I miss trolling off Juno/Jupiter
No MFS permit is required if the fish is caught within 3 miles of shore in the Atlantic, or within 9 miles of shore in the Gulf. Anything east of Sombrero in the Keys is considered Atlantic, BTW. (Or at least it used be).
The MFS is only $16 per vessel per year. No angler specific MFS stamps or permits are required in Florida, but state bag limit is one per angler per day or in possession; National bag limit is 3 per vessel per day, and both apply.
FTR, I haven't seen or heard of a billfish being taken within 9 miles of the Gulf coast anywhere between St. George Island/Appalachicola and Crystal River in 5 or 6 years. Saw a very small white Marlin (4 - 5 lbs.) taken and released 2 miles off Homasassa 2 or 3 years ago, but that's it.
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Common Sense is learning from your mistakes. Wisdom is learning from the other guy's mistakes.
Fr. Frank says:
Jesus liked fishing, too. He even walked on water to get to the boat!
Currently without a SeaCraft
(2) Pompano 12' fishing kayaks
'73 Cobia 18' prototype "Casting Skiff", 70hp Mercury