UPDATE: SW Florida Catch-and-Release Measures
At the May meeting, the Commission directed staff to move forward with the following changes effective June 1, 2021:
Pasco County and Tampa Bay:
- Normal regulations will resume for snook, redfish and spotted seatrout in all state waters in Pasco County, Pinellas County and Tampa Bay.
- These regulations are for all state waters north of State Road 64 in Manatee County plus the Braden River but not including Palma Sola Bay.
Sarasota Bay through Gordon Pass in Collier County:
- Snook and redfish will remain catch-and-release through May 31, 2022.
- Spotted seatrout harvest will resume with a six-fish recreational vessel limit. Commercial harvesters will also be held to the recreational three-fish bag and six-fish vessel limits.
- These regulations are for all state waters south of State Road 64 in Manatee County including Palma Sola Bay through Gordon Pass in Collier County but not including the Braden River or any tributaries of the Manatee River.
Please note, spotted seatrout regulations changed statewide in Feb. 1, 2020.
Spotted Seatrout Management Zones
Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County near the Pasco County line through Broward County.
Limits
Bag limit: 3 per harvester with exception in SW Florida listed below.
Zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip
South of State Road 64 in Manatee County (including Palma Sola Bay but not including the Braden River or any tributaries of the Manatee River) through Gordon Pass in Collier County
- Spotted seatrout harvest will resume June 1, 2021, with a six-fish recreational vessel limit.
Slot limit: More than 15" and less than 19" total length
May possess one over 19 inches per vessel included in the bag limit
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Seasons and other regulations
Open year-round in most state waters (see exception below)
SW Florida:
Pasco County line south through State Road 64 in Manatee County (including the Braden River and Pinellas County), remains catch-and-release through May 31, 2021.
South of State Road 64 in Manatee County (including Palma Sola Bay but not including the Braden River or any tributaries of the Manatee River) through Gordon Pass in Collier County
- Spotted seatrout harvest will resume June 1, 2021, with a six-fish recreational vessel limit. Commercial harvesters will also be held to the recreational three-fish bag and six-fish vessel limits.
Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net
Area
Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County near the Pasco County line through Broward County.
Limits
Bag limit: 3 per harvester with exception in SW Florida listed below.
Zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip
South of State Road 64 in Manatee County (including Palma Sola Bay but not including the Braden River or any tributaries of the Manatee River) through Gordon Pass in Collier County
- Spotted seatrout harvest will resume June 1, 2021, with a six-fish recreational vessel limit.
Slot limit: More than 15" and less than 19" total length
May possess one over 19 inches per vessel included in the bag limit
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Seasons and other regulations
Open year-round in most state waters (see exception below)
SW Florida:
Pasco County line south through State Road 64 in Manatee County (including the Braden River and Pinellas County), remains catch-and-release through May 31, 2021.
South of State Road 64 in Manatee County (including Palma Sola Bay but not including the Braden River or any tributaries of the Manatee River) through Gordon Pass in Collier County
- Spotted seatrout harvest will resume June 1, 2021, with a six-fish recreational vessel limit. Commercial harvesters will also be held to the recreational three-fish bag and six-fish vessel limits.
Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net
Area
Fred Howard Park Causeway in Pinellas County near the Pasco County line through Broward County.
Limits
Bag limit: 3 per harvester with exception in SW Florida listed below.
Zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip
South of State Road 64 in Manatee County (including Palma Sola Bay but not including the Braden River or any tributaries of the Manatee River) through Gordon Pass in Collier County
- Spotted seatrout harvest will resume June 1, 2021, with a six-fish recreational vessel limit.
Slot limit: More than 15" and less than 19" total length
May possess one over 19 inches per vessel included in the bag limit
Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park.
Seasons and other regulations
Open year-round in most state waters (see exception below)
SW Florida:
Pasco County line south through State Road 64 in Manatee County (including the Braden River and Pinellas County), remains catch-and-release through May 31, 2021.
South of State Road 64 in Manatee County (including Palma Sola Bay but not including the Braden River or any tributaries of the Manatee River) through Gordon Pass in Collier County
- Spotted seatrout harvest will resume June 1, 2021, with a six-fish recreational vessel limit. Commercial harvesters will also be held to the recreational three-fish bag and six-fish vessel limits.
Allowable Gear: Hook and line; cast net
