Top fish species at Palm Bay

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Palm Bay fishing reports

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Spotted seatrout

length · weight

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Grass carp

length · weight

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Atlantic goliath grouper

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

2 in · 7 lb

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General info

Palm Bay is a part of an ocean located in Collier County, Florida, United States. It is most popular for fishing Atlantic goliath grouper, Grass carp, and Spotted seatrout.

Location

25°56′33.3″N 81°37′9.5″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Palm Bay, 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

Species prohibited
Atlantic goliath grouper

Atlantic goliath grouper

Regulation boundaryFL State Waters

It is unlawful to harvest, possess, land, purchase, sell, or exchange this species.

Restrictions & requirements

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

Additional information
Goliath grouper is a protected species. FWC rules stipulate that harvest and possession of Goliath Grouper is prohibited. Goliath Grouper that are caught but immediately returned to the water free, alive and unharmed are not harvested. The taking of photographs after removal of hooks and posing for pictures with Goliath Grouper is not considered an immediately release of the fish. So, you should NOT remove a Goliath Grouper from the water to take pictures. If you want pictures, take them with the fish still in the water.Location Specific InformationAnglers fishing for reef fish must have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to useGet the required release gear by completing a 15-minute training from Return 'Em Right at: http://returnemright.org/In March 2022, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a limited, highly regulated recreational harvest of Goliath grouper in state waters beginning Spring 2023. This approved recreational harvest of Goliath grouper includes: A recreational harvest of up to 200 goliath per year, with a maximum of 50 from Everglades National Park. A required recreational goliath harvest permit and tag, issued via a random-draw lottery, to legally harvest a goliath ($150 for residents, $500 for non-residents). Limiting harvest to one fish per person per open season with permit and tag, non-transferable. A March 1 through May 31 season. Allowable gear will be hook-and-line only. A slot limit of 24 to 36 inches total length. Harvest would be permitted in all state waters except those of Martin County south through the Atlantic coast of the Keys, all of the St. Lucie River and its tributaries, and Dry Tortugas National Park. Post-harvest requirements, such as proper utilization of the harvest tag, reporting harvest data and submitting a fin clip for genetic analysis.
Edibility
Excellent, but large individuals may contain ciguatera toxin and elevated mercury levels.
Synonyms
Epinephelus itajara
Season open: year-round
Grass carp

Grass carp

Regulation boundaryFL State Waters
Bag limit0

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.

Additional information
It is illegal to possess grass carp without a permit; these fish must be released immediately.
Edibility
Poor
Synonyms
Ctenopharyngodon idellus
Season open: year-round
Spotted seatrout

Spotted seatrout

Regulation boundaryFL Seatrout Southwest
Bag limit3

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 size15" (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.

Max size19" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

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.

Memorable / trophy limits1 > 19

The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

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.

Zero Bag for Captain

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

Hook & Line Only

Allowable gear: hook and line.

Additional information
Southwest RegionRecreationalSlot limit: 15–19 inches total lengthBag limit: 3 per person/daySeason: Open year-roundOver-slot allowance:May possess no more than one fish per person or per vessel, whichever is less,that is greater than 19 inches total length, included in the bag limit. StatewideIllegal Gear: cannot harvest using any multiple hooks in conjunction with live or deadnatural bait; snatching prohibitedAllowable Gear: hook and line and cast netZero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip Southwest: All Florida Waters and adjacent federal waters lying south of the Charlotte Harbor Region and all Florida Waters and adjacent federal waters lying south of the Southeast Region, all waters of Collier County south of 26°15.227' North Latitude, all waters of Monroe County, and all waters of Everglades National Park.
Edibility
Excellent
Synonyms
Cynoscion nebulosus, Speckled Trout
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Local laws and licenses

Florida fishing license

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Cities nearby

Goodland

2.1 miles away

Marco Island

5.0 miles away

Winding Cypress

9.2 miles away

Lely Resort

11.4 miles away

Lely

13.0 miles away

Everglades

15.6 miles away

Golden Gate

17.5 miles away

Naples

18.0 miles away

Chokoloskee

18.4 miles away

Island Walk

22.1 miles away

Heritage Bay

23.7 miles away

Pelican Marsh

23.9 miles away

Orangetree

24.3 miles away

Naples Park

25.1 miles away

Ave Maria

28.5 miles away

Bonita Springs

30.4 miles away

Estero

35.2 miles away

Immokalee

35.5 miles away

Fort Myers Beach

38.4 miles away

San Carlos Park

38.9 miles away

Cypress Lake

44.7 miles away

Iona

44.9 miles away

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FAQ about Palm Bay fishing

📍 Where is Palm Bay located?
Palm Bay is a part of an ocean located in Collier County, Florida, United States. Its coordinates are:
25°56′33.3″N 81°37′9.5″W
.
🎣 Where on Palm Bay is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Palm Bay 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 Palm Bay?
The most common species in Palm Bay are:
📢 What are the latest Palm Bay fishing reports?
The latest Palm Bay fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Palm Bay right now?
According to fishing regulations at Palm Bay, 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 Palm Bay?

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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