Florida fshing laws,regulations and Fees.

Link to the current Fishing REG'S at this time.

http://myfwc.com/docs/RulesRegulations/Saltwater_Regs_2010.pdf

Lets start off with the current list of License FEES,- BE SMART GET 1 EVEN IF YOU BELIEVE YOU DON'T NEED IT WHERE YOU FISH.
AN FWC officer can not be expected to know every regulation, BUT We as citizens are "REQUIRED" To know them.

Costs for licenses
In addition to the cost of licenses and permits specified in this section, license agents may charge an issuance fee for selling licenses or permits. Note: all sales are final.
Florida resident licenses
One-Year Shoreline Only License .................................................................................................. $0.00
Covers shoreline fishing only, not fishing from a watercraft.
One-Year License ........................................................................................................................... $17.00
Covers both watercraft and shoreline fishing.
Five-Year License ...........................................................................................................................$79.00
Combination licenses (Florida residents only)
Fishing-Saltwater/Freshwater .....................................................................................................$32.50
Fishing-Saltwater/Freshwater & Hunting..................................................................................$48.00
One-Year Gold Sportsman’s License .......................................................................................$100.00
One-Year Military Gold Sportsman’s License ...........................................................................$20.00
(Offers the same privileges as the Gold Sportsman’s License. Available only to Florida residents who are active or retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces, the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve, the National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard or the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, upon submission of a current military identification card and proof of Florida residency. Purchase at county tax collector’s offices only.)
Lifetime saltwater fishing license (Florida residents only)
Age: 0–4 ...................................................................................................................................... $126.50
Age: 5–12....................................................................................................................................$226.50
Age: 13 or older .......................................................................................................................... $301.50
Lifetime sportsman license (Florida residents only)
Age: 0–4 ...................................................................................................................................... $401.50
Age: 5–12....................................................................................................................................$701.50
Age: 13 or older .......................................................................................................................$1,001.50
Non-resident licenses
Three-day License .......................................................................................................................... $17.00
Seven-day License .........................................................................................................................$30.00
One-Year License ........................................................................................................................... $47.00
Permits
Snook Permit.................................................................................................................................$10.00
Five-Year Snook Permit ................................................................................................................$50.00
Spiny Lobster Permit....................................................................................................................... $5.00
Five-Year Spiny Lobster Permit ...................................................................................................$25.00
Tarpon Tag (available only at tax collector offices) .................................................................$51.50
If you are not required to have a license, you are not required to have permits (except tarpon).
If you are not required to purchase a fishing license and snook and spiny lobster permits, you may do so anyway to help support programs that protect and preserve Florida’s marine fisheries
resources.

You do not need a license if you are:
•
A resident who is saltwater fshing from land or a structure fxed to land who has been determined eligible for the food stamp, temporary cash assistance, or Medicaid Program by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Proof of identifcation and a beneft issuance or program identifcation card issued by DCFS or the Agency for Health Care Administration must be on your person when fshing.
•
A child under 16 years of age.
•
Any resident fshing for recreational purposes only, within her or his county of residence with live or natural bait, using poles or lines not equipped with a fshing line retrieval mechanism.
•
Fishing from a for-hire vessel-guide, charter, party boat-that has a valid vessel license or charter captain license.
•
A holder of a valid saltwater products license.
•
A Florida resident 65 years old or older and you possess either a no-cost Resident
Senior Citizen Hunting and Fishing Certifcate or proof of age and residency.
•
A Florida resident who is a member of the
U.S. Armed Forces, who is not stationed in this state, while on leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders. This does not include family members.
•
Any person who has been accepted as a client for developmental services by the Department of Children and Family Services, provided the department furnishes proof thereof.
•
Fishing for recreational purposes from a pier that has a valid pier saltwater fshing license.
•
Fishing from a boat that has a valid recreational vessel fshing license.
•
A Florida resident who is fshing for mullet in freshwater with a valid Florida freshwater fshing license.
•
A Florida resident who possesses a no-cost Florida Resident Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing Certifcate. In order to qualify for this, applicants must provide a certifcation of total and permanent disability from the United
States Armed Forces, Railroad Retirement Board, Florida Worker's Compensation or the United States Veterans Administration. Alternatively, current documentation from the Social Security Administration for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Supplemental Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefts also will be accepted.
Other saltwater fishing fees
Licenses (Charter Boat or Charter Captain) are required for all vessels that charge a fee (for-hire vessels) to take passengers out to catch marine fsh.
Eleven or more customers ...................$801.50
Five to ten customers ........................... $401.50
Four or fewer customers ...................... $201.50
Optional fees include the annual Recreational Vessel fee ($2,001.50) for not-for-hire pleasure craft and the annual Pier license ($501.50). For charter licensing information, contact your local county tax collector's offce or visit our Web site at MyFWC.com.
July 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010 Florida 4 Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

