NC_ATLANTIC
North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF
Currently OPENOpen year-round
- Bag limit
- 15 / angler / day
- Minimum
- 12″ FL (fork length)
15/person/day, 12" FL min.
NC DMF.
nearshore
Spanish Mackerel
Scomberomorus maculatus
Spring + fall blitz species. Trolled spoons, gotcha plugs, small live baits. Birds working = fish underneath.
Preferred water temp65–78°F
Preferred depth5–60 ft
Peak monthsMar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Holds onbait pods, nearshore reefs, beaches, passes
In our regions
Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — GulfNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas GulfBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaBahamas — Abaco & Andros
Regulations
⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 26, 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
- 15 / angler / day
- Minimum
- 12″ FL (fork length)
Federal South Atlantic: 15/angler/day, 12" FL min.