And Florida Slot Limits

Regulations:

Slot limit of not less than 18" or more than 27"; no closed season; one fish per person per day limit

General Information

This is one of the top recreational saltwater gamefish in the state. Redfish spawn from August to November in the offshore waters near passes and inlets. September is usually the peak month. Those that survive the open water larval fish stage, move into the estuaries as juveniles where they will live for several years. Anglers sometimes encounter large schools of these young fish, often called rat reds. The schools do migrate although scientists believe that they do not move over great distances.

Regulations:

Minimum length 33" (fork length); no closed season; 1 per harvester or 6 per vessel per day, whichever is less.

General Information

Cobia are year round residents in south Florida and part time residents in other parts of the state. Along both coasts, anglers notice cobia migrating northward in the spring and to the south in the fall. They travel in small schools and are often seen in the company of large rays. Anglers use the sight of the ray's wing tips breaking the surface of the water as an indication that cobia may be present.

The fish spawn in summer and early fall offshore in the Atlantic Ocean and in the open waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Cobia grow quickly. A two year old fish can be 24" in length.

Regulations:

Snapper, Red-20" Atlantic; 16" Gulf Closed in Gulf 2 per harvester per day.

Snapper, Mutton 16" Included within 10 per harvester per day Snapper aggregate bag limit.

Snapper, Gray (Mangrove) 10", 5 per harvester per day Included within 10 per harvester per day Snapper aggregate bag limit.

Snapper, Vermilion, 12" Atlantic; 10" Gulf 10 per harvester per day

Snapper, all others-Contact local FWC office for details

General Information

The rules for snapper fishing are complicated; perhaps unduly so according to many anglers. But, with 15 species of snappers in Florida's waters, the popularity of the fish with anglers, and the slow growth rate of these species, the regulations are and will continue to be necessary if overfishing is to be avoided.

Regulations:

12" minimum size limit; no closed season; 15 per person per day limit

General Information:

Because of its bold and distinctive black and white vertically striped body, sheepshead are often referred to as the convict fish.

Regulations:

2 fish possession limit Requires $50 tarpon tag to possess or harvest. Snatching and spearing prohibited. Boca Grande Pass has seasonal regulations. Contact DMFM for current information.

General Information:

Tarpon are very primitive fish. The swim bladder of these fish connects to the fish's throat and they can use it as a primitive lung. This allows the smaller and younger fish to gulp air when the water is low in dissolved oxygen. This is a common occurrence in the shallow backwater bays during the summer, the place where small tarpon spend most of their time. One of the ways to scout for the presence of the "silver king" is to look and listen for tarpon to "roll" on the surface. That's when they gulp air and pass it into the swim bladder.

Not less than 15" or more than 20" (statewide) except one fish over 20" per person. 4 per harvester per day South Region, 5 per harvester per day N.E. and N.W. Regions. See local FWC office for regional definitions.

General Information:

Spotted seatrout spawn from spring through the summer in the estuaries along both coasts. As juveniles, the fish live secret lives hidden among sea grass beds. Once they mature, the fish seldom move far from where they spawned. Females live for 6-8 years and males live 5-8 years.

Slot limit of not less than 24" or more than 34"; closed seasons are December 15-January 31 and June, July and August of each year; limit of 2 fish per person per day with one fish allowed to be greater 34"; snook permit required in addition to saltwater fishing license;

General Information:

Snook, often referred to as linesiders, spawn from April to October in the offshore waters near passes and inlets. The juvenile fish that survive those first few weeks of life in the open water eventually move into the estuaries where the fish most their lives. The fish can tolerate fresh water for extended periods of time. There are four species of snook but anglers don't need to worry about distinguishing one species from another. Three species, the fat snook, swordspine snook, and tarpon snook, never get larger than 18 inches so if caught, would have to be immediately released due to their size. Angler are after the common snook, a fish that can grow to the size of a small log and weigh over 30 pounds.