Map

Pilot Harbor

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Florida, United States

4.8·63 catches

Top fish species at Pilot Harbor

App Section

Check which species have trophy potential in Pilot Harbor

Pilot Harbor fishing reports

Loading...

Red grouper

length · weight

Loading...

Red grouper

length · weight

Loading...

Red grouper

length · weight

Loading...

Red grouper

length · weight

Loading...

Red grouper

length · weight

Loading...

Red grouper

23 in · 8 lb

Fishbrain
More catches in the app...

Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

General info

Pilot Harbor is a part of an ocean located in Franklin County, Florida, United States. It is most popular for fishing Red drum, Red grouper, and Spotted seatrout.

Location

29°44′28.1″N 84°43′20″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Pilot Harbor, 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
Red drum

Red drum

Regulation boundaryFL Panhandle (Redfish)
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 size18" (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 size27" (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.

Vessel limit4

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

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

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

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

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.

Keep-Whole

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

Additional information
Off-the-water transport limit is four fish per person.Legal Gear: hook and line, cast nets
Edibility
Very Good
Synonyms
Channel Bass, Redfish, Sciaenops ocellatus, Spottail Bass
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
Season open: March 1 - January 31
Spotted seatrout

Spotted seatrout

Regulation boundaryFL Seatrout Panhandle
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
Panhandle RegionRecreationalSlot limit: 15–19 inches total lengthBag limit: 3 per person/dayClosed season: FebruaryOpen season: March 1 – Jan. 31Over-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 Panhandle: The western boundary is located at the Florida-Alabama border, and the region extends to the eastern coastal boundary at 84°20.800ꞌ West Longitude in Franklin County near Alligator Point. Includes all inland waters of the counties named and highlighted in yellow. Does not include Ochlockonee Bay or the Ochlockonee River and its tributaries.
Edibility
Excellent
Synonyms
Cynoscion nebulosus, Speckled Trout
License Icon
Local laws and licenses

Florida fishing license

Get license

Reviews of Pilot Harbor

4.8
Loading...

4 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Carrabelle

8.5 miles away

Eastpoint

8.9 miles away

St. George Island

11.7 miles away

Apalachicola

16.3 miles away

Sumatra

24.9 miles away

Sopchoppy

26.2 miles away

Panacea

27.9 miles away

Port St. Joe

35.6 miles away

Wewahitchka

38.2 miles away

Crawfordville

38.3 miles away

St. Marks

42.5 miles away

Mexico Beach

43.9 miles away

Hosford

45.4 miles away

Woodville

48.1 miles away

Fort Braden

48.9 miles away

Bristol

49.7 miles away

Blountstown

52.2 miles away

Tallahassee

56.7 miles away

Greensboro

57.3 miles away

Quincy

57.6 miles away

Gretna

58.9 miles away

Chaires

60.1 miles away

Wacissa

60.9 miles away

Capitola

61.9 miles away

Anything missing or inaccurate?

Suggest changes to improve what we show.

Suggest changes

FAQ about Pilot Harbor fishing

📍 Where is Pilot Harbor located?
Pilot Harbor is a part of an ocean located in Franklin County, Florida, United States. Its coordinates are:
29°44′28.1″N 84°43′20″W
.
🎣 Where on Pilot Harbor is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Pilot Harbor 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 Pilot Harbor?
The most common species in Pilot Harbor are:
📢 What are the latest Pilot Harbor fishing reports?
The latest Pilot Harbor fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Pilot Harbor right now?
According to fishing regulations at Pilot Harbor, some of the species in season this November include: Spotted seatrout, Common snook, Fat snook, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and Lane snapper. 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 Pilot Harbor?

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
App Section
Download Fishbrain and fish smarter
Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish.

Free trial available

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...