Charlotte Harbor · Gulf Coast
SW Florida Field Guide
Fast lookup for size, bag, and season on Charlotte Harbor and the nearshore Gulf.
Offline saving is available on the published site.
25 species · Season status calculated from reference dates, not live FWC updates. Always confirm current rules with FWC before harvest.
On-the-water rules
Measuring
Total length is nose to the pinched tail tip. Fork length is nose to the fork of the tail. Using the wrong one is the most common citation on the water.
Licenses
Guests fishing from a licensed charter vessel are covered by the vessel's charter license. A snook permit and a tarpon tag are separate add-ons.
Transport
Fish must stay in whole condition — head and fins intact — until landed at the dock. No filleting on the water.
Required gear
Gulf reef fish trips require a descending device rigged and ready plus non-stainless, non-offset circle hooks with natural bait.
State vs. federal waters
Florida state waters run out to 9 nautical miles in the Gulf. Past that line, federal seasons and limits apply — they often differ for red snapper, gag grouper, amberjack and triggerfish. A for-hire trip in federal waters needs the vessel's federal reef fish or HMS permit.
Vessel limits
On a for-hire trip, the captain and crew may not count toward the bag limit for redfish, and vessel caps override per-person limits.
Report violations
FWC Wildlife Alert: 888-404-3922. Red tide & fish kill hotline: 800-636-0511.
Prohibited — release immediately
- Goliath grouper (except lottery tag)
- Nassau grouper
- Sawfish
- Great, scalloped & smooth hammerhead
- Tiger shark
- Lemon shark
- Sandbar & silky shark
- Manta & spotted eagle ray
- Sturgeon
- Queen conch
- Longbill spearfish