Snook harvest reopens across the Tampa Bay region on September 1, ending the summer closure that has kept one of Florida’s most popular inshore gamefish strictly catch-and-release since the start of May.
Regulations and Guidelines
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission permits one snook per person per day in the Tampa Bay region. The slot limit is not less than 28 inches and not more than 33 inches total length. Anglers must have a recreational saltwater fishing license and a separate snook permit to keep a snook.
Snook may be taken by hook and line only. Nets and spears are off limits, and the fish must stay whole until it is landed ashore. Commercial harvest and sale are banned statewide.
Regional Management
Florida manages snook across nine regions, and their calendars do not line up. The Tampa Bay region runs from Fred Howard Park, near the Pasco and Pinellas county line, south to State Road 64 in Manatee County.
Anglers should check the calendar before they load a cooler, as the Charlotte Harbor region stays closed through September 30 and does not open until October 1.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
