The following species will reopen to recreational harvest May 1 in Florida state and federal waters of the Atlantic: hogfish; blueline tilefish; and Grouper gag, black, red, yellowmouth and yellowfin; scamp; red hind; rock hind; coney; and graysby.
Hogfish will remain open through Oct. 31, 2021, on the east coast of Florida as well as south and east of Cape Sable on the Gulf coast. Blueline tilefish will remain open through Aug. 31, 2021 and the other grouper species will remain open through Dec. 31, 2021, on the east coast of Florida and all state waters off Monroe County.
More information about bag and size limits, gear restrictions and fishing seasons for these species is available online at MyFWC.com/Marine; select “Recreational Regulations.”
Source: Grouper, hogfish and blueline tilefish seasons reopen May 1 in 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/Tilefish Aggregate Bag Limit – includes all species of grouper plus golden tilefish and blueline tilefish in any combination of species.
- Seasons – If no seasonal information is provided, the species is open year-round.
Grouper, Black
Minimum Size Limits:
- Atlantic – 24″
- Gulf – 24″
Season:
- Atlantic – Closed Jan. 1–April 30
- Gulf – Open year-round
Daily Recreational Bag Limit:
- Atlantic – 1 per harvester. Only 1 fish can be gag or black
- Gulf – 4 per harvester*
Grouper, Snowy
Minimum Size Limit:
- Atlantic and Gulf – None
Daily Recreational Bag Limit:
- Atlantic – 1 per harvester
- Gulf – 4 per harvester
Grouper, Red
Minimum Size Limits:
- Atlantic and Gulf – 20″
Season:
- Atlantic – Closed Jan. 1–April 30
- Gulf – Open year-round
Daily Recreational Bag Limit:
- Atlantic – 3 per harvester
- Gulf – 2 per harvester*
Grouper, Warsaw & Speckled Hind
Minimum Size Limits:
- Atlantic and Gulf – None
Daily Recreational Bag Limit:
- Atlantic and Gulf – 1 per vessel per day of each species
Grouper, ScampMinimum Size Limits:
- Atlantic – 20″
- Gulf – 16″
Season:
- Atlantic – Closed Jan. 1–April 30
- Gulf – Open year-round
Daily Recreational Bag Limit:
- Atlantic – 3 per harvester
- Gulf – 4 per harvester
Gag Grouper
Minimum Size Limits:
- Atlantic – 24″
- Gulf – 24″
Season:
- Atlantic – Closed: Jan. 1–April 30
- Gulf – State waters off Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties: Open April 1
–June 30, & Sept 1–Dec. 31. - Gulf – State waters off all other
counties: Open June 1–Dec. 31
Daily Recreational Bag Limit:
- Atlantic – 1 per harvester. Only 1 fish can be gag or black
- Gulf – 2 per harvester*
Grouper, Yellowfin & Yellowmouth
Minimum Size Limits:
- Atlantic and Gulf – 20″
Season:
- Atlantic – Closed Jan. 1–April 30
- Gulf – Open year-round
Daily Recreational Bag Limit:
- Atlantic – 3 per harvester
- Gulf – 4 per harvester
Other Groupers
Other Grouper includes:
- Rock Hind, Red Hind, Coney, Graysby, Misty, and Yellowedge
Season:
- Atlantic – Rock hind, Red hind, Coney, Graysby: Closed Jan. 1-April 30
- Atlantic – All others open year-round
- Gulf – Open year-round
Daily Recreational Bag Limit:
- Atlantic – 3 per harvester
- Gulf – 4 per harvester
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 – If no seasonal information is provided, the species is open year-round.
* Zero bag limit for captain and crew of for-hire vessels applies to gag, black, and red grouper only.
Tilefish, Blueline
Daily Recreational Bag Limit:
- Atlantic – 3 per harvester per day
- Gulf – 100 lbs. or 2 per harvester, which ever is greater
Season:
- Atlantic – Open May 1–Aug. 31
- Gulf – Open year-round
Remarks
- Blueline tilefish included within Atlantic grouper aggregate bag limits.
Hogfish
Atlantic regulations apply to Monroe county
Minimum Size Limits:
- Atlantic – 16″ fork length
- Gulf – 14″ fork length
Season:
- Atlantic – Open May 1–Oct. 31
- Gulf – Open year round
Daily Recreational Bag Limit:
- Atlantic – 1 per harvester
- Gulf – 5 per harvester
