Tuna

Tuna Fishing in Florida

FWC lists its own limits for blackfin tuna, and no federal HMS angling permit is needed for blackfin in state or federal waters. Anglers targeting bluefin, bigeye, albacore, yellowfin and skipjack tuna need a federal HMS angling permit, which is issued to the vessel.

Florida rules from FWC and NOAA Fisheries, 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 and NOAA Fisheries 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 records

  • 826.50 lb Bluefin tuna · Gulf of Mexico · May 8, 2017 · Rick Whitley
  • 240.00 lb Yellowfin tuna · Key West · December 5, 2002 · Michael Delph
  • 194.80 lb Bigeye tuna · Juno Beach · March 14, 2020 · Anthony Beau Kelly
  • 45.50 lb Blackfin tuna · Key West · May 4, 1996 · Sam J. Burnett
  • 33.50 lb Skipjack tuna · Islamorada · July 21, 1998 · Frank Digiovanni

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

Tuna species, one page each

Each has its own size, limit and permit rules.

About the fish

SizeBlackfin common to 28 inches
Where it livesCoastal to offshore waters
What it eatsSmall fish, invertebrates and plankton

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • Blackfin needs no federal HMS angling permit in state or federal waters, and the daily bag limit is 2 per person or 10 per vessel, whichever is greater.
  • For yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, skipjack and bluefin, FWC says a federal HMS angling permit is required in state and federal waters. NOAA says a vessel fishing for bigeye, albacore, yellowfin or skipjack must have a valid HMS Angling or HMS Charterboat/Headboat permit.
  • NOAA says the vessel's permit covers everyone fishing on that vessel.
  • FWC says bluefin tuna caught in state or federal waters must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours. See the bluefin page for its limits.
  • Ask whether the boat holds an HMS permit. FWC says that in state waters on a vessel with an HMS permit, you must follow federal HMS regulations, unless state regulations are more restrictive.

Blackfin, both coasts: when you can keep one

FWC rule. FWC says to check federal regulations before targeting these species in federal waters.

  • All anglersOpen year roundFWC.
No minimum sizeSize limit
2 per person per dayDaily limit. Or 10 per vessel, whichever is greater. FWC: a federal HMS angling permit is not required in state or federal waters.

Yellowfin and bigeye: when you can keep one

Federal and state waters, under federal rules.

  • Vessels with an HMS permitOpenNOAA lists these fisheries as open. The vessel needs an HMS Angling or Charterboat/Headboat permit.
27 inches curved fork lengthSize limit
Yellowfin: 3 per person per day or trip. Bigeye: no limit.Daily limit. Per day or per trip. That is the yellowfin limit; NOAA lists no limit for bigeye. No tuna may be kept if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is on board or has been offloaded.

Questions about tuna

Do I need a federal permit for tuna?

Not for blackfin: FWC says no federal HMS angling permit is required in state or federal waters. For yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, skipjack and bluefin, FWC says the federal HMS angling permit is required in both.

How many yellowfin can I keep?

3 per person per day or trip, minimum 27 inches curved fork length, on a vessel with an HMS permit. None may be kept if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is on board or has been offloaded.

Is there a size limit on blackfin?

No. FWC lists no minimum size, with a daily bag limit of 2 per person or 10 per vessel, whichever is greater.

Does the charter's permit cover me?

Yes. NOAA says the vessel's HMS permit covers everyone fishing on that vessel.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, billfish, tuna and swordfish regulations and NOAA Fisheries, recreational Atlantic tuna statuses and limits and FWC, blackfin tuna profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.