Saltwater Regulations and More
COASTAL RECREATIONAL
FISHING DIGEST
FREE
NORTH CAROLINA 2016
Product of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality | Division of Marine Fisheries
How to Fish on an Artificial Reef
Pages 8 - 9
Seasons, Size and Creel Limits
Begin on page 12
License Information
Page 4
Cobia
The daily
recreational
bag limit
for cobia
dropped to one-fish-per-person in February.
Fishermen should also frequently check
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
proclamations for an announcement of a
cobia season closure.
Flounder
The flounder
season will close
Oct. 16-Dec. 31
for the recreational hook-and-line and gig
fisheries.
Good Reef!
It’s Fishing Time in Coastal North Carolina!
It’s a great new year for fishing on
the North Carolina coast, and the
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is
pleased to introduce the 2016 Coastal
Recreational Fishing Digest.
New to this year’s digest is an article on how
to fish on North Carolina’s artificial reefs.
An artificial reef is a manmade underwater
structure designed to serve many of the
habitat functions as a natural reef.
North Carolina has 42 ocean artificial reefs
and 20 estuarine reefs and oyster/fishing
sanctuaries. Coordinates and information
about the materials on these reefs can be
found at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
artificial-reefs-program.
As always, this digest contains information
on fishing license options, tips for ethical
angling, how to identify and measure fish,
and a regulations table.
Because marine fisheries regulations are
subject to change frequently, anglers should
check the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’
website at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
recreational-fishing-size-and-bag-limits for
the most up-to-date fishing regulations.
Notable regulatory changes this year include:
Sheepshead
A 10-inch fork length
size limit and 10-fish-per-
person daily bag
limit on sheepshead was
established in June 2015.
Coastal Angling Program
Occasionally, while you are fishing you may
be approached by someone from the N.C.
Division of Marine Fisheries who is carrying
a clipboard and wants to ask you some
questions.
This person is conducting an in-person
interview for the division’s Coastal Angling
Program, which includes recreational fishing
survey programs that gather statistics that are
used to help determine the health of fish
populations and what size and bag limits or
seasons are needed.
Division staff go out to boat ramps, to the
beach and piers to ask fishermen where they
fished, how long they fished and what fish
they targeted. They will ask to weigh and
measure the fish caught and ask what was
thrown back. They may also ask questions
about trip expenditures.
The division interviews roughly 20,000
anglers per year during both day and
nighttime hours, at public and private water
access sites.
In addition, the division sends written
questionnaires through the mail to Coastal
Recreational Fishing License holders
throughout the year. The questionnaires
ask for information such as where an angler
fished, how many fish they caught, and how
many fish they threw back. Anglers can
answer this survey by mail or online at
http://ncrecfish.com.
Anglers can also use this web-based tool
to record their individual fishing trips and
monitor their fishing success. Information
from the Coastal Angling Journal enables
the division to better characterize and assess
recreational fisheries.
Fish bones for science
Fishermen can help the N.C. Division of
Marine Fisheries collect scientific data on the
recreational fishery by donating their cleaned
fish to the Carcass Collection Program. The
program collects carcasses from many species.
When a fisherman cleans a fish, he should leave
the head and tail intact on the carcass, and then
take it to one of the division’s freezer locations.
Instructions on target species and how to
deposit the carcasses are posted on the freezer.
Those participating will be required to provide
their name and address. Anglers also will be
asked to give information related to when and
where the fish was caught. Rewards will be
given to anglers taking part in the program.
Division biologists will collect the carcasses,
measure the fish, determine the sex, if
possible, and remove the otoliths (ear bones)
to determine the fish’s age. The information
collected will be used for stock assessments at
the state and federal levels.
For more information, see http://portal.
ncdenr.org/web/mf/carcass-collection.
2 N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2016
What is ethical angling?
Ethical angling is a set of habits adopted by
conservation-minded fishermen that aims to
protect the well-being of one of North Carolina’s
most prized natural resources – its fisheries.
While regulations are in place to ensure that
fish populations can reproduce and sustain
the population, ethical anglers go beyond just
obeying size and bag limits. Ethical anglers
fish in a way that minimizes harm to the fish
and their environment.
Here are some easy ways to get started
on becoming an ethical angler, but more
information, including sample riggings,
videos on ethical technique and habitat
protection information, can be found at
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/edu/
ethical-angling.
Before you go
• Make sure you have a valid Coastal
Recreational Fishing License or are
covered under an exemption.
• Check the latest size and bag limits on
the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’
website, http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
recreational-fishing-size-and-bag-limits.
