Sheepshead (also known as Convict Fish, Sheephead) in Florida. Minimum legal size, daily bag limit, possession limit — verified against the FWC guide, 2026.
In Florida, the minimum legal size for Sheepshead is 12 in and the daily bag limit is 8 per person (50 per vessel during the March–April spawn). There is no closed season in FL.
No closed season
Same regulation on both Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Vessel limit of 50 per trip during March and April only. STATE waters (Gulf and Atlantic), same regulation both coasts. Vessel limit of 50 per trip applies during the March-April spawning aggregation. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park.
These limits are pulled from the FWC recreational saltwater size and bag limits. Last verified September 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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