Permit

Permit Fishing in Florida

Permit live offshore near structure and inshore over grass flats, sand and in channels, and anglers cast live crabs to schools of them. South Florida has its own zone for them, with its own size, limit and closed season.

Florida rules from FWC, checked Sep 2026

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Everything here was copied from FWC in Sep 2026 and is listed with its source at the bottom of this page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the current rule with your captain or with FWC before you keep a fish.

Florida state record

  • 56.13 lb Ft. Lauderdale · June 30, 1997 · Thomas Sebestyen

From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

About the fish

SizeCommon to 50 pounds
Where it livesOffshore near structure, and inshore over grass flats, sand and channels
What it eatsSmall fish and hard-shelled prey like clams and crabs

FWC says permit have a plate at the back of the mouth for crushing clams and crabs.

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • The Special Permit Zone covers south Florida and runs different rules: a 22-inch fork length minimum, one fish per person and no more than two per vessel, and no harvest from April 1 to July 31.
  • Everywhere else there is an 11 to 22 inch fork length slot and two per person, one of which may be over 22 inches, with no more than two over 22 inches per vessel. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park.
  • Gear differs by water: hook and line only in state waters, hook and line or spear in federal waters.

Special Permit Zone, south Florida: when you can keep one

South of Cape Florida on the Atlantic side, Biscayne Bay south of the Rickenbacker Causeway, and south of a line just below Cape Sable running west.

  • All anglersHarvest closed April 1 to July 31FWC lists the season as closed April 1 to July 31.
22 inches fork length minimumSize limit
1 per harvesterDaily limit. No more than 2 per vessel.

Rest of Florida: when you can keep one

State and federal waters outside that zone. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC.
11 to 22 inches fork length; one fish over 22 inches may be kept as part of the bag limitSize limit
2 per harvesterDaily limit. No more than 2 fish over 22 inches per vessel.

Gear rules

Hook and line only in state waters, hook and line or spear in federal waters. Multiple hooks with natural bait are prohibited, and so is snatching.

Questions about permit

What size permit can we keep?

Outside the Special Permit Zone, 11 to 22 inches fork length, and one fish over 22 inches may be part of your bag limit. Inside the zone, 22 inches fork length minimum.

What is the Special Permit Zone?

FWC's south Florida zone: south of Cape Florida on the Atlantic side, Biscayne Bay below the Rickenbacker Causeway, and south of a line just below Cape Sable. It has its own size, limit and closed season.

When is permit closed?

Inside the Special Permit Zone, April 1 to July 31. Outside it, FWC lists permit as open year round.

Can we spear one?

Only in federal waters. In state waters FWC allows hook and line only.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, permit regulations and FWC, permit profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.