No person is permitted to operate a vessel wherein a fee is paid, directly or indirectly, for attempting to take or possessing any saltwater fish for non-commercial purposes unless they have obtained a Charter Captain License. When a license is issued to a licensed captain, the license may be used by the licensee to charter and operate any commercially registered vessel for the number of paying customers allowed on the license.

Customers are not required to purchase a saltwater fishing license in their individual name when fishing from a vessel where a Charter Captain license has been issued to the captain of the vessel as long as the number of paying individuals does not exceed the number of individuals covered under the license. When a snook and/or lobster permit has been issued in conjunction with a Charter Captain License, the number of individuals covered under the snook and/or lobster permit would be the same number of individuals covered under the Charter Captain license.

Operation of a for-hire vessel in federal waters (outside of 9 nautical miles on the Gulf and 3 miles on the Atlantic) may require a federal charter/headboat permit when fishing for certain specifies. For additional information on these types of permits, call the National Marine Fisheries Management Service at 1-727-824-5326.

Prior to the issuance of a Charter Captain License, the applicant must provide proof of eligibility by presenting their Current Coast Guard License which authorizes them to operate or navigate a passenger carrying vessel.

For information pertaining to a Coast Guard Captain's license, call 1-800-982-9374.

NOTE: At the discretion of the county tax collector, the customer may be required to provide a paid copy of their Local Business Tax Receipt prior to the issuance of the license.

License Types

• 4 or less customers
• 10 or less customers
• 11 or more customers

Additional License Information

Annual - begin date is date of purchase; valid for 12 consecutive months