Florida fishing regulations allow licensed anglers to keep one permit measuring over 20 inches in the daily bag. That may change. Recent reports of headboats slamming spawning stocks while fish are aggregated at spawning spots have the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission considering a daily vessel limit for the fish.

The proposal would limit all boats to two fish over 20 inches a day. The year-round rule would protect permit during spawning season, March to August, when large numbers gather at offshore wrecks and springs.

If approved, the rule will go into effect July 1, 2005. A final public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for February 2-4, when the FWC meets in Panama City.