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Black sea bass: Florida size and bag

As of / last verified: against official sources · Source: FWC: Black sea bass

Black sea bass limit in Florida: Gulf state waters are 10 inches total length and 100 pounds per person. Atlantic state waters, and federal Atlantic waters, are 13 inches total length and 7 fish per person. The FWC page does not list a season. Reef-fish hook and dehooking rules differ by coast and are in the table.

Quick answer

Gulf state
10" total length, 100 pounds per person
Atlantic state
13" total length, 7 fish per person
Atlantic federal
13" total length, 7 fish per person
Gear
Hook and line, spears, plus the reef-fish hook and dehooking rules
Black sea bass: side view for identification
Black sea bass. Credit: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC. Public domain
Total length vs fork lengthTotal length runs from the tip of the closed mouth to the tip of the squeezed tail. Fork length runs from the tip of the snout to the center of the tail fork.How FWC measures fishTOTAL LENGTH: mouth closed → tip of squeezed tailFORK LENGTH: snout → center of tail forkTL species include: red drum, snook, spotted seatrout, weakfish, snappers, groupers, flounder, sheepsheadFL species include: pompano, permit, Spanish & king mackerel, cobia, amberjacks, hogfish, dolphin
Measure in a straight line with the fish on its side; don't follow its curve. Black sea bass are measured in total length. Source: FWC Fish Measurement. Original graphic.

Black sea bass limits

WatersSizeBagSeason
Gulf state waters10" total length100 pounds per personNot listed
Atlantic state waters13" total length7 fish per personNot listed
Atlantic federal waters13" total length7 fish per personNot listed

Gulf reef-fish gear: non-stainless-steel, non-offset circle hooks, and a dehooking device. Atlantic: a dehooking device and, as of January 1, 2021, non-stainless steel hooks in all state waters, and non-offset circle hooks north of 28° N. The page does not list a Gulf federal bag or a season.

How do you identify Black sea bass?

Look-alikes

Where and when to catch Black sea bass in Florida?

Black sea bass live in coastal water near structure and rocky bottom. Smaller fish are often inshore in finger channels. FWC says they are most often caught on the central and northern coasts and sometimes reach south Florida in cold winters. Mature fish generally prefer 20 to 80 feet. Juveniles use shallower water over seagrass and near jetties and reefs. They spawn January through March. Older females become males. They eat small fish, crustaceans and shellfish, and anglers often catch them while bottom fishing for grouper or snapper. Listed baits are squid, shrimp, cut bait, and jigs tipped with squid.

Piers and bridges

Regions

Frequently asked questions

What is the Gulf black sea bass limit?

In Gulf state waters, 10 inches total length and 100 pounds per person.

What is the Atlantic black sea bass limit?

13 inches total length and 7 fish per person in Atlantic state waters. Federal Atlantic waters are also 13 inches total length and 7 fish per person.

Does the page list a black sea bass season?

No. It lists Gulf and Atlantic size and bag limits and does not list a season.

What hooks are required?

In the Gulf, non-stainless-steel, non-offset circle hooks and a dehooking device. In the Atlantic, a dehooking device, non-stainless steel hooks in all state waters as of January 1, 2021, and non-offset circle hooks north of 28° N.

Official sources

Last verified: October 14, 2026.

Related guides

Disclaimer: This page is a plain-English summary for general information. It is not legal advice. Rules, seasons and boundaries can change at short notice, including by emergency order. Always check the current regulations on MyFWC.com before you fish.