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Spearing
Spearing is defined as "the catching or taking of a fish by bowhunting, gigging, spearfishing, or any device used
to capture a fish by piercing its body." Spearing does not include the catching or taking of a fish by a hook with hook and
line gear or by snagging (snatch hooking). Spearfishing is defined as "the catching or taking of a fish through the instrumentality
of a hand or mechanically propelled, single or multi-pronged spear or lance, barbed or barbless, operated by a person swimming
at or below the surface of the water." The use of powerheads, bangsticks, and rebreathers remains prohibited. The
following is a list of species which are PROHIBITED for harvest by spearing. Any other species not listed which are
managed by the Commission, and those not managed by the Commission are allowed to be harvested by spearing.
* Billfish (all species)
* Spotted eagle ray
* Sturgeon *
Manta ray
* Sharks (all species) *
Bonefish
* Tarpon *
Goliath grouper
* Snook *
Blue crab
* Nassau grouper
* Spotted seatrout
* Red drum *
Weakfish
* Stone crab
* Pompano
* African pompano
* Permit
* Tripletail
* Lobster
* Families of ornamental reef fish (surgeonfish, trumpetfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, porcupinefish,
cornetfish, squirrelfish, trunkfish, damselfish, parrotfish, pipefish, seahorse, puffers, triggerfish except gray and ocean).
You may NOT spear, bowfish or gig:
In Volusia County inland waters with the exception of flounder and sheepshead using a spear with three
or fewer prongs.
For species that do not have an established bag limit, more than 100 pounds or two fish per harvester per day (whichever
is greater), is considered commercial quantities. A saltwater products license and commercial vessel registration is required
to harvest commercial quantities of unregulated species. It is illegal to sell recreationally harvested fish without compliance
with commercial license requirements
Licensing requirements follow the species of fish you are fishing for, regardless of where you are fishing. For example,
anglers fishing for and possessing largemouth bass in brackish water need a freshwater license; anglers fishing for saltwater
species in fresh water (e.g., spotted seatrout, red drum, snook, or American shad) need a saltwater license to possess these
species.
Fish identification resources:
• Online: MyFWC.com, click on "Fishing."
To report fish and wildlife law • violations, call the Wildlife Alert
Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922)
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