Speckled hindin Florida (Atlantic)
Hyporthodus drummondhayi
The rule in Florida (Atlantic)
Florida (Atlantic)’s own rule for speckled hind in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
Harvest prohibited in Atlantic federal waters.
Counts toward an aggregate limit: Atlantic 3-grouper/tilefish aggregate.
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.
Must be released immediately.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Often mistaken for, and their Florida (Atlantic) rules
Keep the wrong fish and the rule that applies is the other one’s.
| Fish | Size | Bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speckled hindThis page. | No size limit | 1 per vessel per day (state waters) | State waters open year-round |
| Red hindRed spots on pale body — the inverse pattern.Tell them apart | No size limit | Up to 3 within 3-grouper aggregate | Open May 1-Dec 31 |
Florida (Atlantic) state record
52.5 lb, Destin, 1994. FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Chocolate body absolutely covered in tiny white speckles. More on the speckled hind page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Speckled hind in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a speckled hind in Florida (Atlantic) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appSpeckled hind in Florida (Atlantic): the questions
What is the size limit for speckled hind in Florida (Atlantic)?
No size limit.
How many speckled hind can you keep in Florida (Atlantic)?
1 per vessel per day (state waters). It counts toward an aggregate: Atlantic 3-grouper/tilefish aggregate.
When is speckled hind season in Florida (Atlantic)?
State waters open year-round.
What is the Florida (Atlantic) record speckled hind?
52.5 lb, Destin (1994).
How current is this Florida (Atlantic) speckled hind 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.