Florida Gulf · Tampa Bay
Florida Gulf saltwater fishing regulations
Checked against FWC · July 1, 2026
Size limits, bag limits and seasons for every regulated saltwater species in Florida's Gulf waters, including Tampa Bay. It's the same table Newbreeds uses to tell you "keeper or release" when you log a catch.
Not legal advice. These are Florida's Gulf-zone limits (Tampa Bay region where FWC sets regional rules), checked against FWC on July 1, 2026. Limits change by region, gear and date — confirm on MyFWC.com before you keep a fish.
Popular inshore & nearshore fish
SnookRedfishSpotted SeatroutTarponSheepsheadBlack DrumMangrove SnapperFlounderPompanoSpanish MackerelKing MackerelCobiaTripletailPermitGag GrouperRed GrouperRed Snapper
Reef Fish
| Species | Size | Bag limit | Season & notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Grouper | 24" minimum (total length) | 4 per harvester* (within the 4-fish Gulf grouper aggregate) | Open year-round *Zero bag for captain/crew of for-hire vessels. Open year-round in the Gulf. |
| Black Sea Bass | 10" minimum (total length) | 100 lbs per harvester | Open year-round |
| Cubera Snapper | 12" minimum (total length) | 10 per harvester under 30" (within snapper aggregate); +2 over 30"/vessel (not in aggregate) | Open year-round |
| Gag Grouper | 24" minimum (total length) | 2 per harvester (within the 4-fish Gulf grouper aggregate) | Check MyFWC.com for the current-year Gulf season dates Gulf grouper aggregate: 4 fish/harvester/day combined, all grouper species. |
| Gray Triggerfish | 15" minimum (fork length) | 1 per harvester | Open Mar. 1–May 31, Aug. 1–Dec. 31 |
| Greater Amberjack | 34" minimum (fork length) | 1 per harvester per day | Check MyFWC.com for the current-year Gulf season dates |
| Grouper (unspecified) | 24" minimum (total length) | See specific grouper species — 4-fish Gulf aggregate applies | Open year-round Generic fallback using the most conservative common Gulf minimum (gag/black, 24"). Specify the exact species (e.g. "red grouper") for an accurate check. |
| Hogfish | 14" minimum (fork length) | 5 per harvester | Open year-round Open year-round in the Gulf. |
| Lane Snapper | 10" minimum (total length) | 20 per harvester | Open year-round Not included within the snapper aggregate bag limit. |
| Lesser Amberjack & Banded Rudderfish | 14–22" slot (fork length) | 5 per harvester (aggregate with banded rudderfish) | Open year-round |
| Mangrove (Gray) Snapper | 10" minimum (total length) | 5 per harvester | Open year-round Also called gray snapper. Within the 10-fish snapper aggregate. |
| Mutton Snapper | 18" minimum (total length) | 5 per harvester | Open year-round Within the 10-fish snapper aggregate. |
| Red Grouper | 20" minimum (total length) | 2 per harvester (within the 4-fish Gulf grouper aggregate) | Open year-round Open year-round in the Gulf. Gulf grouper aggregate: 4 fish/harvester/day. |
| Red Snapper | 16" minimum (total length) | 2 per harvester | Check MyFWC.com for the current-year Gulf season dates Zero bag/possession limit for captain and crew of for-hire vessels in the Gulf. |
| Scamp Grouper | 16" minimum (total length) | 4 per harvester (within the 4-fish Gulf grouper aggregate) | Open year-round Open year-round in the Gulf. |
| Snapper (unspecified / other) | 10" minimum (total length) | 10 per harvester | Open year-round Snapper aggregate bag limit: 10/harvester/day, all snapper species combined unless stated otherwise. Specify the exact species for an accurate check. |
| Snowy Grouper | No size limit listed | 4 per harvester | Open year-round No minimum size. Open year-round in the Gulf. |
| Vermilion Snapper | 10" minimum (total length) | 10 per harvester | Open year-round Not included within the snapper aggregate bag limit. |
| Warsaw & Speckled Hind | No size limit listed | 1 per vessel, each species | Open year-round No minimum size. Open year-round. |
| Yellowfin / Yellowmouth Grouper | 20" minimum (total length) | 4 per harvester | Open year-round Open year-round in the Gulf. Includes yellowmouth grouper. |