FROM THIS POINT ON I RECOMMEND THAT YOU GO TO THE LINK AT THE TOP, YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID MUCH INFORMATION BETTER ORGANIZED THAN I AM ABLE...In other words i Am lazy at the moment :O)
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Basic recreational saltwater fishing regulations

This brief summary of regulations governs the taking of saltwater species in Florida state waters for personal use. It is not applicable to the commercial harvesting of these species. The absence of complete laws, rules and regulations in this summary does not relieve persons from compliance with those laws, rules or regulations. State waters extend to 3 nautical miles on the Atlantic and 9 nautical miles on the Gulf. Federal rules apply beyond state waters. For species that do not have an established bag limit, more than 100 pounds or two fish per harvester per day (whichever is greater), is considered commercial quantities. A saltwater products license and commercial vessel registration are required to harvest commercial quantities of unregulated species. It is illegal to sell recreationally harvested fish without compliance with commercial license requirements. Issue Thirty Seven, July 2010. Highlights indicate recent regulation changes.

Species Minimum Size Limits Closed Season Daily Rec. Bag Limit Remarks 28" fork Atlantic; Amberjack, Greater " . 1 per harvester per day 30" fork Gulf Amberjack, Lesser and Not less than 14" or more 5 aggregate of lesser amberjack Banded Rudderfish " . than 22" fork and banded rudderfish Sailfish 63"; Measured tip of lower jaw to fork. All landed fish must be reported to 1 per harvester per day Billfish " Blue Marlin 99"; NOAA within 24 hours

