Cobiain Florida (Gulf)
Rachycentron canadum
Also called Ling, Lemonfish.
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for cobia in state waters, out to 9 nautical miles.
Measured as fork length (FL): snout to the fork of the tail.
FWC 2026· checked Open
Beyond 9 miles: federal waters
A different rule past the 9-mile line, written by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. Where the two differ, the water you are in decides.
Two-day possession allowance for for-hire trips does not apply to cobia.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CobiaThis page. | 36 in fork length min | 1 per person or 2 per vessel, whichever is less | Open year-round |
| Atlantic sharpnose sharkCobia has no shark tail; swims flat and slow.Tell them apart | No size limit | 1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel | Open year-round |
Florida (Gulf) state record
130.06 lb, Destin, 1997. FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Broad flat head, dark lateral stripe, no true dorsal spines — often mistaken for a shark at boatside. More on the cobia page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Cobia in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a cobia in Florida (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appCobia in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for cobia in Florida (Gulf)?
36 in fork length min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many cobia can you keep in Florida (Gulf)?
1 per person or 2 per vessel, whichever is less.
When is cobia season in Florida (Gulf)?
Open year-round.
What is the Florida (Gulf) record cobia?
130.06 lb, Destin (1997).
How current is this Florida (Gulf) cobia 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.