Top fish species at Pine Key Bight

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Check which species have trophy potential in Pine Key Bight

Pine Key Bight fishing reports

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Bluestriped grunt

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Inland silverside

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Mangrove snapper

length · weight

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White grunt

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Mangrove snapper

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Cubera snapper

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General info

Pine Key Bight is a part of an ocean located in Monroe County, Florida, United States. It is most popular for fishing Mangrove snapper, Nurse shark, and Great barracuda.

Location

24°40′48.7″N 81°20′13.2″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Pine Key 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.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Mangrove snapper

Mangrove snapper

Regulation boundaryFL Gulf State Waters
Bag limit5

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 size10" (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 limit10

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

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

Additional information
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.
Edibility
Excellent. Here's a fun and tasty mangrove snapper Catch, Clean, Cook by Deer Meat for Dinner!
Synonyms
Lutjanus griseus, Mangrove Snapper
Season open: year-round
Nurse shark

Nurse shark

Regulation boundaryFL 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.

Min size54" (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.

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. 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. Please consider releasing all shark species.
Synonyms
Ginglymostoma cirratum
Season open: year-round
Great barracuda

Great barracuda

Regulation boundaryFL Barracuda
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 size15" (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.

Memorable / trophy limits1 > 36

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.

Vessel limit6

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

Additional information
These regulations apply in state and federal waters from Martin County to Collier County (Including Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Martin counties).Slot Limit: 15-36" fork length with 1 fish greater than 36" per person or vessel per dayDaily Bag Limit: 2 fish per person, 6 per vesselNo closed season.
Edibility
Small to medium barracuda are very good, but large individuals may contain ciguatera toxin and elevated mercury levels. Check out BlueGabe's Great Barracuda catch, clean, cook.
Synonyms
Kaku, Sphyraena barracuda
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Local laws and licenses

Florida fishing license

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Reviews of Pine Key Bight

3.3
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3 ratings

5
4
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2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Big Pine Key

2.0 miles away

Cudjoe Key

10.2 miles away

Marathon

19.1 miles away

Key Colony Beach

20.0 miles away

Big Coppitt Key

21.0 miles away

Duck Key

27.3 miles away

Key West

28.8 miles away

Layton

34.4 miles away

Tavernier

56.7 miles away

Key Largo

65.5 miles away

North Key Largo

74.9 miles away

Florida City

75.6 miles away

Homestead

77.8 miles away

Chokoloskee

78.4 miles away

Leisure City

79.6 miles away

Naranja

81.3 miles away

Everglades

81.4 miles away

Homestead Base

81.6 miles away

Princeton

83.6 miles away

Goulds

85.0 miles away

Richmond West

85.7 miles away

South Miami Heights

86.4 miles away

Goodland

88.2 miles away

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FAQ about Pine Key Bight fishing

📍 Where is Pine Key Bight located?
Pine Key Bight is a part of an ocean located in Monroe County, Florida, United States. Its coordinates are:
24°40′48.7″N 81°20′13.2″W
.
🎣 Where on Pine Key Bight is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Pine Key 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 Pine Key Bight?
The most common species in Pine Key Bight are:
📢 What are the latest Pine Key Bight fishing reports?
The latest Pine Key Bight fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Pine Key Bight right now?
According to fishing regulations at Pine Key Bight, some of the species in season this November include: Common snook, Red grouper, Fat snook, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and Permit. 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 Pine Key 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.

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