aggregate bag limit White Marlin 66" HMS permit required in federal waters. Not less than 14" or more Black Drum " D T 5 per harvester per day May possess one over 24". Snatching prohibited. than 24" Bluefish " 12" fork 10 per harvester per day Bonefish D " 18" 1 per harvester per day May not harvest half One 5 gal. bucket per harvester hour after official sunset Illegal to harvest from closed areas. Clams (Hard) 1" thick across hinge or 2 per vessel, whichever is less until half hour before Go to http://www.floridaaquaculture.com for allowable harvesting areas. per day (whole in shell) official sunrise 1 per harvester or 6 per vessel Cobia (Ling) " 33" fork To sell or exceed the daily bag limit follow commercial regulations. per day, whichever is less Sept. 20 –Oct. 4 Gulf state waters beyond 3 miles closed to traps; 10 gallons whole 5 traps maximum. Trap requirements apply. Harvest of egg-bearing Crab, Blue federal waters closed to per harvester per day crabs prohibited. traps; Regional closures (see map on page 11) Trapping prohibited, harvest of egg-bearing females prohibited, Crab, Blue Land July 1– Oct 31 20 per harvester per day harvest prohibited in state parks and from the right-of-way of federal, state or county maintained roads. 1 gal. Stone Crab claws per harvester 5 traps maximum. Trap requirements apply. Illegal to possess whole Crab, Stone 2 ¾" claw May 16– Oct 14 or 2 gal. per vessel, whichever is less crab. Harvest of egg-bearing crabs prohibited. April 1–Aug. 5 Recreational trapping prohibited. Spiny Lobster permit required when Crawfish Not less than 3" carapace Exception: Sport Season Regular season: license required. Special bag limit for 2-day Sport Season. Contact (Spiny Lobster) " measured in the water (last consecutive Wed & 6 per harvester per day FWC regional office for current information on Sport Season. Thurs of July each year) 10 per harvester per day, not to Dolphin " 20" fork Atlantic To sell or exceed the daily bag limit follow commercial regulations. exceed 60 per vessel per day Flounder " D T 12" 10 per harvester per day May be harvested by spearing. Snatching prohibited. 1 per harvester per day No more than 1 fish may be Gag or Black Grouper, either individually Atlantic & Monroe County; Gag " D . or in combination in Atlantic & Monroe County. 24" Atlantic & 2 per harvester per day Gulf Included within the 3 per harvester per day (Atlantic & Monroe Monroe County (excluding Monroe County) Closed in Gulf (excluding County) and 4 per harvester per day (Gulf excluding Monroe County) 22" Gulf (excluding Monroe 1 per harvester per day Monroe County) Grouper aggregate bag limit. County) Atlantic & Monroe County; Grouper, Black " D . Feb. 1–March 31 Zero daily bag and possession limit for captain & crew on for-hire 4 per harvester per day Gulf Closed Atlantic & vessels. (excluding Monroe County) Monroe County Included within the 3 per harvester per day (Atlantic & Monroe Jan. 1–April 30 3 per harvester per day County) and 4 per harvester per day (Gulf excluding Monroe County) Atlantic & Monroe County; Grouper, Red " D . 20" Grouper aggregate bag limit. 2 per harvester per day Gulf Zero daily bag and possession limit for captain & crew on for-hire (excluding Monroe County) vessels. Grouper, Snowy " . 1 per harvester per day Atlantic Grouper, Yellowfin Closed in Gulf (excluding 20" & Yellowmouth " D . Monroe County) Feb. 1–March 31 20" Atlantic & Monroe Closed Atlantic & Grouper, Scamp " D . County; 16" Gulf (excluding Monroe County Monroe County) Jan. 1–April 30 Included within the 3 per harvester per day (Atlantic & Monroe Grouper, Warsaw and 1 per vessel per day of each species County) and 4 per harvester per day (Gulf excluding Monroe County) Speckled Hind " . Grouper aggregate bag limit. Closed in Gulf (excluding Atlantic & Monroe County: Zero daily bag and possession limit for Monroe County) captain and crew on for-hire vessels Feb. 1–March 31 for Rock Hind and Red Hind Grouper, all others " . Closed Atlantic & Monroe County Jan. 1–April 30 for Tiger, Rock Hind, Red Hind, Coney, Graysby Hogfish " . 12" fork 5 per harvester per day Bag limit reduced to 1 in some state waters when federal waters Mackerel, King " 24" fork 2 per harvester per day are closed to all harvest. Check http://www.MyFWC.com/Fishing for most current regulations prior to fishing. Mackerel, Spanish " 12" fork 15 per harvester per day Transfer of Spanish Mackerel to other vessels at sea is prohibited. 50 aggregate per harvester per day; Mullet, Striped (Black) Aggregate vessel limits Mullet aggregate bag limit includes Striped and Silver. Call DMFM for & Silver Feb. 1–Aug. 31: 100 per vessel; additional restrictions in Pinellas and Charlotte counties. Sept. 1–Jan. 31: 50 per vessel June, July, Aug. in Dixie, 2 bags per harvester or vessel, whichApalachicola Bay has summer & winter seasons/areas. Wakulla, Levy counties. Oysters 3" ever is less per day. 1 Bag = 60 lbs. Harvest from approved shellfish areas only. July, Aug., Sept. in or two 5 gal. buckets (whole in shell) Go to http://www.floridaaquaculture.com for allowable harvesting areas. all other areas. May possess one over 20" of either Permit or Pompano included in the aggregate bag limit. Not less than 11" or more 6 per harvester per day aggregate Permit & Pompano " T Vessel restriction: no more than 2 permit and pompano over 20" fork than 20" fork of Permit and Pompano length at any time in any combination. Gigging, spearing, snatching prohibited. Permit: hook & line only. 2 fish per harvester or per vessel Pompano, African " T Not less than 24" fork Hook & line gear only. per day, whichever is less Red Drum Not less than 18" or more Gigging, spearing, snatching prohibited. 1 per harvester per day (Redfish) " D T than 27" Harvest in Federal waters prohibited. Red Porgy " D . 14" Atlantic 3 per harvester per day Atlantic

