Which Florida Fish are Measured by Tail Fork Length vs Total Length?

It’s crucial to understand that while saltwater fishing in Florida, there are two ways to measure the length of the fish you caught to see if you are within the legal limits. One is that you measure by the furthest part of the jaw and back to the middle of the fork in the tail.

This is used for fish with deep forks in the tail. The other way is to measure to the furthest point of the tail when it is bunched up together. You don’t get to choose which way to measure, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has made determinations for each fish. You can see this in the table below.

FLORIDA FISH NAME	FORK LENGTH	TOTAL LENGTH
Amberjack, Greater	Yes	No
Amberjack, Lesser	Yes	No
Banded Rudderfish	Yes	No
Barracuda	Yes	No
Black Drum	No	Yes
Black Sea Bass	No	Yes
Blackfin Tuna	Yes	No
Bluefish	No Limit	No Limit
Blue Marlin	Yes	no
Blue Runner	No Limit	No Limit
Bonefish	Yes	No
Cobia (Ling)	Yes	No
Dolphinfish (Mahi-mahi)	Yes	No
Flounder	No	Yes
Grouper (all)	No	Yes
Hogfish	Yes	No
Mackerel, King	Yes	No
Mackerel, Spanish	Yes	No
Mullet, Striped/Silver	No Limit	No Limit
Permit	Yes	No
Pompano, African	Yes	No
Pompano, Florida	Yes	No
Redfish (Red Drum)	No	Yes
Red Porgy	No	Yes
Roundscale Spearfish	Yes	No
Sailfish	Yes	No
Sheepshead	No	Yes
Snapper (all)	No	Yes
Snook	No	Yes
Spotted Seatrout	No	Yes
Swordfish	Yes	No
Tarpon	Yes	No
Tilefish, Blueline	Yes	No
Tilefish, Golden	Yes	No
Triggerfish, Gray	Yes	No
Tripletail	No	Yes
Wahoo	Yes	No
Weakfish	No	Yes
White Marlin	Yes	No

Florida fish measurement requirements (Tail Fork vs. Total Length). ©Vern Lovic at Salty101.com.

Please note, that some of the fish in the Florida Fishing Regulations PDF do not specify total length, when they probably should have. Some of the grouper, for instance, probably are measured by total length, but there is no “diamond” shape to signify that.

Here is a video showing HOW TO MEASURE FISH by FORK LENGTH and TOTAL LENGTH.

How to Measure a Fish

Watch this video on YouTube

Twenty Four Fish are required to be measured by FORK LENGTH.

Twelve Fish are required to be measured by TOTAL LENGTH.

You’ll have to bring the chart above with you. Take a photo of it now with your mobile phone so you always have it.

Disclaimer – While we have tried our best to be accurate, some data may be incorrect. Data is always subject to updating and we may miss it for a while. When in doubt, check the PDF you can download here. But even so, that might not be the latest!