Spanish mackerelin Florida (Gulf)
Scomberomorus maculatus
Also called Spanish.
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for Spanish mackerel 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish mackerelThis page. | 12 in fork length min | 15 per person | Open year-round |
| King mackerelLateral line drops sharply mid-body; spots fade with size.Tell them apart | 24 in fork length min | 3 per person | Open year-round |
| False albacoreWavy worm-lines on the back, no spots.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
12 lb, Ft. Pierce, 1984. FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Gold-bronze spots on the flanks, no lateral-line dip, black front dorsal patch; smaller than a king. More on the Spanish mackerel page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Spanish mackerel in other states
In the app
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Get the appSpanish mackerel in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for Spanish mackerel in Florida (Gulf)?
12 in fork length min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many Spanish mackerel can you keep in Florida (Gulf)?
15 per person.
When is Spanish mackerel season in Florida (Gulf)?
Open year-round.
What is the Florida (Gulf) record Spanish mackerel?
12 lb, Ft. Pierce (1984).
How current is this Florida (Gulf) Spanish mackerel 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.