Scallops, Bay Sept. 11–June 30
2 gallons whole or 1 pint meat per
harvester per day; no more than
10 gallons whole, or ½ gallon meat
per vessel anytime
Harvest allowed only in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico from the
Pasco-Hernando county line, to the west bank of the Mexico Beach
Canal in Bay County.
Sea Bass, Black " D . 12" Atlantic; 10" Gulf 15 per harvester per day Atlantic
Shad 10 aggregate per harvester per day American, Alabama & Hickory are part of aggregate limit. Hook & line
gear only.
Shark " T
54" fork for all sharks
except Atlantic sharpnose,
blacknose, blacktip,
bonnethead, finetooth and
smooth dogfish
1 per harvester or 2 per vessel
per day, whichever is less
Hook and line gear only.
See list below for prohibited species.
Sheepshead " D T 12" 15 per harvester per day Snatching prohibited.
Shrimp "
April & May closed to
Nassau, Duval, St. Johns,
Putnam, Flagler & Clay
counties
5 gallons heads on per harvester or
vessel per day, whichever is less Contact FWC Regional Office for closed areas.
Snapper, Black and
Wenchman " .
Included within 10 per harvester per
day Snapper aggregate bag limit
Snapper, Cubera " D . 12" (see remarks)
Included within 10 per harvester
per day Snapper aggregate
bag limit if under 30"
May possess no more than 2 Cubera Snapper over 30" per harvester
or vessel per day, whichever is less. 30" or larger not included within
the Snapper aggregate bag limit.
Snapper, Gray
(Mangrove) " D . 10" 5 per harvester per day Included within 10 per harvester per day Snapper aggregate bag limit.
Snapper, Lane " D . 8"
Included within 10 per harvester
per day Snapper aggregate
bag limit Atlantic
Gulf not included within the Snapper aggregate bag limit.
Snapper, Mutton " D . 16" Included within 10 per harvester per
day Snapper aggregate bag limit
Snapper, Red " D . 20" Atlantic; 16" Gulf July 24–May 31 Gulf 2 per harvester per day
Included within 10 per harvester per day Snapper aggregate bag limit.
Note: Check http://www.MyFWC.com/Fishing for most current regulations
prior to fishing.
Gulf: Zero daily bag and possession limit for captain and crew on
for-hire vessels.
Snapper,
Schoolmaster " D . 10" Included within 10 per harvester per
day Snapper aggregate bag limit
Snapper, Vermilion " D . 12" Atlantic; 10" Gulf Nov. 1–March 31
Atlantic
5 per harvester per day Atlantic;
10 per harvester per day Gulf
Vermilion Snapper not included within the Snapper aggregate bag limit.
Atlantic: Zero daily bag and possession limit for captain and crew on
for-hire vessels.
Snapper, all other " D . 12" Included within 10 per harvester per
day Snapper aggregate bag limit Includes: Blackfin, Dog, Mahogany, Queen, Silk & Yellowtail.
Snook
(all species) " D T
Not less than 28" or more
than 32" Atlantic
Not less than 28" or more
than 33" Gulf of Mexico,
Monroe County, Everglades
Nat. Park
Dec. 15-Sept. 1, 2011
Atlantic
Closed through "VH
2011 Gulf of Mexico,
Monroe County, Everglades
National Park
1 per harvester per day
Snook permit required when saltwater license required. State
regulations apply in federal waters. Illegal to buy or sell snook.
Snatch hooks and spearing prohibited. Closed state-wide through
9/1 /10. Catch and release only in Gulf state waters.
Sponge, Commercial
Greater than 5" in greatest
dimension measured across
the top of the sponge
10 per harvester per day Includes: Sheepswool, Yellow, Grass, Glove, Finger, Wire, Reef & Velvet
sponge.
Spotted Seatrout " D T
Not less than 15" or
more than 20" (statewide)
except one fish over 20"
per person
Nov. and Dec. S. Region
Feb. N.E. and N.W. Regions
(see regional
definitions below)
4 per harvester per day South Region
5 per harvester per day
N.E. and N.W. Regions
