Black sea bassin Florida (Gulf)
Centropristis striata
Also called Sea bass.
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for black sea bass in state waters, out to 9 nautical miles.
Measured as total length (TL): snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
FWC 2026· checked Open
Florida (Gulf) 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 (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appBlack sea bass in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for black sea bass in Florida (Gulf)?
10 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 (Gulf)?
100 lb per person.
When is black sea bass season in Florida (Gulf)?
Open year-round.
What is the Florida (Gulf) record black sea bass?
5.06 lb, Panama City (1956).
How current is this Florida (Gulf) 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.