NC_ATLANTIC
North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF
Currently OPENOpen year-round
- Bag limit
- 10 / angler / day
- Vessel limit
- 54 total / vessel / day
10/angler/day, 54/vessel.
NC DMF.
pelagic
Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin)
Coryphaena hippurus
Bait-runners on temperature breaks and weedlines. Look for clean blue water just inside SST gradient fronts.
Preferred water temp72–84°F
Preferred depth50–300 ft
Peak monthsApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Holds onweedlines, current edges, floating debris, frigate birds
In our regions
Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — 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 27, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.
Showing 2 of 12 regulations for North Carolina
FEDERAL
Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC
Currently OPENOpen year-round
- Bag limit
- 10 / angler / day
- Vessel limit
- 54 total / vessel / day
- Minimum
- 20″ FL (fork length)
Federal South Atlantic: 10/angler, 54 fish/vessel maximum, 20" FL min.