Florida Notebook: Terrific Tarpon; New Info on Triggerfish, Lobster, Grouper

Here’s a look at news and notes of interest to hunters and anglers in Florida:

Gulf Gray Triggerfish Harvest Now Open

The 2025 recreational season for Gulf gray triggerfish is now open for the remainder of the year, the FWC says. Harvest is open August. 1 until Jan. 1 in state and federal Gulf waters.

To fish from a private boat for specific reef fish, including gray triggerfish, you must sign up for State Reef Fish Angler Designation. Click for more info on gray triggerfish regulations.

Bow to the King: Tarpon in Islamorada

Florida Sportsman publisher Michael Cassidy had a tarpon trip to remember in early July with Islamorada guide Mark Gilman. Cassidy was fishing with live pilchards for some high-flying action a week before the recent ICAST fishing trade show in Orlando. Check out our coverage of the show. His biggest catch and release was a 70-pounder.

Bear Hunting on FWC Meets Agenda

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is scheduled to meet Aug. 13-14 at the Florida Public Safety Institute, Conference Center Building, 85 Academy Dr., Havana, Fla., 32333. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. both days, and the public is welcome. See the meeting agenda here.

Included on the agenda is a possible final vote on re-opening a regulated black bear hunting season in Florida for the first time in 10 years. Read more about the issue here.

Spiny Lobster Update

After a two-day recreational sport season, the 2025 regular season (commercial and recreational lobster harvest) begins Aug. 6 and runs through March 31, 2026.

Learn more about lobster bag and size limits and other regs here. If you plan to lobster in the Keys, another great resource is the Monroe County Tourist Development Council website.

Gag Grouper Coming Soon

The 2025 recreational gag grouper season opens Sept. 1 in Gulf state waters. The season will close at 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 15. More from an FWC news release:

"The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an executive order to modify the recreational season of gag grouper in Gulf state waters, excluding all state waters off Monroe County. The 2025 Gulf gag grouper recreational season was set to prevent overfishing following the quota overage that occurred in 2024 and to be consistent with the season recently announced in adjacent federal waters."

Gag grouper anglers are required to sign up for State Reef Fish Angler Designation, and may be selected to participate in the State Reef Fish Survey, which compiles data used for fishing management.

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