May possess no more than 1 over 20"; included in the regional bag
limit. See regional definitions below.
Swordfish
47" lower jaw fork length with
head attached or
29" cleithrum to keel length
if head removed.
See page 9 for diagram.
1 per harvester per day,
not to exceed a maximum of 4
per recreational (not for-hire) vessel
or 15 per for-hire vessel per day
All landed fish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours
800-894-5528 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              800-894-5528      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. HMS permit required in federal waters.
Tarpon 2 fish possession limit
Requires $50 tarpon tag to possess or harvest. Snatching and spearing prohibited. Boca Grande Pass has seasonal regulations. Contact
DMFM for current information.
Tilefish, Golden " . 1 per harvester per day Atlantic
Included within the 3 per harvester per day (Atlantic & Monroe
County) and 4 per harvester per day (Gulf excluding Monroe County)
Grouper aggregate bag limit.
Atlantic: Zero daily bag and possession limit for captain and crew on
for-hire vessels
Triggerfish (Gray) " . 12" fork Atlantic;
14" fork Gulf
Triggerfish except Gray and Ocean have live landing & live well
requirements.
Tripletail " D T 15" 2 per harvester per day Hook & line gear only. No snatch hooks.
Wahoo " 2 per harvester per day To sell or exceed the daily bag limit, follow commercial regulations.
Weakfish " D 12" 1 per harvester per day New regulations apply in new management area only. See page 11.
" Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore (heads, fins & tails intact).
D Measured as total length. Total length is the straight line distance from the most forward
part of the head with the
mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed together
while the fish is lying on its side.
. Additional gear rules apply. See Reef Fish Gear Rules page 8.
T Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead
natural bait.
ORNAMENTAL TROPICAL FISH, INVERTEBRATES AND PLANTS
See Marine Life Regulations on page 5.
SEATROUT REGIONS
Northeast Region means all state waters lying north of the Flagler-Volusia County line to the
Florida-Georgia border, and adjacent federal Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters.
Northwest Region means all state waters north and west of a line running due west from
the westernmost point of Fred Howard Park Causeway (28E9.350’N 82E48.398’W), which
is approximately 1.17 nautical miles south of the Pasco-Pinellas County line to the Florida-
Alabama border, and adjacent federal EEZ waters.
South Region means state waters lying between the Flagler-Volusia County line on the Atlantic
Ocean and the southern boundary of the Northwest Region on the Gulf of Mexico in Pinellas
County and adjacent federal EEZ waters.

PROHIBITED SPECIES It is unlawful to harvest, possess, land, purchase, sell, or exchange the following species:

Goliath Grouper (Jewfish), Nassau Grouper, Sawfish, Atlantic Angel Shark, Basking Shark, Bigeye Sand Tiger Shark, Bigeye Sixgill Shark, Bigeye Thresher Shark, Bignose Shark, Caribbean Reef Shark, Caribbean Sharpnose Shark, Dusky Shark, Galapagos Shark, Lemon Shark, Longfin Mako Shark, Narrowtooth Shark, Night Shark, Silky Shark, Sand Tiger Shark, Sandbar Shark, Sevengill Shark, Sixgill Shark, Smalltail Shark, Spiny Dogfish, Whale Shark, White Shark, Manta Ray, Spotted Eagle Ray, Longbill Spearfish, Mediterranean Spearfish, Roundscale Spearfish, Sturgeon, Florida Queen Conch, Stony, Hard and Fire Corals, Sea Fans, Bahama Starfish, and Longspine Urchin. Harvest of live rock in state waters is prohibited. Puffer fish harvest is prohibited in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties.