SouthStar Charters

North Atlantic Fish Species & Seasons

The fish we target off the New York and New Jersey coast — and a month-by-month look at when each is in season across federal, interstate, and state waters.

Important — verify before you fish.

Fishing seasons, size limits, and bag limits vary by species and by federal, interstate, and state jurisdiction, change frequently, and are subject to NOAA Fisheries, ASMFC, and NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife regulation. Always confirm current regulations with the governing authority before fishing.

Inshore species show 2026 New Jersey recreational rules (NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife). Offshore species show NOAA / SAFMC values marked “Unverified — confirm with NOAA” pending owner confirmation. Always confirm with the governing authority before fishing.

The same fish can be open in one jurisdiction and closed in another, so each species lists its season separately by authority: Federal (NOAA Fisheries, 3–200 nmi), Interstate (ASMFC migratory species), and State(NJ Fish & Wildlife, 0–3 nmi). Highly Migratory Species such as tuna and sharks also require a NOAA HMS permit.

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

inshore waters
Interstate (ASMFC (migratory))
In season now
Open window
01-01 → 12-31
Min. size
28 in
Bag limit
1
Notes
Slot 28–31 in (1 fish), ASMFC rule as implemented by NJ. Harvest is prohibited in federal waters (>3 mi).
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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
State (NJ Fish & Wildlife (0–3 nmi))
In season now
Open window
01-01 → 12-31
Min. size
28 in
Bag limit
1
Notes
Slot 28–31 in (1 fish), NJ ocean waters 0–3 mi, no closed season. See the NJ Marine Digest for the Bonus Program, circle-hook and gaff rules.
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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Why the limit matters

“The stock is overfished, but the fishing rate established under a rebuilding plan promotes population growth.” — NOAA Fisheries

Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) — species illustration courtesy of NOAA Fisheries
Courtesy: NOAA Fisheries

Summer Flounder (Fluke)

Paralichthys dentatus

both waters
Federal (NOAA Fisheries (3–200 nmi))
In season now
Open window
05-04 → 09-25
Min. size
18 in
Bag limit
3
Notes
Follows the NJ-implemented recreational measures in federal waters.
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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
State (NJ Fish & Wildlife (0–3 nmi))
In season now
Open window
05-04 → 09-25
Min. size
18 in
Bag limit
3
Notes
NJ ocean rule. Special areas differ: Delaware Bay 3 @ 17 in; Island Beach State Park 2 @ 16 in.
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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Why the limit matters

“The stock is not overfished and is not subject to overfishing.” — NOAA Fisheries

Summer Flounder (Fluke) (Paralichthys dentatus) — species illustration courtesy of NOAA Fisheries
Courtesy: NOAA Fisheries

Bluefish

Pomatomus saltatrix

both waters
Interstate (ASMFC (migratory))
In season now
Open window
01-01 → 12-31
Min. size
—
Bag limit
7
Notes
7 fish on a for-hire vessel; 5 for private/shore anglers. No minimum size.
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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Why the limit matters

“The stock is not overfished and is not subject to overfishing.” — NOAA Fisheries

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) — species illustration courtesy of NOAA Fisheries
Courtesy: NOAA Fisheries/Jack Hornady

Weakfish

Cynoscion regalis

inshore waters
Interstate (ASMFC (migratory))
In season now
Open window
01-01 → 12-31
Min. size
13 in
Bag limit
1
Notes
ASMFC rule as implemented by NJ.
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
State (NJ Fish & Wildlife (0–3 nmi))
In season now
Open window
01-01 → 12-31
Min. size
13 in
Bag limit
1
Notes
—
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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

False Albacore (Little Tunny)

Euthynnus alletteratus

inshore waters
State (NJ Fish & Wildlife (0–3 nmi))
In season now
Open window
01-01 → 12-31
Min. size
—
Bag limit
—
Notes
No NJ size or possession limit (not listed in the NJ recreational summary).
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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Atlantic Bonito

Sarda sarda

inshore waters
State (NJ Fish & Wildlife (0–3 nmi))
In season now
Open window
01-01 → 12-31
Min. size
—
Bag limit
—
Notes
No NJ size or possession limit (not listed in the NJ recreational summary).
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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus thynnus

offshore watersNOAA HMS permit requiredUnverified — confirm with NOAA
Federal (NOAA Fisheries (3–200 nmi))
In season now
Open window
01-01 → 12-31
Min. size
27 in
Bag limit
Category system: 2/vessel/day (27–<73 in); trophy 73 in+ is 1/vessel/year with area closures. Limits change in-season — confirm with NOAA.
Notes
NOAA HMS Angling permit required.
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F
M
A
M
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J
A
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O
N
D

Why the limit matters

“Western Atlantic bluefin tuna is not subject to overfishing; its overfished status is unknown. It is managed under a rebuilding plan.” — NOAA Fisheries

Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) — species illustration courtesy of NOAA Fisheries
Courtesy: NOAA Fisheries/Jack Hornady

Yellowfin Tuna

Thunnus albacares

offshore watersNOAA HMS permit requiredUnverified — confirm with NOAA
Federal (NOAA Fisheries (3–200 nmi))
In season now
Open window
01-01 → 12-31
Min. size
27 in
Bag limit
3
Notes
27 in curved fork length. NOAA HMS Angling permit required.
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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Why the limit matters

“The stock is not overfished and is not subject to overfishing.” — NOAA Fisheries

Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) — species illustration courtesy of NOAA Fisheries
Courtesy: NOAA Fisheries/Jack Hornady

Big-Eye Tuna

Thunnus obesus

offshore watersNOAA HMS permit requiredUnverified — confirm with NOAA
Federal (NOAA Fisheries (3–200 nmi))
In season now
Open window
01-01 → 12-31
Min. size
27 in
Bag limit
No federal retention limit
Notes
27 in curved fork length. NOAA HMS Angling permit required.
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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Why the limit matters

“The stock is overfished, but the fishing rate established under a conservation and management plan promotes population growth.” — NOAA Fisheries

Big-Eye Tuna (Thunnus obesus) — species illustration courtesy of NOAA Fisheries
Courtesy: NOAA Fisheries/Jack Hornady

Longfin Tuna (Albacore)

Thunnus alalunga

offshore watersNOAA HMS permit requiredUnverified — confirm with NOAA
Federal (NOAA Fisheries (3–200 nmi))
In season now
Open window
01-01 → 12-31
Min. size
—
Bag limit
No minimum size or federal retention limit
Notes
NOAA HMS Angling permit required.
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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Why the limit matters

“North Atlantic albacore is not overfished and not subject to overfishing.” — NOAA Fisheries

Longfin Tuna (Albacore) (Thunnus alalunga) — species illustration courtesy of NOAA Fisheries
Courtesy: NOAA Fisheries/Jack Hornady

Mahi (Dolphinfish)

Coryphaena hippurus

offshore watersUnverified — confirm with NOAA
Federal (NOAA Fisheries (3–200 nmi))
In season now
Open window
01-01 → 12-31
Min. size
—
Bag limit
10 (60/vessel max; no Mid-Atlantic minimum size (20 in fork length applies only off GA/FL).)
Notes
U.S. Atlantic Dolphin & Wahoo FMP (SAFMC). Not an HMS permit species.
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F
M
A
M
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A
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O
N
D

Why the limit matters

“The population level is unknown, but management measures are in place.” — NOAA Fisheries

Mahi (Dolphinfish) (Coryphaena hippurus) — species illustration courtesy of NOAA Fisheries
Courtesy: NOAA Fisheries

Wahoo

Acanthocybium solandri

offshore watersUnverified — confirm with NOAA
Federal (NOAA Fisheries (3–200 nmi))
In season now
Open window
01-01 → 12-31
Min. size
—
Bag limit
2 (No minimum size; must be landed with head and fins intact.)
Notes
U.S. Atlantic Dolphin & Wahoo FMP (SAFMC). Not an HMS permit species.
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F
M
A
M
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J
A
S
O
N
D

Why the limit matters

“The stock has not been assessed; population levels are unknown, but management measures are in place.” — NOAA Fisheries

Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) — species illustration courtesy of NOAA Fisheries
Courtesy: NOAA Fisheries

Marlin (Billfish)

Istiophoridae spp.

offshore watersNOAA HMS permit requiredUnverified — confirm with NOAA
Federal (NOAA Fisheries (3–200 nmi))
In season now
Open window
01-01 → 12-31
Min. size
99 in
Bag limit
No individual limit; 250/year U.S. national landings quota (blue + white marlin + roundscale spearfish combined).
Notes
Blue marlin 99 in / white marlin 66 in lower-jaw fork length. NOAA HMS permit; catch-and-release encouraged.
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F
M
A
M
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J
A
S
O
N
D

Swordfish

Xiphias gladius

offshore watersNOAA HMS permit requiredUnverified — confirm with NOAA
Federal (NOAA Fisheries (3–200 nmi))
In season now
Open window
01-01 → 12-31
Min. size
47 in
Bag limit
1 (up to 4/vessel/trip)
Notes
47 in lower-jaw fork length (or 25 in cleithrum to keel). NOAA HMS permit required.
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F
M
A
M
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J
A
S
O
N
D

Why the limit matters

“The stock is not overfished and is not subject to overfishing.” — NOAA Fisheries

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) — species illustration courtesy of NOAA Fisheries
Courtesy: NOAA Fisheries/Jack Hornady

Licensed, Legal & Safe to Operate

Fishing seasons are set by NOAA, ASMFC, and the states — but whether a charter is legal to run is governed by the U.S. Coast Guard. Here is how we keep your trip compliant and safe.

USCG-Licensed Captain

Unverified

PLACEHOLDER — confirm the captain's actual U.S. Coast Guard credential (e.g. OUPV “six-pack” or Master license) and license number before publishing.

Inspected, Equipped Vessel

Unverified

PLACEHOLDER — confirm safety equipment, documented vessel status, and any inspection details for the actual boat before publishing.

Passenger Limits

Unverified

PLACEHOLDER — confirm the legal maximum number of passengers for the vessel and license class before publishing.

Ready to Get on the Fish?

Book a North Atlantic fishing charter with SouthStar Charters and let our licensed captain put you on the bite.

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