Size and bag limits can change frequently.
• Become familiar with the fish commonly
caught in North Carolina waters so that
you can properly apply size and bag limits
(see center poster of this digest).
• Stock your tackle box with a pair of
needle-nose pliers or a de-hooking device,
a tape measure and a glove or towel.
Tools of the ethical angler: needle nose pliers, de-hooking device and barbless hook. If possible, leave the fish in the water while using a de-hooking device to remove the hook.
• Use a de-hooking device or needle-nose
pliers to grip the hook and gently pull
the hook free. Do not twist the hook. If
necessary, cut the hook to remove it.
• If the hook has been swallowed, cut
the fishing line as close to the hook as
possible; the hook may dissolve in the
fish’s digestive system.
• Return the fish to the water as gently as
possible. If possible, slide the fish back
into the water, holding it near the surface,
allowing water to pass over its gills. When
the fish attempts to swim on its own, it
is ready to be let go. Tossing the fish back
into the water may harm it.
Protect the environment
• Never throw trash overboard. Take it to
shore and properly dispose of it.
• Never dump raw sewage overboard. Use
pump-out facilities and dump stations
to dispose of sewage. Dumping sewage
directly into the water is illegal and can
introduce disease into the water.
• Avoid spilling oil and gasoline into the
water or on land.
• Never harm marine mammals or birds
even if they try to steal your bait or catch.
• Attempt to retrieve all tackle and gear that
may get snagged or fall overboard.
• Use fish-cleaning stations and trash
receptacles. Excessive fish waste deposited
directly into marine basins can produce
foul odors and impair water quality.
• Report any pollution or environmental
damage to the appropriate authorities.
Get Hooked on Ethical Angling
While you fish
• Practice catch and release. Many released
fish survive to be caught another day.
• Use circle hooks to help prevent the fish
from swallowing the hook.
• Pinch the barb down on circle hooks and
J-hooks to make it easier to release the fish
without causing more damage.
• Match your gear size and strength to
your target species. Using proper gear
reduces the time that a fish is on the line,
improving a released fish’s survival odds.
• Use non-stainless steel hooks. If lost to the
environment or left inside a fish, they will
rust away.
• Do not fight a fish to exhaustion. Tighten
the drag and land it as quickly as possible.
• Do not discard a previously caught legal
fish for a larger fish to remain within the
bag limit. This is a waste of fish.
To release your catch
• If possible, leave the fish in the water while
removing the hook. If you must remove
the fish from the water, use a rubber dip
net to lift the fish.
• Keep the fish out of the water for as little
time as possible. If taking a picture, have
your camera ready to shoot before the fish
is landed so that you can return the catch
to the water with minimal stress.
• Handle the fish as little as possible. When
you must handle the fish, be gentle, but
still grip it firmly enough to prevent it
from thrashing around. Never touch a
fish’s gills.
N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2016 3
Coastal Recreational
Fishing License
* Out-of-state students attending a university, college, or community college in North Carolina are considered residents.
Members of the military stationed in North Carolina and their dependents are considered residents.
** Residents born on or before Aug. 1, 1953 are eligible to purchase a senior lifetime license when they turn 65 years of age.
Those born after Aug. 1, 1953 are eligible to purchase a senior lifetime license when they turn 70 years of age.
North Carolina requires people 16 or older to hold a Coastal Recreational Fishing License to fish
in coastal waters of the state. A variety of license options are available and they can be purchased
at many tackle shops, at N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and N.C. Wildlife Resources
Commission offices and online at http://www.ncwildlife.org. A $2 transaction fee will be added
to the price of all licenses.
Revenues from license sales are used to manage, protect, restore, develop, cultivate, conserve and
enhance North Carolina’s marine resources.
