Black Sea Bass (also known as Sea Bass, Black Will) in Florida. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit — verified against the FWC guide, 2026.
In Florida, the minimum legal size for Black Sea Bass is 13 in and the daily bag limit is 7 per person (Atlantic state waters; Gulf state waters use a 100 lb/person limit). There is no closed season in FL.
No closed season
Strong Gulf vs Atlantic divergence: Atlantic 13" TL / 7 fish; Gulf 10" TL / 100 lb. Atlantic is the significant recreational fishery; Gulf fish are smaller and managed by poundage. Federal Atlantic measures can be set separately. STATE waters differ sharply by coast. Atlantic state (and matching federal): 13" TL, 7 fish per person. Gulf state: 10" TL, 100 pounds per person. South Atlantic federal black sea bass is managed separately by NOAA/SAFMC and can have its own measures.
These limits are pulled from the FWC recreational saltwater size and bag limits. Last verified June 2026.
Always check the official guide before keeping any fish. Regulations change. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) updates its guide annually and occasionally mid-year. Fines for over-bag or undersized fish are significant.
Florida requires a recreational saltwater fishing licence to take saltwater species (residents can get a no-cost Resident Saltwater Shoreline licence for shore fishing). A snook or tarpon permit is needed for those species. Florida saltwater licences.
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