In June, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) increased the snook minimum size limit to 27 inches total length from 26 inches.

FWC also changed the way that snook should be measured. You should now determine the straight-line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed together, while the fish is lying on its side.

Increasing the minimum size limit by one inch compensates for a slight increase in length some anglers may achieve when measuring snook this way. And, biologists hope the new rules will increase snook spawning stocks by, “decreasing snook harvest by 22 percent on Florida’s Gulf Coast and by 12 percent on the Atlantic Coast.” A recent FWC stock assessment for snook indicates that more anglers are catching and killing snook, and consequently, the management goal is falling short.

The maximum size limit for snook remains unchanged at 34 inches total length.

During the open seasons, the recreational daily bag limit on the Atlantic Coast is two snook per person. Anglers may possess one snook in the slot along the Gulf Coast, in waters of Monroe County and in Everglades National Park.

Licensed saltwater anglers must purchase a $2 permit to harvest snook. Snatch-hooking and spearing snook are prohibited, and it is illegal to buy or sell snook. Snook regulations also apply in federal waters.

From Florida Sportsman Magazine @ www.floridasportsman.com

I Went out last Tuesday fishing the mangroves and i pulled out four SMALL. Let me repeat Small Snook on DOA Glow Shrimp. Here they are apparently all the big snook are still on the beaches. Hoping the Winter will bring bigger fish into the upper Tampa bay

Went to Upper Tampa Bay park to fish and paddle double branch creek with one of my cap mel forum members Jim. We put in at state street at 7am, and we were off. Paddled against a slight wind for about 15 minutes to the mouth of the park. A flats boat was live bait fishing the mangroves as well as a Gheenoe throwing spoons. We didn't see a thing caught. We fished the mangroves and oyster bars. I eventually caught one baby snook. I released the little guy and we continued fishing while paddling back to the launch. We were off the water by 10:30. The fishing wasn't so great but the scenery sure was!