pelagic

Atlantic Bonito

Sarda sarda

Distinct from little tunny. Cool-water pelagic; spring/fall surface-feeding fishery off NC/SC/GA/NE FL. Light-tackle target around inlets and nearshore. Less common but legitimately targeted in mid-Atlantic and northern SE Atlantic.

In our regions

Bahamas — Abaco & AndrosGeorgia CoastNortheast Florida — AtlanticBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaSouth Carolina CoastCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 31, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 12 of 12 regulations

LA_GULF

Louisiana — State waters (0–3 nm) · LDWF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

LA: no state size or bag.

Unregulated in LA.

MS_GULF

Mississippi — State waters (0–3 nm) · MS DMR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

MS: no state size or bag.

Unregulated in MS.

AL_GULF

Alabama — State waters (0–3 nm) · AL CNR-MRD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

AL: no state size or bag.

Unregulated in AL.

NC_ATLANTIC

North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

NC: no state size or bag.

Unregulated in NC.

GA_ATLANTIC

Georgia — State waters (0–3 nm) · GA DNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

GA: no state size or bag.

Unregulated in GA.

BAHAMAS

Bahamas — Department of Marine Resources

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bahamas vessel-aggregate (6 game fish / 60 lbs / 20 demersal) applies.

Bahamas permit required.

FEDERAL

Federal Gulf (9–200 nm) — GMFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Atlantic bonito is NOT managed under HMS.

Unregulated federally.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 2 / angler / day
Vessel limit: 10 total / vessel / day

FL: 2/person OR 10/vessel, whichever is greater. No size. No HMS permit required.

Not federally managed under HMS.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 2 / angler / day
Vessel limit: 10 total / vessel / day

FL: 2/person OR 10/vessel, whichever is greater. No size. No HMS permit required.

Not federally managed under HMS.

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Atlantic bonito is NOT managed under HMS — state limits apply at landing.

Unregulated federally.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

TX: no state size or bag.

Unregulated in TX.

SC_ATLANTIC

South Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · SCDNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

SC: no state size or bag.

Unregulated in SC.