Saltwater Fishing

Welcome to Florida's Saltwater Fishing!

News Updates:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussed and approved several items at the June 12 meeting in Lakeland. Issues included measures on lionfish, tarpon and bonefish, gear use in Boca Grande Pass, snook and rule cleanup. Learn more.
The recreational red snapper season in Gulf federal waters has been set to 28 days. This season will start June 1. The state Gulf season is 44 days and also starts June 1. Learn more.
Several workshops are planned to discuss South Florida marine fisheries management issues. These workshops are planned for July and August. Learn more about these workshops.
Gray triggerfish 2-fish bag limit effective June 10 in Gulf state waters. Season closure started June 10 and runs through July 31.
The Goliath grouper survey being conducted by University of Florida is now closed. Learn more about the Goliath Grouper Stakeholder Project.

Fish of the Week - Atlantic Croaker

Micropogonias undulatus

Features:

Inferior mouth, located below the snout tip.
Silver-gray or bronze body with dark oblique wavy bars or lines.
3 to 5 pairs of small barbels on chin.
Iridescent especially on head.
Preopercle strongly serrated.

Similar Fish: Spot, L. xanthurus.

Size: To 4 pounds (20 inches).

Habitat: Generally found north of Tampa Bay on the West Coast, and north of Cape Canaveral on the East Coast; older fish (2 to 3 years) inhabit deep offshore waters during winter and move into bays and estuaries during the spring, summer and fall.

Notes: During spawning becomes bronze or yellow in color; spawning apparently occurs offshore in fall; longevity 2 to 4 years.

Art by Diane Rome Peebles

From mangroves to salt marshes, Florida is the "Fishing Capital of the World." We hope you'll find the information below handy for planning your next Florida fishing trip, be it commercial or recreational.