Skipjack tunain Florida (Gulf)
Katsuwonus pelamis
Also called Skippy, Oceanic bonito.
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). Florida (Gulf) lists no rule of its own for skipjack tuna, so the council's rule applies in state waters too.
The boat needs an HMS Angling permit to fish for Atlantic tunas.
NOAA HMS 2025· 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skipjack tunaThis page. | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-round |
| False albacoreWavy marks on the back, spots under the pectoral.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) | ||
| Atlantic bonitoStripes on the back, slimmer.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
33.5 lb, Islamorada, 1998. FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Dark horizontal stripes on the BELLY — not the back; stout purple-backed football. More on the skipjack tuna page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Skipjack tuna in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a skipjack tuna in Florida (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appSkipjack tuna in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for skipjack tuna in Florida (Gulf)?
No size limit.
How many skipjack tuna can you keep in Florida (Gulf)?
No bag limit.
When is skipjack tuna season in Florida (Gulf)?
Open year-round.
What is the Florida (Gulf) record skipjack tuna?
33.5 lb, Islamorada (1998).
How current is this Florida (Gulf) skipjack tuna rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 2025, 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.