| Yellowtail Snapper | 12" minimum (total length) | 10 per harvester | Open year-round Within the 10-fish snapper aggregate. |
Pelagics
| Species | Size | Bag limit | Season & notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| African Pompano | 24" minimum (fork length) | 2 per vessel | Open year-round |
| Billfish (Sailfish / Marlin / Spearfish) | No size limit listed | 1 per harvester, aggregate | Open year-round Min. lower-jaw-to-fork: Sailfish 63", Blue Marlin 99", White Marlin 66", Roundscale Spearfish 66". HMS permit required in federal waters. Hook and line only. Report to NOAA within 24h. |
| Blackfin Tuna | No size limit listed | 2 per person or 10 per vessel, whichever is greater | Open year-round No minimum size. |
| Blueline Tilefish | No size limit listed | 100 lbs. or 2 per harvester, whichever is greater | Open year-round Open year-round in the Gulf. |
| Cobia (Ling) | 36" minimum (fork length) | 1 per harvester, not to exceed 2 per vessel | Open year-round |
| Dolphinfish (Mahi-Mahi) | No size limit listed | 10 per harvester per day, not to exceed 60 per vessel | Open year-round No minimum size in the Gulf. |
| Golden Tilefish | No size limit listed | 100 lbs. or 2 per harvester, whichever is greater | Open year-round |
| King Mackerel | 24" minimum (fork length) | 3 per harvester (Gulf, incl. Monroe) | Open year-round |
| Red Porgy | No size limit listed | 100 lbs. or 2 per harvester, whichever is greater | Open year-round No minimum size in the Gulf. Open year-round. |
| Spanish Mackerel | 12" minimum (fork length) | 15 per harvester | Open year-round |
| Swordfish | 47" minimum (fork length) | 1 per harvester per day (max 4 per private vessel, 15 per for-hire vessel) | Open year-round Lower-jaw-to-fork with head attached, or 25" cleithrum-to-keel if head removed. HMS permit required in federal waters. Hook and line only. |
| Tripletail | 18" minimum (total length) | 2 per harvester | Open year-round Hook and line only. No snatch hooks. |
| Wahoo | No size limit listed | 2 per harvester | Open year-round No minimum size. |
Coastal Species
| Species | Size | Bag limit | Season & notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Croaker | No size limit listed | 100 lbs. per harvester (Gulf, incl. Monroe County) | Open year-round No minimum size in the Gulf. |
| Black Drum | 14–24" slot (total length) | 5 per harvester | Open year-round May possess one over 24". Snatching prohibited. |
| Blue Runner | No size limit listed | 100 fish per harvester | Open year-round No minimum size. |
| Bluefish | 12" minimum (fork length) | 10 per harvester (Gulf, incl. Monroe County) | Open year-round |
| Bonefish | Catch-and-release only | 0 — catch and release only | Open year-round Hook and line only. |
| Florida Pompano | 11" minimum (fork length) | 6 per harvester | Open year-round Hook and line, cast net, and beach/haul seine only. (African pompano has a separate 24" limit.) |
| Flounder | 14" minimum (total length) | 5 per harvester | Closed Oct. 15–Nov. 30 May be harvested by spearing. Snatching prohibited. |
| Mullet (Striped / Silver) | No size limit listed | 50 aggregate per harvester | Open year-round No minimum size. Vessel limits: 100/vessel Feb. 1–Aug. 31; 50/vessel Sept. 1–Jan. 31. |
| Permit | 11–22" slot (fork length) | 2 per harvester (outside the Special Permit Zone) | Open year-round May additionally keep 1 over 22" fork length outside the SPZ. Special Permit Zone (South FL) has different rules — see MyFWC.com. |
| Redfish (Red Drum) | 18–27" slot (total length) | 1 per harvester, not to exceed 2 per vessel (Tampa Bay/Sarasota/Charlotte Harbor/SW/SE regions) | Open year-round Panhandle/Big Bend/NE: up to 4/vessel. Indian River Lagoon: catch-and-release only. Gigging, spearing, snatching, and harvest in federal waters prohibited. |
| Sheepshead | 12" minimum (total length) | 8 per harvester | Open year-round Snatching prohibited. Vessel limit of 50 fish during March and April. |
