Verified against Florida Administrative Code 68B-45 and FWC guidance, September 2026. Rules change. Confirm with FWC before you set gear. This page is a reference, not legal advice.
Escape rings: three at 2-3/8"
Every blue crab trap in Florida must have at least three escape rings of 2-3/8" or larger inside diameter, one on a vertical outer surface adjacent to each chamber. Florida runs the 2-3/8" ring, same as Georgia, South Carolina and the rest of the Gulf except Alabama. The 2-5/16" ring used in Maryland and North Carolina is undersized here.
Degradable panel
The trap must have a degradable panel larger than 3" by 6". Acceptable materials: untreated jute twine; non-coated steel wire of 24 gauge or thinner; untreated pine dowel no larger than 2" long by 3/8" diameter; or untreated pine slats no thicker than 3/8".
Bycatch reduction devices (recreational, since March 1, 2023)
Recreational traps must either have rigid funnel openings no larger than 2" by 6" at the narrowest point, or have a 2" by 6" BRD installed in each throat. This keeps diamondback terrapins out.
Trap construction and marking
- Maximum 2 ft by 2 ft by 2 ft, or 8 cubic feet
- Harvester name and address permanently affixed to the trap and legible
- FWC-issued trap registration number permanently affixed (free annual registration, required at 16 and older)
- Recreational buoy at least 6", marked with a legible "R" at least 2" tall
- Commercial buoys marked with the blue crab endorsement number at least 2" tall
Sizes and limits
| Recreational | Commercial | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum size | None | 5" (68B-45.003) |
| Daily limit | 10 gallons whole crabs per person | Endorsement-dependent |
| Traps | Up to 5 per person | Endorsement-dependent |
| Egg-bearing females | Prohibited | Prohibited |
Undersized crabs may be taken by dip net or as live-bait shrimp trawl bycatch up to 10 gallons, kept alive, and sold only as live bait.
Regional trap closures
FWC closes six regions to trap harvest for up to 10 days on a rotating schedule so derelict traps can be identified and removed. East coast closures fall in even-numbered years, west coast in odd. Dip nets and other non-trap gear remain legal during closures. Check FWC for the current year's dates before you set.
Commercial endorsement
Selling blue crab or possessing more than the recreational limit requires a saltwater products license, restricted species endorsement, and a Blue Crab Effort Management endorsement. FWC stopped issuing new endorsements after 2007/2008; they transfer only from existing holders.
Sources
Gear for Florida traps
- Door hooks: FlatStack, 4-1/4" overall, 3-1/2" center to center, fits a standard 2x2x2 trap door. Bulk boxes from 100 to 10,000.
- Escape rings: Florida requires 2-3/8". Our 2-5/16" ring is not legal here; we don't cut 2-3/8" yet. Tell us how many traps you fish.
- Cull stick: Florida commercial is a 5" measure. Machined aluminum, held to .005"; call for the 5" cut.