Northwest Florida · Panhandle region
FWC regs
Size, bag, and season for the fish people actually keep around Panama City. Bay County is in the Panhandle region, from the Alabama line east to near Alligator Point. Numbers are copied from the linked MyFWC pages. Where a page did not state a value, this list says “Check FWC.”
Last checked October 31, 2026 against the MyFWC species pages linked here. Regulations change. Always confirm with FWC before you keep a fish.
Most people need a Florida recreational saltwater fishing license. Exemptions exist. Confirm them on the FWC saltwater license page.
Tyndall AFB waters and St. Andrew Sound have access limits on top of these fish rules. Non-Department of War visitors need a Tyndall recreation permit for the East Unit and for Tyndall boat ramps. Crooked Island Sound beside the drone launch is a danger area during launches. Beach access on base is sunrise to sunset. Read the 2026–27 Tyndall regulations and the base FAQ before you launch there.
Redfish · Red drum
Panhandle
- Size
- Slot 18–27 in total length
- Bag
- 1 per person per day, and no more than 4 per vessel
- Season
- Open year-round
- A separate 4-fish-per-person transport limit applies in a vehicle away from the fishing site.
- Fish must stay whole until landed.
- On a for-hire trip, captain and crew may not keep a bag limit.
- Commercial harvest is prohibited.
Speckled trout · Spotted seatrout
Panhandle
- Size
- Slot 15–19 in total length
- Bag
- 3 per person per day. One fish over 19 in is allowed per vessel, or per person if you are fishing from shore, and it counts toward the bag.
- Season
- Open March 1–January 31. Closed in February.
- Fish must stay whole until landed.
- On a for-hire trip, captain and crew may not keep a bag limit.
Flounder
Gulf and Atlantic state waters
- Size
- 14 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 5 per person
- Season
- Closed every year from October 15 through November 30.
- The page covers Gulf flounder, Southern flounder, summer flounder, and fringed flounder.
- Rules apply in state and federal waters off Florida.
Sheepshead
Gulf and Atlantic state waters
- Size
- 12 in total length minimum
- Bag
- 8 per person. During March and April the vessel limit is 50 per trip.
- Season
- Open year-round
- State rules extend into federal waters.
Spanish mackerel
Gulf and Atlantic state waters
- Size
- 12 in fork length minimum
- Bag
- 15 per harvester
- Season
- Open year-round
King mackerel
Gulf state waters, including Bay County out to 9 miles
- Size
- 24 in fork length minimum
- Bag
- 3 per harvester
- Season
- Open year-round in Gulf state waters
- Atlantic state waters, excluding Monroe County, are 2 per harvester. That bag does not apply off Bay County.
- Past 9 miles is federal water. Check FWC before you keep a king from offshore.
Cobia
Gulf and Atlantic state waters
- Size
- 36 in fork length minimum
- Bag
- 1 per person or 2 per vessel, whichever is less
- Season
- Check FWC. The species page lists size and bag, and does not state a season.
- The same size and bag are listed for Gulf and Atlantic federal waters.
Florida pompano
State and federal waters
- Size
- 11 in fork length minimum
- Bag
- 6 per harvester
- Season
- Open year-round
- African pompano and permit are different fish with different limits on the same FWC page.
Snook
Panhandle
- Size
- Slot 28–33 in total length
- Bag
- 1 per person per day
- Season
- Closed December 1 through the end of February, and May 1 through August 31.
- Snook are uncommon in Bay County. If you catch one, these Panhandle rules still apply.
- A snook permit is required in addition to the recreational saltwater license.
- On a for-hire trip, captain and crew may not keep a bag limit.
- No commercial harvest or sale.