag limit

1 per harvester per day

Size / slot limit

Slot: not less than 28" and not more than 33" total length (Atlantic); 28"–33" Gulf

Season

Atlantic: closed Dec 15–Jan 31 and Jun 1–Aug 31. Gulf: closed Dec 1–end Feb and May 1–Aug 31.

Hook and line only. Snatching prohibited. Snook Permit required.

Bag limit

1 per harvester per day; 2 per vessel (varies by management zone)

Size / slot limit

Slot: not less than 18" and not more than 27" total length

Season

Open year-round in most zones; catch-and-release only in some SW Florida zones.

Hook and line only; gigging and snatching prohibited.

Bag limit

Catch-and-release only

Size / slot limit

Harvest prohibited except under a tarpon tag for an IGFA record attempt

Season

Year-round catch-and-release

Hook and line only. Fish over 40" must remain in the water.

Bag limit

5 per harvester per day within the 10-snapper aggregate limit

Size / slot limit

Minimum 10" total length (Atlantic and Gulf)

Season

Open year-round

Hook and line, spearing, cast net allowed for some snapper.

Bag limit

3 per harvester per day (zone dependent), 1 may exceed 20"

Size / slot limit

Slot: not less than 15" and not more than 19" total length

Season

Open year-round in most zones; seasonal closures in select NW zones.

Hook and line only; multiple hooks allowed on artificial lures.

Bag limit

2 per harvester per day within the 4-grouper aggregate

Size / slot limit

Minimum 24" total length (Gulf); 24" Atlantic

Season

Gulf: Sep 1–Dec 31 (state waters). Atlantic: May 1–Dec 31.

Non-stainless circle hooks and dehooking device required.

Bag limit

1 per harvester per day; 2 per vessel in the Special Permit Zone

Size / slot limit

Slot: 11"–22" fork length; 1 over 22" per vessel per day

Season

Special Permit Zone closed to harvest May 1–Jul 31.

Hook and line only; snatching prohibited.

Bag limit

2 per harvester per day within the 4-grouper aggregate

Size / slot limit

Minimum 20" total length (Gulf); 20" Atlantic

Season

Gulf: open year-round in state waters. Atlantic: closed Jan 1–Apr 30.

Non-stainless circle hooks, dehooking device and venting tool required.

Bag limit

2 per harvester per day within the 4-grouper aggregate

Size / slot limit

Minimum 24" total length

Season

Gulf: Jun 1–Dec 31. Atlantic: May 1–Dec 31.

Non-stainless circle hooks and descending device required.

Bag limit

1 per harvester per day, 2 per vessel (shark aggregate)

Size / slot limit

Minimum 54" fork length

Season

Open year-round; many species are prohibited — check the FWC list.

Non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks required when using natural bait from shore.

Bag limit

No statewide bag limit

Size / slot limit

No minimum size limit

Season

Open year-round

Hook and line; fast topwater plugs and big spoons.

Bag limit

8 per harvester per day

Size / slot limit

Minimum 12" total length

Season

Open year-round; 5-fish vessel limit Mar 1–31.

Hook and line, spearing; small hooks with fiddler crabs or shrimp.