Swordfish Regulations in Florida (2026)

Recreational swordfish rules in Florida saltwater, as published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Last checked November 7, 2026.

Size limit

Minimum Size Limit: 47" lower jaw/fork length; 25" cleithrum to keel

Bag limit

1 per person

Season

Season: Open year-round

Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date

Recreational Swordfish rules in Florida

Where: Statewide
Size limit: Minimum Size Limit: 47" lower jaw/fork length; 25" cleithrum to keel
Bag limit: Daily Bag Limit: 1 per person not to exceed a maximum of 4 per recreational (not for-hire) vessel or 15 per for-hire vessel. Charter boats limited to 6 per vessel. Regardless of the length of the trip, no more than the daily limit may be possessed on board a vessel.
Season: Season: Open year-round

Federal HMS Angling Permit required in federal waters. This permit is not required for anglers fishing for billfish, swordfish or sharks in state waters.
Additional information: Hook and line only. Zero daily bag and possession limit for captain and crew of for-hire vessels. Swordfish damaged by shark bites may be retained only if the remainder of the carcass is at least 47" lower jaw fork length or 25 inches cleithrum to keel.

Official source

Commercial rules

Show 1 commercial rule

Where: Statewide
Size limit: Size limit: 47 inches lower jaw fork length with head attached or 25 inches cleithrum to keel length if head removed, or 33 pounds dressed. Learn more about measuring.; Size limits apply to fish damaged by shark bites. Lower jaw FL = a straight-line measurement from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the caudal fin. Cleithrum to keel length = a curved measurement from the point of the cleithrum that provides the measurement along the body contour to the anterior portion of the caudal keel. The cleithrum is the semicircular bony structure at the posterior edge of the gill opening. A dressed fish may have its head, viscera, and fins removed, but its backbone and remaining carcass must remain intact and not be halved, quartered or otherwise further reduced.

SPL, RS and federal highly migratory species permit
For more, visit 68B-58 or NOAA HMS

Official source

Quick answers

What is the swordfish size limit in Florida?

Minimum Size Limit: 47" lower jaw/fork length; 25" cleithrum to keel.

How many swordfish can I keep in Florida?

Daily Bag Limit: 1 per person not to exceed a maximum of 4 per recreational (not for-hire) vessel or 15 per for-hire vessel. Charter boats limited to 6 per vessel. Regardless of the length of the trip, no more than the daily limit may be possessed on board a vessel..

When is swordfish season in Florida?

Season: Open year-round. Whether it is open on a specific day can change by emergency rule — check today's status in the app.

Compare Swordfish limits in other states →

More offshore & pelagic in Florida

All Florida saltwater fishing regulations →

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Most anglers need a Florida saltwater license or registry: get one here.