2026 regulation year
Florida Spotted seatrout 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Cynoscion nebulosus
Last updated
Spotted seatrout (specks) are a flats-and-grass-bed staple across all Florida coasts. Bag and slot rules are zoned: the Northwest zone closes Feb 1 – May 31, while Southeast and Southwest zones stay open year-round.
Season
Northwest zone closed Feb 1 – May 31. Other zones year-round.
– Northwest
Open window
– Northwest
Open window
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 3 / day (most zones); 2 / day NW zone when open
- Possession
- 6 in possession (most zones)
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 15–19 in slot; one fish over 19 in per angler per day
- Slot
- 15–19 in; one over-slot trophy allowed daily
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line only — no spearing, no commercial nets in sport zones
- Circle hooks recommended with natural bait
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Florida waters:
Apalachicola Bay (NW zone)
Closed Feb 1 – May 31; 2 / day when open
Indian River Lagoon
Year-round 3 / day; some sub-zones reduced
Tampa Bay
Standard 3 / day, slot enforced
Florida Bay (Everglades NP)
Park-specific rules layer on top of state slot
Official source
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission publishes the authoritative 2026 Floridafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.