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 2 of 12 regulations for FL Atlantic

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.