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Bluefish: Florida size and bag by coast

As of / last verified: against official sources · Source: FWC: Bluefish

Bluefish limit in Florida: Atlantic state waters are 12 inches fork length and 3 per person from Nassau through Miami-Dade. Atlantic federal waters have no minimum size, at 3 per person on private boats and 5 on for-hire boats. Gulf waters, including Monroe County, are 12 inches fork length and 10 per harvester. No season is listed.

Quick answer

Atlantic state
12" fork length, 3 per person from Nassau through Miami-Dade
Atlantic federal
No minimum size. 3 per person on private boats; 5 per person on for-hire boats
Gulf state and federal, including Monroe County
12" fork length, 10 per harvester
Gear
Hook and line, spears, gigs, seine, cast net
Bluefish: side view for identification
Bluefish. 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. Where a size applies, bluefish are measured in fork length. Atlantic federal waters have no minimum size. Source: FWC Fish Measurement. Original graphic.

Bluefish limits

WatersSizeBagSeason
Atlantic state waters12" fork length3 fish per person from Nassau through Miami-Dade countiesNot listed
Atlantic federal watersNone3 per person on private recreational vessels; 5 per person on for-hire vessels. For-hire vessels need a federal bluefish charter permit to keep bluefishNot listed
Gulf state and federal waters12" fork length10 per harvester, including Monroe CountyNot listed

FWC says the Atlantic state bag changed effective October 26, 2020, after a 2019 federal stock assessment found Atlantic bluefish overfished. The page does not list an open or closed season.

How do you identify Bluefish?

Where and when to catch Bluefish in Florida?

Young bluefish are usually inshore in spring and summer and move offshore to join adults in fall and winter. FWC describes a strong winter migration of the northeast Atlantic stock to Florida's east coast. They travel in schools of similar-sized fish, follow bait, and sometimes eat each other. Spawning is offshore in spring and summer. They are caught from boat or shore. The profile says a wire leader is needed so they do not bite through the line, and it mentions chumming as a method. Chumming from a Florida beach is prohibited for any species; see the chumming rule on this site before you try that from shore.

Piers and bridges

Regions

Related rules on this site

Frequently asked questions

What is the Atlantic bluefish limit in state waters?

12 inches fork length and 3 fish per person from Nassau through Miami-Dade counties.

What is the Atlantic federal bluefish limit?

No minimum size. 3 per person on private recreational vessels and 5 per person on for-hire vessels. A for-hire vessel needs a federal bluefish charter permit to keep bluefish.

What is the Gulf bluefish limit?

12 inches fork length and 10 per harvester in Gulf state and federal waters, including Monroe County.

Does the bluefish page list a season?

No. It lists size and bag by coast and does not list a season.

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.