FWC regulations · Indian River Lagoon & Atlantic · status as of
Seasons & regs
Open/closed status is calculated live from today's date. Rules change — sometimes by executive order with a week's notice. On our boat, your fishing license is covered and the captain knows the current rules. Captain and crew keep no bag limit on for-hire trips.
SpeciesRegionSizeBagStatusNotes
Redfish
Indian River Lagoon
—
0 (C&R)
C&R ONLYNo harvest
Catch-and-release only in the IRL management region. FWC ↗
Spotted seatrout
Indian River Lagoon
15–19" slot
2 / person
OPENCloses Nov 1
No over-slot fish. New regional rules effective Apr 1, 2026. FWC ↗
Snook
Atlantic / IRL
28–32" slot
1 / person
OPENCloses Dec 15
Snook permit normally required — covered on our charter. FWC ↗
Black drum
Statewide
14–24" slot
5 / person
OPENYear-round
One fish over 24" allowed per person. FWC ↗
Mangrove snapper
Atlantic
10" TL min
5 / person
OPENYear-round
Counts toward the 10-snapper aggregate. FWC ↗
Red snapper
Atlantic
No minimum
1 / person
CLOSEDOpens Oct 9
State-managed fall season Oct 9–22, 2026. Trip must be declared in the FWC app. FWC ↗
Gag grouper
Atlantic
24" TL min
1 / person
CLOSEDQuota closure
2026 Atlantic harvest closed Aug 2 after quota was met. Normally May 1–Dec 31. FWC ↗
Cobia
Atlantic
36" FL min
1 / person
OPENYear-round
Vessel limit applies. Spring run peaks Mar–Apr. FWC ↗
King mackerel
Atlantic
24" FL min
3 / person
OPENYear-round
Fall and spring runs off the beach. FWC ↗
Sharks
State waters
Varies
C&R on our trips
C&R ONLYNo harvest
Many species prohibited. We release every shark. FWC ↗
Sheepshead
Atlantic
12" FL min
8 / person
OPENYear-round
Winter spawn run on the jetties and bridges. Fiddler crabs and shrimp. FWC ↗
Checking with FWC for the latest rule changes…
Verify before harvest: MyFWC.com/Marine · Atlantic red snapper season · 2026 seatrout regional rules
When they bite · New Smyrna Beach
Season calendar
Swipe for all 12 months →
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish | Jan: Good | Feb: Good | Mar: Peak | Apr: Peak | May: Good | Jun: Good | Jul: Good | Aug: Peak | Sep: Peak | Oct: Peak | Nov: Peak | Dec: Good |
| Spotted seatrout | Jan: Good | Feb: Good | Mar: Peak | Apr: Peak | May: Peak | Jun: Good | Jul: Good | Aug: Good | Sep: Good | Oct: Peak | Nov: Good | Dec: Good |
| Snook | Jan: Possible | Feb: Possible | Mar: Good | Apr: Good | May: Good | Jun: Good | Jul: Good | Aug: Peak | Sep: Peak | Oct: Peak | Nov: Good | Dec: Possible |
| Sheepshead | Jan: Peak | Feb: Peak | Mar: Peak | Apr: Peak | May: Good | Jun: Possible | Jul: Possible | Aug: Possible | Sep: Possible | Oct: Good | Nov: Good | Dec: Peak |
| Tarpon | Jan: Off | Feb: Off | Mar: Possible | Apr: Good | May: Peak | Jun: Peak | Jul: Peak | Aug: Peak | Sep: Peak | Oct: Peak | Nov: Good | Dec: Off |
| Black drum | Jan: Peak | Feb: Peak | Mar: Peak | Apr: Peak | May: Good | Jun: Possible | Jul: Possible | Aug: Possible | Sep: Possible | Oct: Good | Nov: Good | Dec: Peak |
| Mangrove snapper | Jan: Possible | Feb: Possible | Mar: Possible | Apr: Good | May: Good | Jun: Peak | Jul: Peak | Aug: Peak | Sep: Peak | Oct: Good | Nov: Good | Dec: Possible |
| Red snapper | Jan: Possible | Feb: Possible | Mar: Possible | Apr: Good | May: Good | Jun: Good | Jul: Good | Aug: Good | Sep: Good | Oct: Good | Nov: Possible | Dec: Possible |
| Gag grouper | Jan: Possible | Feb: Possible | Mar: Possible | Apr: Possible | May: Good | Jun: Good | Jul: Good | Aug: Good | Sep: Good | Oct: Good | Nov: Good | Dec: Possible |
| Cobia | Jan: Possible | Feb: Good | Mar: Peak | Apr: Peak | May: Good | Jun: Possible | Jul: Possible | Aug: Possible | Sep: Possible | Oct: Good | Nov: Good | Dec: Possible |
| Mahi-mahi | Jan: Off | Feb: Off | Mar: Possible | Apr: Good | May: Peak | Jun: Peak | Jul: Good | Aug: Possible | Sep: Possible | Oct: Possible | Nov: Off | Dec: Off |
| Sharks | Jan: Good | Feb: Good | Mar: Good | Apr: Peak | May: Peak | Jun: Peak | Jul: Peak | Aug: Peak | Sep: Peak | Oct: Peak | Nov: Good | Dec: Good |
PeakGoodPossibleOff