What is the size limit for Snook in Florida?

The current FWC size limit for Snook in Florida is 28 – 33 inches Gulf coast; 28 – 32 inches Atlantic coast (total length). Always confirm at MyFWC.com before keeping a fish — regulations can change on short notice.

What is the bag limit for Snook in Florida?

The current FWC daily bag limit for Snook in Florida is 1 per person, per day.

Snook in Florida — Regs, Seasons & Tips

Q: When is Snook season in Florida?

Gulf coast — Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay: Mar 1 – Apr 30 and Sep 1 – Nov 30 (closed Dec 1 – end Feb and May 1 – Aug 31); Gulf coast — Charlotte Harbor and Southwest (incl. Everglades NP through Monroe/Miami-Dade line): Mar 1 – Apr 30 and Oct 1 – Nov 30 (closed Dec 1 – end Feb and May 1 – Sep 30); Atlantic coast — Northeast, Indian River Lagoon, Southeast: Feb 1 – May 31 and Sep 1 – Dec 14 (closed Dec 15 – Jan 31 and Jun 1 – Aug 31). Season windows vary by FWC management region.

Current FWC regulations

Season

Gulf coast — Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay

Mar 1 – Apr 30 and Sep 1 – Nov 30 (closed Dec 1 – end Feb and May 1 – Aug 31)

Gulf coast — Charlotte Harbor and Southwest (incl. Everglades NP through Monroe/Miami-Dade line)

Mar 1 – Apr 30 and Oct 1 – Nov 30 (closed Dec 1 – end Feb and May 1 – Sep 30)

Atlantic coast — Northeast, Indian River Lagoon, Southeast

Feb 1 – May 31 and Sep 1 – Dec 14 (closed Dec 15 – Jan 31 and Jun 1 – Aug 31)

Size limit

28 – 33 inches Gulf coast; 28 – 32 inches Atlantic coast (total length)

Bag limit

1 per person, per day

Legal gear

Hook and line only. Snook permit required in addition to saltwater license.

Notes

Must remain in the water when releasing large fish. No commercial harvest. Snatching, spearing, and gigging prohibited. Everglades National Park is part of the Southwest management region — normal harvest rules apply during open season.

These limits are summarized from public FWC data and reviewed monthly. Florida regulations can change on short notice — always verify at MyFWC.com/Fishing before keeping a fish.

Best time to fish

Peak spring/summer around new and full moons. Fall bait migrations light up the inlets.

Best baits and tackle

Live pilchards, mullet, pinfish, and threadfins. Artificials: soft-plastic jerkbaits, topwater plugs at dawn, and swimbaits at night around dock lights.

Where to find them

Backcountry mangroves, passes and inlets, bridge shadow lines, dock lights after dark, sandy beach troughs during summer spawn.

Sources

Cross-referenced with the FWC Saltwater Regulations and FWC Freshwater Regulations. Reviewed July 2026.

Species photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons contributors and public agencies (USFWS / NOAA / state fisheries). Licensed CC-BY, CC-BY-SA, or public domain.