It may have suffered a dive in popularity now that we have a 32-inch maximum size on snook on this coast, but plenty of slot-size fish still fall to the 1⁄2- to 2-ounce sizes. Once there, he started learning about the tides and working docks and lights for smaller and slot snook in the Jupiter area. He tangoed with some trophy-size snook a couple times while learning the area and quickly realized he wanted that to be his fulltime fishing endeavor. It’s a popular question that we have all asked one time or another. Hook size is very important, not only for good hookup ratios but to protect the fish. Of course as with all things, everyone has an opinion and they are entitled to their opinions but I will share what has worked for me. I’m not bias and I’m not sponsored by my recommendations in this article, so don’t think that there. Catch-and-release only measures for snook have been extended through May 31, 2021, from the Hernando/Pasco county line south through Gordon Pass in Collier County, including all waters in Hillsborough County. Since snook is closed annually from May 1-Aug. 31, this fishery will reopen to harvest Sept.
Valid Sep. 1, 2020 through Aug. 31, 2021.
Notice: Red Snapper season in federal waters closed August 3, 2020.
Bag and length limits apply to listed saltwater species. There are no bag, possession, or length limits on game or nongame fish, except as listed in this guide. See definitions of daily bag and possession limits.
For freshwater finfish species caught in the public salt waters of this state, statewide freshwater limits apply.
No more than one black drum over 52 inches may be retained per person per day and counts as part of the daily bag limit and possession limit.
During a license year, one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be retained when affixed with a properly completed Red Drum Tag and one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be retained when affixed with a properly completed Bonus Red Drum Tag. Any fish retained under authority of a Red Drum Tag or a Bonus Red Drum Tag may be retained in addition to the daily bag and possession limit as stated in this section.
Daily bag is 5 fish except from Nov. 1 – 30, when it is 2 fish (flounder may be taken only by pole-and-line); and from Dec. 1 – 14, when it is 2 fish (flounder may be taken by any legal means, including gigging). Possession limit = the daily bag.
Non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks MUST be used when fishing for sharks in state waters.
See Shark Limits and Identification for identification tips.
Atlantic angel, Basking, Bigeye sand tiger, Bigeye sixgill, Bigeye thresher, Bignose, Caribbean reef, Caribbean sharpnose, Dusky, Galapagos, Longfin mako, Narrowtooth, Night, Oceanic Whitetip, Sandbar, Sand tiger, Sevengill, Silky, Sixgill, Smalltail, Whale, and White.
Non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks MUST be used when fishing for sharks in state waters.
See Shark Limits and Identification for identification tips.
Red snapper may be taken using pole and line, but it is unlawful to use any kind of hook other than a circle hook when using natural bait.
Well the time has come and West coast snook season is upon us. It will be Important to every angler to review exactly what our local FWC will be expecting upon your return to the ramp. A pinched tail measurement is exactly what it means. When you place that fishes snout right at the zero mark on your ruler and pinch the tail to its maximum length, that’s the true size of your fish. This can help you on the low end of the slot 28″ and this can cost you a bunch of money and hassle on the top end of the slot 33″. There are lots of slot fish out there currently, and there will be lots of fisherman catching plenty of slot size fish. Remember though the rule is a law and a mistake of a quarter inch may cost you an absorbent amount financially. Tight lines Capt G