nearshore

Bluefish

Pomatomus saltatrix

Chopper bait-blitzes off the beach + inlets. Wire leader or sacrifice a few lures — they cut anything. Fall + spring migrations along NC/SC/GA/FL Atlantic.

Preferred water temp55–78°F

Preferred depth5–150 ft

Holds onbeach, inlets, nearshore reefs

In our regions

Georgia CoastNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)Northeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouth Carolina CoastAlabama GulfCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticTexas GulfFlorida Panhandle — Gulf

Regulations

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

Showing 7 of 7 regulations

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ FL (fork length)

3/person/day, 12" FL min.

FWC.

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day

3/angler/day rec (5/angler on for-hire vessels). No size limit federally; states may set their own.

ASMFC + NOAA HMS-adjacent management.

GA_ATLANTIC

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day

3/angler/day rec. No state size limit.

Georgia DNR (ASMFC framework).

NC_ATLANTIC

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day

3/angler/day rec, 5/angler on for-hire. No state size limit.

NC DMF.

AL_GULF

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

No specific AL bag limit (general saltwater regs).

Alabama CNR-MRD.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ FL (fork length)

Includes Monroe County.

FL Gulf bluefish: 10/day, 12" FL.

SC_ATLANTIC

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 3 / angler / day

3/angler/day rec.

SC DNR.