Florida Blue Crab Regulations

jack1747 · March 07, 2005, 11:10:33 AM

http://myfwc.com/RulesandRegs/Saltwater_Regulations_recbluecrab.htm

https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=68B-45

DocSmith · March 07, 2005, 12:11:28 PM

Hey! You beat me to it!

Doc

Bucket · January 22, 2010, 10:57:24 PM

Copy and paste this www website (I can't link for being a newb)
flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=68B-45

wildturkey101 · January 22, 2010, 11:23:11 PM

Quote from: Bucket on January 22, 2010, 10:57:24 PM
Copy and paste this www website (I can't link for being a newb)
flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=68B-45

Here's the link.
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=68B-45

jack1747 · January 23, 2010, 09:11:13 AM

Thanks for the updated link. Fixed the first post.

R D · January 23, 2010, 02:56:56 PM

Here is a much better link.

http://myfwc.com/RulesandRegs/Saltwater_Regulations_recbluecrab.htm

jack1747 · January 23, 2010, 03:22:11 PM

OK thanks. Both are in the first post....

wevegotcrabs · August 13, 2017, 04:53:32 PM

Hi I went to the link stated and got an error page. Can anyone tell me what are the blue crab size regulations here in Florida. As a retailer of blue crabs what is the smallest size I can have? Is there a limit to the number of small crabs I can have on hand?

Thank you!

backfin_blues · April 22, 2022, 10:50:10 AM

Updated for 2022 - please note beginning May 2023, all traps must have turtle bycatch reduction devices to help stabilize diamondback terrapin declines

https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/blue-crab/

jwilson1016 · June 17, 2024, 11:48:49 PM

Just got my first recreational trap in FL. Have to attach the Bycatch reduction device (BRD). My question is, has anyone noticed a reduction in blue crabs entering trap because of restricted throat size?

SHELLFISH · August 31, 2024, 08:52:46 AM

I was just asked if a six inch round float is required to be attached to a ring net if fished from a boat?
My reply follows and I thought might be helpful to others!

Interesting question but not easy to answer! Florida law is ambiguous at best and not easy to define!
To the best of my knowledge: Florida law requires. a round six inch float attached to any commercial style crab trap.
Additionally the owners name, contact information and crabber number must be attached to the trap supposedly so if the trap is lost and turns into a ghost trap and later recovered it can be returned to the owner. Additionally the float must have a large "R" on it if you are a recreational crabber.
To answer your question: I crab off piers, docks or land and not from a boat.
The ring nets are not a trap and will catch nothing if lost. They are not a threat to wildlife if lost.
If ring nets are fished from a boat are they required to have a six inch float attached?
Are they also required to have the owners contact info and crabber number attached?
I don't know! I have some topless topless crab traps, really considered a net, I plan to use from a boat but haven't yet!.
These have a 4 inch float attached to them. I am not going to change them to a six inch ball float.
I hope and believe that if you are on scene monitoring your nets a state agent will let a lot of these laws slide.
I certainly hope so! I have been checked by agents off a dock or on land and they have only asked me to raise my net
so they can be sure its a net and not a trap!
Be sure to get your state carabber number on line from MYFLA.com; its free! I just keep this number in my wallet.
I hope this answers some of your questions! Please post your reports! Jim AKA SHELLFISH