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Spotted Seatrout

Spotted Seatrout Management Regions

State and federal waters off Florida

  • Western Panhandle: Escambia County through the portions of Gulf County west of longitude 85 degrees, 13.76 minutes but NOT including Indian Pass/Indian Lagoon.
  • Big Bend: Remaining portion of Gulf County plus Indian Lagoon, and Franklin County through Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County near the Pasco County line.
  • South: Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County near the Pasco County line through Broward County.
  • Central East: Palm Beach through Volusia counties.
  • Northeast: Flagler through Nassau counties.

Western Panhandle-Big Bend Seatrout Management Region

Regulations

Area

seatrout western panhandle zone map

Escambia County through the portions of Gulf County west of longitude 85 degrees, 13.76 minutes but NOT including Indian Pass/Indian Lagoon

 

Limits

Bag limit: 3 per harvester 

Zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip

Slot limit: Not less than 15" or greater than 19" total length 

May possess one over 19 inches per vessel or, if fishing from shore, one over 19 inches per person, included in the bag limit.

Seasons and other regulations

Closed February

Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net

Illegal Gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited

Area

seatrout big bend zone map

Remaining portion of Gulf County plus Indian Lagoon, and Franklin County through Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County near the Pasco County line.

 

 

Limits

Bag limit: 5 per harvester 

Zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip

Slot limit: Not less than 15" or greater than 19" total length

May possess one over 19 inches per vessel or, if fishing from shore, one over 19 inches per person, included in the bag limit.

Seasons and other regulations

Open year-round in most state waters

Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net

Illegal Gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited

Area

seatrout south zone map

Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County near the Pasco County line through Broward County.

 

 

Limits

Bag limit: 3 per harvester

Zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip

Slot limit: Not less than 15" or greater than 19" total length 

May possess one over 19 inches per vessel or, if fishing from shore, one over 19 inches per person, included in the bag limit.

Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.

Seasons and other regulations

Open year-round

Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net

Illegal Gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited

Area

seatrout central east zone map

Palm Beach through Volusia counties.

 

Limits

Bag limit: 2 per harvester 

Zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip

Slot limit: Not less than 15" or greater than 19" total length 

May possess one over 19 inches per vessel or, if fishing from shore, one over 19 inches per person, included in the bag limit.

Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.

Seasons and other regulations

Closed Nov. 1-Dec. 31

Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net

Illegal Gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited

Area

seatrout northeast zone map

Flagler through Nassau counties.

 

Limits

Bag limit: 5 per harvester 

Zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip

Slot limit: Not less than 15" or greater than 19" total length 

May possess one over 19 inches per vessel or, if fishing from shore, one over 19 inches per person, included in the bag limit.

Seasons and other regulations

Open year-round

Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net

Illegal Gear: Cannot harvest using any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited