Sheepsheadin Florida (Gulf)
Archosargus probatocephalus
Also called Convict fish.
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for sheepshead in state waters, out to 9 nautical miles.
50-fish vessel limit per trip during March and April.
Measured as total length (TL): snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
FWC 2026· checked Open
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SheepsheadThis page. | 12 in TL min | 8 per person | Open year-round |
| Black drumJuvenile drum bars fade; drum has chin barbels.Tell them apart | 14-24 in slot | 5 per person (one may be over 24 in) | Open year-round |
| Atlantic spadefishRounder, disc-shaped, small mouth.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) | ||
Florida (Gulf) state record
15.13 lb, Homosassa, 1981. FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Bold black vertical bars and startlingly human-like teeth. More on the sheepshead page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Sheepshead in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a sheepshead in Florida (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appSheepshead in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for sheepshead in Florida (Gulf)?
12 in TL min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
How many sheepshead can you keep in Florida (Gulf)?
8 per person.
When is sheepshead season in Florida (Gulf)?
Open year-round.
What is the Florida (Gulf) record sheepshead?
15.13 lb, Homosassa (1981).
How current is this Florida (Gulf) sheepshead 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.