reef

Gray Triggerfish

Balistes capriscus

Reef + wreck specialist. Small hooks (their mouth is tiny + sharp), shrimp or squid bait. Federally regulated in Atlantic + Gulf with strict seasons + size minimums.

Preferred water temp65–82°F

Preferred depth50–300 ft

Holds onreefs, wrecks, rubble

In our regions

Texas GulfMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideFlorida Panhandle — GulfBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaSouth Carolina CoastAlabama GulfLouisiana GulfCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticBig Bend — GulfSouthwest Florida — GulfGeorgia CoastNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)Mississippi GulfNortheast Florida — Atlantic

Regulations

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

Showing 2 of 11 regulations for North Carolina

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Currently CLOSED (seasonal)Seasonal

Bag limit: 1 / angler / day
Minimum: 14″ FL (fork length)

Federal SE Atlantic: 1/angler, 14" FL min. Season open Jan-Apr + late summer (verify annual notice).

SAFMC.

NC_ATLANTIC

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

Currently OPENOpen year-round

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

NC triggerfish: per SAFMC.