Spotted seatroutin Florida (Gulf)
Cynoscion nebulosus
Also called Speck, Spotted seatrout.
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for spotted seatrout in state waters, out to 9 nautical miles.
One fish over 19 in allowed per vessel (or per shore angler); captain/crew excluded.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotted seatroutThis page. | 15-19 in TL slot | 3 per person (Big Bend region: 5) | Open year-round (Panhandle region closed February) |
| WeakfishSpots form diagonal rows, not scattered.Tell them apart | 12 in TL min in NE management zone | 1 per person in NE zone; 100 lb per person elsewhere | Open year-round |
Florida (Gulf) state record
17.44 lb, Ft. Pierce, 1995. FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Round black spots scattered on back, dorsal and tail; two canine teeth; soft mouth. More on the spotted seatrout page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Spotted seatrout in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a spotted seatrout in Florida (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appSpotted seatrout in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for spotted seatrout in Florida (Gulf)?
15-19 in TL slot. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
How many spotted seatrout can you keep in Florida (Gulf)?
3 per person (Big Bend region: 5).
When is spotted seatrout season in Florida (Gulf)?
Open year-round (Panhandle region closed February).
What is the Florida (Gulf) record spotted seatrout?
17.44 lb, Ft. Pierce (1995).
How current is this Florida (Gulf) spotted seatrout 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.