Canaveral Bight

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Florida, United States

4.8·501 catches

501

Logged catches

4.8

Top fish species at Canaveral Bight

Northern red snapper

King mackerel

Blacktip shark

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Canaveral Bight fishing reports

Northern red snapper

25 in · 5 lb

Northern red snapper

length · weight

Northern red snapper

length · weight

Gafftopsail sea catfish

length · weight

Bonnethead shark

length · weight

Sheepshead

length · weight

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Fishing regulations at Canaveral Bight, 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.

Local laws and licenses

Florida fishing license

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Regulations for top species

Season closed: October 23 - December 31

Northern red snapper

Regulation boundaryFL Atlantic State Waters

Bag limit1

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.

Aggregate limit10

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

Special gear

Circle Hooks & Dehooking

In waters North of 28 degrees N. latitude the use of non-stainless steel circle hooks (offset or non-offset) is required for all species in the snapper grouper complex when using hook-and-line gear with natural baits. Use of a dehooking device is required. These devices reduce mortality of released fish. Allowable gear includes vertical hook-and-line including hand-held hook-and-line and bandit gear, and spearfishing gear without rebreathers.

Restrictions & requirements

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

FL Reporting Requirements

Anglers 16 and older MUST declare fishing trips in the web-based FWC Atlantic Red Snapper Reporting System prior to leaving the dock and are encouraged to report fishing data post-trip. If you are a paying customer on a for-hire fishing trip, you do not need to declare a trip. Anglers are encouraged to report fishing data post-trip.

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 snapper. To sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler, call 1-888-347-4356.

Additional information

Reporting Requirements: Each angler intending on harvesting red snapper MUST declare each red snapper fishing trip in the web-based FWC Atlantic Red Snapper Reporting System. Upon completion of the fishing trip, anglers are recommended (but not required) to report catch data.10 Snapper Grouper Aggregate Bag Limit: When fishing for red snapper anglers can only harvesting 10 reef fish within the snapper grouper aggregate bag limit when fishing on a declared red snapper fishing trips. Aggregate includes:Only 1 fish can be a red snapperOnly 1 fish can be a gag, black, or scamp grouperUp to 2 fish can be a red, yellowfin, yellowmouth, coney, graysby, red hind, or rock hind grouperOnly 1 fish can be a red porgy, blueline tilefish, or golden tilefishOnly 1 fish can be a greater amberjackUp to 2 fish can be black seabassUp to 5 fish can be gray triggerfishUp to 7 fish can be a schoolmaster, gray, lane, yellowtail, queen, silk, or blackfin snapperUp to 5 fish can be a vermilion or mutton snapperUp to 2 fish can be a cubera snapper if each measures 30 inches or longer in total lengthAll fish, excluding red snapper, must follow current state and federal seasons, size limits, and vessel limits.Gag, red porgy, blueline and goldtilefish are out of season and CANNOT be harvested.

Edibility

Excellent, but may contain ciguatera toxin.

Synonyms

Lutjanus campechanus

Season open: year-round

King mackerel

Regulation boundaryFL Atlantic State Waters

Bag limit2

Min size24" (Fork Length)

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

Fork Length means the length of a fish as measured from the most forward point of the head to the rear center edge of the tail.

Additional information

On March 17, 2021 bag limit reverted to 2 king mackerel in FL Atlantic State Waters, for more information see MyFWC.com/KingMackerel.This species may be eligible for prizes and recognition if you submit photos through CatchaFloridaMemory.com Visit their website for more information. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is hosting a series of port meetings along the Atlantic coast in order to take a focused look at the commercial and recreational king and Spanish mackerel fisheries. Input gathered during these port meetings will directly affect future management efforts for king and Spanish mackerel https://safmc.net/posts/king-and-spanish-mackerel-port-meetings-continue-in-florida-and-south-carolina/

Edibility

Very good, but may contain elevated mercury levels. Watch Deer Meat for Dinner's Kingfish Catch, Clean, Cook. It's very good!

Synonyms

Scomberomorus cavalla, Smoker, kingfish

Season open: year-round

Blacktip shark

Regulation boundaryFL State Waters

Bag limit1

Aggregate limit1

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

Vessel limit2

The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.

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

Hook and line gear only. No minimum size limit. 1 shark per harvester or 2 sharks per vessel, whichever is less. Must be Landed in Whole Condition – A person harvesting a shark shall land each shark in whole condition. A person may NOT possess in or on Florida Waters, on any public or private fishing pier, or on a bridge or catwalk attached to a bridge from which fishing is allowed, a shark that has been beheaded, sliced, divided, filleted, ground, skinned, finned, or had the caudal fin (tail) removed. This provision will not be construed to prohibit the evisceration (gutting) of a shark or slicing the base of the caudal fin to bleed the carcass as long as the caudal fin remains attached. This species may be eligible for prizes and recognition if you submit photos through CatchaFloridaMemory.com Visit their website for more information. Please consider releasing all shark species.

Edibility

Catch, Clean, Cook Blacktip Shark

Synonyms

Carcharhinus limbatus

Local laws and licenses

Florida fishing license

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Cities nearby

3.4 miles away

7.6 miles away

9.2 miles away

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West Canaveral Groves

17.2 miles away

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33.3 miles away

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FAQ about Canaveral Bight fishing

📍 Where is Canaveral Bight located?

Canaveral Bight is a part of an ocean located in Brevard County, Florida, United States. Its coordinates are:

28°25′45.7″N 80°33′59.1″W

🎣 Where on Canaveral Bight is it best to fish?

Find the best fishing spots on Canaveral Bight 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 Canaveral Bight?

The most common species in Canaveral Bight are:

Northern red snapper - 74 members reported to have caught this fish
King mackerel - 56 members reported to have caught this fish
Blacktip shark - 19 members reported to have caught this fish

📢 What are the latest Canaveral Bight fishing reports?

The latest Canaveral Bight fishing reports are:

@Jeffrey-lang-3rd reported a nice Northern red snapper.
@alan-landis reported a nice Northern red snapper.
@alan-landis reported a nice Northern red snapper.
@Redlightfarts reported a nice Gafftopsail sea catfish.
@Redlightfarts reported a nice Bonnethead shark.

🗓️ What species are in season at Canaveral Bight right now?

According to fishing regulations at Canaveral Bight, some of the species in season this November include: Common snook, Red grouper, Fat snook, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and Greater amberjack. 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 Canaveral Bight?

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.

Get license

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Canaveral Bight

Top fish species at Canaveral Bight

Canaveral Bight fishing reports

General info

Location

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Canaveral Bight, FL

Regulations for top species

Northern red snapper

King mackerel

Blacktip shark

Reviews of Canaveral Bight

Other fishing waters nearby

Cities nearby

Anything missing or inaccurate?

FAQ about Canaveral Bight fishing