• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you're exempt, plus a snook permit to keep snook. Customers on a licensed charter boat are covered for both.
• Reef fish (snapper, grouper, hogfish, amberjack) from a private boat require the free State Reef Fish Survey designation. On board you also need non-stainless-steel hooks with natural bait, a dehooking tool, and a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready.
• The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary has no-take zones on many popular reefs. Check the zone map before you fish or spearfish.
• Spearfishing is banned in state waters from Long Key north to the Miami-Dade County line, which takes in Islamorada out to 3 nautical miles. Snook, tarpon, bonefish and permit may not be speared.
• Total length (TL) is measured to the tip of the tail; fork length (FL) to the fork; billfish are measured lower jaw to fork.

Limits on this page were checked against MyFWC.com on October 23, 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season, so confirm in the FWC Fish Rules app or at MyFWC.com before you keep anything.