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Sheepshead: Florida size, bag and season

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

Sheepshead limit in Florida: 12 inches total length and 8 per person in Gulf and Atlantic state waters. During March and April the vessel limit is 50 per trip. The season is open year-round, and state rules extend into federal waters. Legal gear includes hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig.

Quick answer

Size
12" total length
Bag
8 per person
Vessel
50 per trip during March and April
Season
Open year-round
Federal
State regulations extend into federal waters
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. Sheepshead are measured in total length. Source: FWC Fish Measurement. Original graphic.

Sheepshead limits

WatersSizeBagSeason
Gulf and Atlantic state waters, and federal waters12" total length8 per person. Vessel limit 50 per trip during March and AprilOpen year-round

Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park. Multiple hooks with live or dead natural bait, and snatching, are prohibited. FWC says barnacles have no size limit and a default bag of 100 pounds per person per day, so they may be used to chum sheepshead. Oysters have their own closed seasons, bag and size limits and may be taken only from approved harvest areas.

How do you identify Sheepshead?

Look-alikes

Where and when to catch Sheepshead in Florida?

Sheepshead use coastal structure such as oyster bars, seawalls and tidal creeks, and they move nearshore in late winter and early spring to spawn. Spawning is typically in March and April, which is also when the 50-fish vessel limit applies, and they lay only part of their eggs at a time. They eat mostly crustaceans and small fish. FWC lists live shrimp, sand fleas or fiddler crabs on a small hook on the bottom. Watch the sharp gill covers. Piers, bridges and seawalls match that structure habitat.

Piers and bridges

Regions

Frequently asked questions

What is the sheepshead size limit?

12 inches total length.

What is the sheepshead bag limit?

8 per person. During March and April there is also a vessel limit of 50 per trip.

Is sheepshead season open year-round?

Yes. FWC lists the season as open year-round, and state regulations extend into federal waters.

Can you use barnacles or oysters as sheepshead bait?

FWC says barnacles have no size limit and may be taken up to 100 pounds per person per day with a saltwater license, including scraping them from bridge piles so they sink. Do not scrape private docks without permission. Oysters have closed seasons, size and bag limits, and can be harvested only in approved shellfish areas.

Official sources

Last verified: October 14, 2026.

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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.