Cobia (also known as Ling, Lemonfish, Crabeater) in Florida. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit, slot rule — verified against the FWC guide, 2026.
In Florida, the minimum legal size for Cobia is 36 in and the daily bag limit is 1 per person/day or 2 per vessel, whichever is less. A slot limit applies: none — minimum 36" fork length, no maximum. There is no closed season in FL.
none — minimum 36" fork length, no maximum.
No closed season
Identical in Gulf and Atlantic state waters. The 36" FL minimum and 2-fish vessel limit have been in effect since July 1, 2022 (raised from 33" FL; Atlantic vessel limit cut from 6 to 2) after a stock assessment found overfishing — this is a SETTLED rule, not a pending change. State-water values shown (36" FL; 1/person or 2/vessel). Federal Gulf cobia is managed separately by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and offshore limits/size can differ — confirm current federal rules separately for offshore trips.
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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