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Golden Tilefish

Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps

Lives in self-dug burrows on soft bottom along the shelf edge. Cold water (50-60°F at depth) — the 10°C isotherm tells you the floor temp. Long drops, big sinkers, electric reels.

Preferred water temp50–62°F

Preferred depth400–1500 ft

Holds onsoft mud bottom with burrows, continental shelf break

In our regions

Big Bend — GulfNortheast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaBahamas — Abaco & AndrosBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas Gulf

Regulations

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

Showing 1 of 6 regulations for Georgia

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Currently OPENSeasonal

Bag limit

1 / angler / day

Minimum

24″ TL (total length)

Season

Jan 1, 2026 → Sep 30, 2026Recreational season; closes when ACL hit

Federal Atlantic ACL-based season — closes early when quota is met. 1/person, 24" TL min. Most FL anglers fish this in federal water; state-water golden tilefish are rare.