WEAKFISH 68B-47.001 Definitions.-- As used in this chapter: (1) "Harvest" means the catching or taking of a fish by any means whatsoever, followed by a reduction of such fish to possession. Fish that are caught but immediately returned to the water free, alive, and unharmed are not harvested. In addition, temporary possession of a fish for the purpose of measuring it to determine compliance with the minimum size requirements of this chapter shall not constitute harvesting such fish, provided that it is measured immediately after taking, and immediately returned to the water free, alive, and unharmed if undersize. (2) "Land," when used in connection with the harvest of a fish, means the physical act of bringing the harvested fish ashore. (3) "Spearing" means the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body. Spearing does not include the catching or taking of a fish by a hook with hook and line gear, or by snagging (snatch hooking). (4) "Total length" means the length of a fish as measured from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail. (5) "Weakfish," also known as gray seatrout or yellow-mouth trout, means any fish of the species Cynoscion regalis, or any part thereof. Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History - New 7-17-95. Amended 1-1-98, Formerly 46-47.001. 68B-47.002 Size Limits. -- (1) No person shall harvest, within or without the waters of the state, possess, or land any weakfish with a total length less than 12 inches. (2) No person shall purchase, sell, or exchange any weakfish with a total length less than 12 inches. (3) All weakfish shall be landed in whole condition. The possession, while in or on state waters, of weakfish that have been deheaded, sliced, divided, filleted, ground, skinned, scaled, or deboned is prohibited. Mere evisceration or "gutting" of weakfish, or mere removal of gills, before landing is not prohibited. Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History - New 7-17-95, Formerly 46-47.002. 68B-47.003 Bag Limits.-- Except for a person possessing a valid saltwater products license, no person shall harvest or land more than 4 weakfish per day, nor possess more than 4 weakfish at any time while in or on the waters of the state. Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History - New 7-17-95, Formerly 46-47.003. 68B-47.004 Gear Restriction. The harvest or attempted harvest of any weakfish in or from state waters by spearing is prohibited. Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History - New 1-1-98, Formerly 46-47.004.