Are you a fisherman who loves to spend long days out on the water catching a plethora of fish? Do you plan on taking that journey into the ocean anytime soon? If so, you must make sure you are familiar with saltwater fishing regulations. Here at Boat and Motor Superstores, we are a boat trader near Tampa, who is here to make sure you have all the information you need before you hit the sea!

Regulations By Species

Depending on which type of fish you are attempting to catch, determines what regulations you need to look out for. Factoring which ocean you are fishing in also makes a difference. The gulf or Atlantic may also affect rules and regulations. In some cases, the regulations differ. An excellent resource for this information is the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website, myfwc.com. There rules and regulations change regularly, so it is essential to continually check up on updates before you head out to the water. Trust our boat trader to prove you with the most accurate information.

Examples Of Saltwater Fishing Regulations

• General Snapper Regulations
  • Snapper Aggregate Bag Limit-Within state waters of the Atlantic and Gulf, all species of snapper are included in a ten fish per harvester per day aggregate bag limit in any combination of snapper species unless stated otherwise.
  • Seasons–If no seasonal information is provided, the species is open year-round.
• Atlantic Grouper General Regulations:
  • Atlantic grouper regulations apply to all state waters of the Atlantic and all state waters off Monroe County (Gulf and Atlantic sides).
  • Atlantic Grouper Aggregate Bag Limit – all species of grouper plus golden tilefish in the Atlantic are included in a 3 fish per harvester per day aggregate bag limit in any combination of grouper/golden tilefish species.
  • Seasons – If no seasonal information is provided, the species is open year-round.
• Gulf Grouper General Regulations:
  • Gulf grouper regulations apply to all state waters of the Gulf except off Monroe County (where Atlantic rules apply).
  • Gulf Grouper Aggregate Bag Limit – all species of grouper in the Gulf are included in a 4 fish per harvester per day aggregate bag limit in any combination of grouper species.
  • Seasons–Ifnoseasonal information is provided, the species is open year-round.
  • Zero daily recreational bag limit for captain and crew on for-hire vessels applies to gag, black and red grouper only.
• Sharks
  • Daily Recreational Bag Limit:
  • 1 per harvester or 2 per vessel, whichever is less.
  • Remarks
  • The retainable sharks are managed as a group for bag limit purposes. In other words, you can only harvest one shark per day and the shark that you harvest must be one of the retainable species.
  • Hook-and-line gear only.
• See the list of prohibited species below.
  • Prohibited Species
  • It is unlawful to harvest, possess, land, purchase, sell or exchange the following species:
    • Goliath Grouper (Jewfish), Nassau Grouper, Sawfish, Atlantic Angel Shark, Basking Shark, Bigeye Sand Tiger Shark, Bigeye Sixgill Shark, Bigeye Thresher Shark, Bignose Shark, Caribbean Reef Shark, Caribbean Sharpnose Shark, Dusky Shark, Galapagos Shark, Lemon Shark, Longfin Mako Shark, Narrowtooth Shark, Night Shark, Silky Shark, Sand Tiger Shark, Sandbar Shark, Sevengill Shark, Sixgill Shark, Smalltail Shark, Spiny Dogfish, Whale Shark, White Shark, Tiger Shark, Scalloped, Smooth, and Great Hammerhead Shark, Manta Ray, Devil Ray, Spotted Eagle Ray, Longbill Spearfish, Mediterranean Spearfish, Sturgeon, Queen Conch, Calico Scallop, Black Coral, Stony, Hard and Fire Corals, Sea Fans, Bahama Starfish, and Longspine Urchin. Harvest of live rock in state waters is prohibited. Pufferfish harvest is prohibited in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin Counties.

Contact Us

As a fisherman, it is essential to understand saltwater fishing regulations. At Boat and Motor Superstores, we are here clear up the air for any confusion you may face. We are a boat trader near Tampa you can trust. Call or contact us today!