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Fishing regulations at sunshine key, 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.
Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Yellowtail snapper as of April 12th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.
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A descending device is required on board all vessels fishing for or possessing snapper and grouper species in federal waters of the South Atlantic. The descending device must be readily available for use and attached to at least 16 ounces of weight and at least 60 feet of line. Get more information at Best Fishing Practices Webpage Must be landed with head and fins intact.
If you are bringing fish back to the U.S. from the Bahamas by water, please see Bringing fish back from the Bahamas.
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Federally Permitted Charter/Headboats:
- If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that fish.
- If a federally permitted vessel fishing in state waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters but open in state waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that species.
- If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in state waters but open to harvest in federal waters, they may retain that fish if they do not stop to fish in state waters when returning to port. All gear must be stowed.
Federally Permitted Charter/Headboats must have the following on board:
- The 2019 version of the NMFS document titled "Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release with Minimal Injury" (document may be electronic).
- NMFS sea turtle handling and release guidelines placard
- Required release and handling gears
See Snapper Grouper Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Release Gear Requirements for more information.
For more information on the management of South Atlantic federal fisheries, please visit SAFMC or NOAA Fisheries.
To see commercial regulations, download Fish Rules Commercial App for iOS devices or Android devices.
Flag, Ocyurus chrysurus
Regulations for
FAQ about sunshine key fishing
- Yellowtail snapper - 31 members reported to have caught this fish
- Common dolphinfish - 36 members reported to have caught this fish
- Mutton snapper - 17 members reported to have caught this fish
- @ethancox5769 reported a nice Graysby grouper.
- @maxvaughn5291 reported a nice Mutton snapper.
- @lori-murphy reported a nice Common dolphinfish.
- @clesanto reported a nice Common remora.
- @clesanto reported a nice White grunt.
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