Black sea bassin Florida (Atlantic)
Centropristis striata
Also called Sea bass.
The rule in Florida (Atlantic)
Florida (Atlantic)’s own rule for black sea bass in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
Measured as total length (TL): snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
FWC 2026· checked Open
Beyond 3 miles: federal waters
A different rule past the 3-mile line, written by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Where the two differ, the water you are in decides.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Florida (Atlantic) state record
5.06 lb, Panama City, 1956. FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Blue-black with pale barred cheeks; big males show a blue nape hump and fin trailers. More on the black sea bass page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Black sea bass in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a black sea bass in Florida (Atlantic) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appBlack sea bass in Florida (Atlantic): the questions
What is the size limit for black sea bass in Florida (Atlantic)?
13 in TL min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
How many black sea bass can you keep in Florida (Atlantic)?
7 per person.
When is black sea bass season in Florida (Atlantic)?
Open year-round.
What is the Florida (Atlantic) record black sea bass?
5.06 lb, Panama City (1956).
How current is this Florida (Atlantic) black sea bass rule?
Source: FWC 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.