Florida black drum use a 14-to-24-inch slot limit
As of July 20, 2026, the ordinary answer in Florida state waters is a 14-to-24-inch total-length slot. A black drum shorter than 14 inches must go back. So must one longer than 24 inches, unless it is the one oversized fish allowed within that angler’s daily bag.
The daily bag is five black drum per harvester, and that total can include only one fish over 24 inches. In other words, the oversized fish does not become a sixth fish. The statewide season is open year-round.
The ruler matters because Florida uses total length for black drum. Lay the fish on its side, close its mouth, squeeze the tail together, and measure in a straight line from the front of the head to the farthest tip of the tail. Do not run a flexible tape around the curve of the body, because that can make a short fish seem legal.
The statewide answer does not erase the location. FWC flags special regulations in Biscayne National Park, while federal waters can involve separate Gulf or Atlantic rules. A saltwater license or exemption still matters, and FWC also prohibits snatching and using a multiple hook with live or dead natural bait. Before keeping the fish, check the current FWC black drum page for the place and day. When the measurement or water boundary is uncertain, release it.
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Official sources
Last checked against these sources: July 20, 2026.
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