FEDERAL
Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC
Currently OPENOpen year-round
- Bag limit
- 1 / angler / day
- Minimum
- 47″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)
HMS Federal: 47" LJFL min. Private rec: 1/person/trip, max 4/vessel/trip. HMS Angling permit required.
billfish
Broadbill Swordfish
Xiphias gladius
Where subsurface data really matters. Drop to the deep scattering layer, mind the thermocline.
Preferred water temp55–70°F
Preferred depth1200–1800 ft
Holds ondeep scattering layer, bottom relief
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 11 regulations for North Carolina
NC_ATLANTIC
North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF
Currently OPENOpen year-round
- Bag limit
- 1 / angler / day
- Vessel limit
- 4 total / vessel / day
- Minimum
- 47″ LJFL (lower jaw to fork)
HMS permit.
NC swordfish: 47" LJFL.