Black margatein Florida (Gulf)
Anisotremus surinamensis
Also called Pompon.
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for black margate in state waters, out to 9 nautical miles.
Unregulated — the default limit applies.
FWC 2026· checked · likelyOpen
Often mistaken for, and their Florida (Gulf) rules
Keep the wrong fish and the rule that applies is the other one’s.
| Fish | Size | Bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black margateThis page. | No size limit | 2 fish or 100 lb per day | Open year-round |
| White margateNo black blotch.Tell them apart | Not listed by Florida (Gulf): the default applies (No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb per person per day, whichever is greater) | ||
| SheepsheadTrue vertical convict bars.Tell them apart | 12 in TL min | 8 per person | Open year-round |
How to tell it
Chunky pale grunt with a black smudge behind the pectoral and jet-black fins; sheepshead-deep body. More on the black margate page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Black margate in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a black margate in Florida (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appBlack margate in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for black margate in Florida (Gulf)?
No size limit.
How many black margate can you keep in Florida (Gulf)?
2 fish or 100 lb per day.
When is black margate season in Florida (Gulf)?
Open year-round.
How current is this Florida (Gulf) black margate 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.