Top fish species at Jones Bayou

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Jones Bayou fishing reports

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Channel catfish

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Channel catfish

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Common snook

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Spotted seatrout

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General info

Jones Bayou is a part of an ocean located in Manatee County, Florida, United States. It is most popular for fishing Sheepshead, Gafftopsail sea catfish, and Red grouper.

Location

27°30′10.7″N 82°42′31.3″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Jones Bayou, FL

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Florida can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Sheepshead

Sheepshead

Regulation boundaryFL State + Fed Waters
Bag limit8

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size12" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Multiple Hooks

Harvest of this species by or with the use of any multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited.

Additional information
Vessel limit = 50 per trip during March and April Legal Gear: hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gigThis species may be eligible for prizes and recognition if you submit photos through CatchaFloridaMemory.com Visit their website for more information.
Edibility
Very good; Catch, Clean, Cook Sheepshead
Synonyms
Archosargus probatocephalus, Referee fish
Season open: year-round
Gafftopsail sea catfish

Gafftopsail sea catfish

Regulation boundaryFL State Waters
Additional information
No minimum size. Bag limit = 100 pounds. This species may be eligible for prizes and recognition if you submit photos through CatchaFloridaMemory.com Visit their website for more information.
Edibility
Good
Synonyms
Bagre marinus
Season open: year-round
Red grouper

Red grouper

Regulation boundaryFL Gulf State Waters
Bag limit2

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size20" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Aggregate limit4

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Special gear

Circle Hooks

The use of a dehooking device is required when fishing for reef fish. All persons aboard a vessel harvesting reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico must possess and use non-stainless steel non-offset circle hooks when using natural baits.

Restrictions & requirements

Zero Bag for Captain

Bag and possession limit for captains and crew on for-hire vessels is zero.

Keep-Whole

Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore - head and tail must be intact.

Descending Device/Venting Tool

Descending device or venting tool rigged and ready is required when fishing for reef fish, and use such device if releasing a fish that suffers from barotrauma. Get descending device gear for FREE by completing a 15-minute training from Return 'Em Right. Get started here: returnemright.org

Required licenses
Anglers 16 years of age and older are required to sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler if they fish from a private recreational boat for any red grouper. To sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler, call 1-888-347-4356.
Additional information
Recreational harvest of red grouper in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will close on July 1, 2024. The seasonal closure is expected to be effective through the end of the red grouper fishing year on December 31, 2024. For more information, see MYFWC/Groupers.This species may be eligible for prizes and recognition if you submit photos through CatchaFloridaMemory.com Visit their website for more information.Anglers fishing for reef fish must have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to use. Take a short 15‑minute training to learn how to properly use required release gear and access it at a discounted price through returnemright.org. State: Open year-roundFederal: Closed Feb. 1-March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms"The Edges" closed from Jan. 1 - April 30.
Edibility
Excellent, but large individuals may contain ciguatera toxin and elevated mercury levels. Here's an excellent Red Grouper Catch, Clean, Cook by Deer Meat for Dinner
Synonyms
Epinephelus morio
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Local laws and licenses

Florida fishing license

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Reviews of Jones Bayou

4.5
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12 ratings

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1
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Cities nearby

Holmes Beach

0.7 miles away

Anna Maria

2.4 miles away

Bradenton Beach

2.7 miles away

Cortez

3.5 miles away

West Bradenton

5.8 miles away

South Bradenton

8.3 miles away

Bradenton

8.3 miles away

Palmetto

8.3 miles away

Longboat Key

8.9 miles away

Bayshore Gardens

9.2 miles away

Memphis

9.5 miles away

West Samoset

9.7 miles away

Samoset

10.3 miles away

Ellenton

11.3 miles away

Tierra Verde

11.5 miles away

Desoto Acres

14.4 miles away

Sarasota

15.2 miles away

St. Pete Beach

15.3 miles away

Desoto Lakes

15.7 miles away

Gulfport

16.8 miles away

South Pasadena

17.3 miles away

Bear Creek

17.4 miles away

Southgate

18.2 miles away

Treasure Island

19.1 miles away

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FAQ about Jones Bayou fishing

📍 Where is Jones Bayou located?
Jones Bayou is a part of an ocean located in Manatee County, Florida, United States. Its coordinates are:
27°30′10.7″N 82°42′31.3″W
.
🎣 Where on Jones Bayou is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Jones Bayou by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Jones Bayou?
The most common species in Jones Bayou are:
📢 What are the latest Jones Bayou fishing reports?
The latest Jones Bayou fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Jones Bayou right now?
According to fishing regulations at Jones Bayou, some of the species in season this November include: Common snook, Fat snook, Atlantic bluefin tuna, Lane snapper, and Grey triggerfish. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Jones Bayou?

Fishing in Florida requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Freshwater, saltwater, or combination licenses are available for residents and visitors, purchasable online, by phone, or at authorized retailers.

In Florida, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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