Size Matters in Saltwater Fishing

Just as with any sport, saltwater fishing has its rules and regulations. If you go out fishing you need to be aware of the current rules on what types and size of fish are legal to take catch and keep. Here are the current regulations for the more popular species caught in the waters off of Cedar Key.

Cobia – minimum size is 33 inches at the fork and catch limit is 1 per person or six per vessel per day whichever is less.

Flounder – minimum size is 12 inches and catch limit is 10 per person per day.

Grouper – Black and Gag – minimum size is 22 inches in the Gulf and 24 inches Atlantic with a catch limit of 5 per person per day in the Gulf (except Monroe County) and 2 per person per day in the Atlantic.

Mackerel King – minimum size is 24 inches at the fork with a limit of 2 per person per day.

Mackerel Spanish – minimum size is 12 inches at the fork with a limit of 15 per person per day.

Shark – 1 per person or 2 per vessel per day whichever is less.

Sheepshead – minimum size is 12 inches (measured from the most forward point of the head to the rear center edge of the tail) with a limit of 15 per person per day.

Spotted Sea Trout – minimum size is not less than 15 inches or more than 20 inches (except one fish over 20 per person) with limits of 5 per person per day. The month of February is closed and no trout of any size may be kept.