Florida Spear Fishing Laws

Spear fishing in Florida includes a wide variety of fish. There are several regulations, which limit the size and type of fish that can be hunted with a spear gun. The thing to remember is that when people do not follow the game fishing laws, they threaten the future of the sport.

The Florida Keys are one of the best spear fishing in Florida areas. This area runs down the Keys to the Dry Tortugas. Hogfish, Grouper, Gray, Mutton, Lane, and Red Snapper, Jack, Amber Jack, and Cobia are the most popular fish hunted via spear fishing in Florida. These species have hit records from a 17 pound Gray Snapper to a 142 pound Amber Jack. These fish are tasty but there are some other fish, which are not very tasty and may even make you sick. When you go spear fishing in Florida, make sure you know your prey.

The reef that runs through the Florida Keys where the spear fishing in Florida is generally done is home to numerous fish. Because this coral is still alive, mooring buoys are already in place to protect the reef from further damage and to help perpetuate the environmental ecosystem.

Spear fishing in Florida is defined as catching fish by using a bow, gig, or spear, which punctures the body of the fish. The spear can be propelled through the water manually or by a spear gun. It can have multiple points or barbs and be launched by a diver either swimming on the surface or beneath the waves.

Power heads, bangsticks and rebreathers are not allowed. There are several species of fish that cannot be hunted with a spear or spear gun. They include all Billfish, Spotted Eagle Ray, Sturgeon, Manta Ray, Sharks, Blue Crab, Nassau Grouper, Stone Crab, and Lobster to name just a few. Check with the Florida fish and game rules for a more complete list.

Some other rules, which apply to spear fishing in Florida, exclude the sport from fresh water areas. In fact, having the spear or spear gun with you in a fresh water fishing area is breaking the law. It is also illegal to spear fish near public swimming areas or commercial and public fishing bridges and piers. Spear fishing in Florida is illegal from a jetty that stretches less than 1,500 feet from shore. Stay away from the area between Long Key to the Dade County line when spear fishing in Florida.

When spear fishing in Florida, please realize that your spear gun is a weapon. If handled irresponsibly it can become a lethal weapon. Keep the safety on and be sure to use proper maintenance to insure it works properly.