| Snook | 28–33" slot (total length) | 1 per harvester | Open Mar.–Apr. and Sept.–Nov. (Tampa Bay/Panhandle/Big Bend/Southwest regions) Snook permit required. Snatch hooks and spearing prohibited. Zero bag for captain/crew of for-hire vessels. Southeast/Indian River Lagoon/NE regions: slot 28–32", open Feb.–May & Sept.–Dec. 14. |
| Spotted Seatrout | 15–19" slot (total length) | 3 per harvester (Tampa Bay and most Gulf regions) | Open year-round May keep 1 over 19"/vessel (or /harvester if fishing from shore), except NE & Indian River Lagoon. Big Bend: 5/harvester. Panhandle closed Feb. 1–end of month. |
| Tarpon | No size limit listed | 1 per harvester per year — $50 harvest tag required (only for a potential IGFA record) | Open year-round Tarpon over 40" must stay in the water during release. Spearing and snatch-hooking prohibited. Bottom-weighted jigs prohibited in Boca Grande Pass. |
Sharks
| Species | Size | Bag limit | Season & notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retainable Sharks | No size limit listed | 1 per harvester or 2 per vessel per day, whichever is less (all retainable sharks managed as one group) | Open year-round No-minimum-size group: finetooth, smooth dogfish, Florida & Gulf smoothhounds. 54"-fork-length-minimum group: blue, porbeagle. Hook-and-line only. Shore-based shark fishing requires an educational course + permit. Most other shark species (hammerheads, tiger, sandbar, dusky, lemon, whale, and many more) are PROHIBITED — see MyFWC.com for the full list. |
Crustaceans & Mollusks
| Species | Size | Bag limit | Season & notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Scallops | No size limit listed | 2 gallons whole (or 1 pint meat) per harvester; up to 10 gal. whole per vessel | Pasco County zone: July 10–Aug. 18, 2026. Levy/Citrus/Hernando: July 1–Sept. 24. Check MyFWC.com for exact current-year dates. Season and zone boundaries vary by county — verify before heading out. |
| Blue Crab | No size limit listed | 10 gallons whole per harvester | Regional trap closures apply — check MyFWC.com for current dates Traps must be registered; 5-trap max. Harvest of egg-bearing females prohibited. |
| Hard Clams | 1" minimum (total length) | One 5-gal. bucket per harvester or 2 per vessel (whole in shell) | Open year-round Minimum 1" thick across the hinge. Illegal to harvest from closed areas — check FloridaAquaculture.com. No harvest 30 min after sunset until 30 min before sunrise. |
| Oysters | 3" minimum (total length) | 2 bags per harvester (1 bag = 2 five-gal. buckets, 1 ten-gal. bucket, or 60 lbs. in shell) | Most areas closed July 1–Sept. 30 (check MyFWC.com — some counties/bays differ) Harvest by hand or tong only, daylight hours only, from approved shellfish-harvesting areas. |
| Shrimp | No size limit listed | 5 gallons heads-on per harvester or vessel, whichever is less | Open year-round April & May closed in Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler & Clay counties only (not applicable to Tampa Bay area). |
| Spiny Lobster | 3" minimum (carapace length) | 6 per harvester (Regular Season, most areas) | Sport Season: July 29–30, 2026. Regular Season: Aug. 6 – Mar. 31. Carapace must measure over 3" in the water. Recreational trapping prohibited. Spiny lobster permit required. Harvest of egg-bearing females prohibited. |
| Stone Crab | 2.875" minimum (claw length) | 1 gallon claws per harvester or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less | Closed May 2–Oct. 14 Illegal to possess whole crab — claws only. 5-trap max. Harvest of egg-bearing crabs prohibited. |
Aggregate limits
- Gulf grouper aggregate: all grouper species combined count toward a 4-fish-per-harvester-per-day limit.
- Snapper aggregate: most snapper species combined count toward a 10-fish-per-harvester-per-day limit (species noted "not included in aggregate" are separate).
- Most sharks are prohibited species — only a short list may be legally retained.
Check it on the water
Newbreeds runs this check for you: log a catch, add the length, and it tells you keeper or release — while it records the tide, pressure, water temperature and moon behind the bite. Logging is free.