NC_ATLANTIC
North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF
Currently OPENOpen year-round
- Bag limit
- 2 / angler / day
- Minimum
- 18″ TL (total length)
2/person/day, 18" TL min.
NC DMF.
nearshore
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis
Sight-fishing on floating structure. Live shrimp or small jigs pitched within a few feet — they sulk on the surface looking lazy until the strike.
Preferred water temp65–85°F
Preferred depth5–100 ft
Peak monthsMay, Jun, Jul, Aug
Holds onchannel markers, buoys, crab trap floats, sargassum lines
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 Gulf
Regulations
⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 26, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.
Showing 1 of 10 regulations for North Carolina