Annual Coastal Recreational
Fishing Licenses
State Residents* — $15
Nonresidents — $30
10-day Coastal Recreational
Fishing Licenses
State Residents* — $5
Nonresidents, ages 16 or older — $10
Blocks of Ten 10-day — $150
Lifetime Coastal Recreational
Fishing Licenses
Infant: younger than one year — $100
Youth: ages 1-11 — $150
Resident Adult*: ages 12-senior** —
$250
Nonresident Adult: ages 12 and older —
$500
Resident Senior* **— $15
Resident Disabled Veteran*: 50 percent or
more disabled — $10
Resident Totally Disabled*: totally and
permanently disabled — $10
Annual Unified Inland/Coastal
Recreational Fishing License
Resident* — $40
Annual Unified Sportsman/
Coastal Recreational Fishing
Licenses
Resident* — $65
Lifetime Unified Sportsman/
Coastal Recreational Fishing
Licenses
Infant: younger than one year — $275
Youth: ages 1-11 — $450
Resident Adult*: ages 12-senior** — $675
Nonresident Adult: ages 12 and older —
$1550
Resident Senior* ** — $30
Resident Disabled Veteran* — 50 percent or
more disabled — $110
Resident Totally Disabled*: Totally and
permanently disabled — $110
Lifetime Unified Inland/Coastal
Recreational Fishing License
Resident Legally Blind — No charge
Resident Adult Care Home — No charge
Exemptions
• N.C. residents serving on full-time active
duty in the military or reserves outside
of the state are exempt from license
requirements while on leave for fewer than
30 days.
• Those who held a Wildlife Resources
Commission Lifetime Sportsman License
or Lifetime Comprehensive Fishing
License prior to Jan. 1, 2006 are exempt
from Coastal Recreational Fishing License
requirements.
• No license is required to fish on July 4 or
for children, ages 0-15.
• Annual Resident Subsistence Waivers
are available at no charge for qualified
individuals through their county
Department of Social Services.
Recreational
Commercial
Gear License
Recreational fishermen who
want to use a gill net or other
commercial gear in N.C. coastal
waters need to purchase a
Recreational Commercial Gear
License.
The license costs $70 per
year for residents and $500
per year for nonresidents. It is
available at N.C. Division of
Marine Fisheries’ offices and at
many bait and tackle shops.
The license authorizes the holder to
use limited amounts of commercial
gear to harvest seafood for personal
consumption.
Seafood harvested under this license
cannot be sold and the license
holder must adhere to recreational
size and possession limits, as well as
other gear restrictions.
You will need this license if you
want to use:
• Seine net (30 to 100 feet)
• Shrimp trawl (skimmer or otter)
• Eel, fish, shrimp or crab pots*
• Trotline
• Gill net
• Shrimp pound
• Electronic shocking devices to
catch catfish in certain areas of
the Cape Fear River
More information about the
license and its requirements can
be found on the N.C. Division
of Marine Fisheries’ website at
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/
mf/recreational-commercial-gear-license.
For restrictions on specific
gears, call 252-726-7021 or
800-682-2632.
* One crab pot per person may be attached
to the shore on privately owned land or to a
privately owned pier without a license.
4 N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2016
Tag: You’re It!
( A way to help fisheries biologists with their research)
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
Ever catch a tagged fish and wonder
what it’s all about? Why should you
report it?
There are several good reasons. For one, you
may be eligible for a reward. Another good
reason is you can help fisheries biologists col-lect
the information they need to understand
and assess fish populations.
If you turn in a red tag from a fish released by
the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, along
with all the required information, you will re-ceive
a $100 reward. The tags are marked on
one side: “$100 REWARD” with a unique
tag number. The other side gives the phone
number to call “NCDMF.”
If you turn in a yellow tag with all required
information you may choose from a hat, $5
or other rewards. The tags are marked with a
unique tag number and the phone number to
call “NCDMF.”
You will also receive a letter and personalized
certificate that states where and when the fish
was tagged, the number of days it was at large
and the distance between the original tagging
location and where the fish was recaptured.
In addition, all those who turn in tags will be
entered into an end-of-year cash drawing.
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’
researchers are tagging more than 15,000
striped bass, red drum, southern flounder and
spotted seatrout per year. The information
the division collects through returned tags
helps researchers answer some very important
questions, such as:
• What are the migration patterns of these
fish?
• What kinds of habitat do these fish use?
• What is the population structure of these
stocks?
• What is the fishing mortality rate?
If you’re fishing and you catch a tagged fish,
please cut off the tag and record the following:
1. Species
2. Tag number
3. Date
4. Location captured (water body and nearest
landmark or latitude/longitude)
5. Length (total or fork length)
6. Fate of the fish (kept, released alive, etc.)
7. Gear used for capture
Then report the information to
800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021.
Red tags must be cut off and returned to the
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries,
P.O. Box 769 Morehead City, N.C. 28557
to receive the $100 reward.
Helpful Hints
• Cut off the tag, do not pull it out.
• If you are releasing the fish, cut the tag as
close to the body of the fish as possible.
• Record the tag number in case you
misplace the tag before reporting it.
• If the tag has algae growth, do not scrape
the algae off. Scraping the algae can lead
to tag damage that inhibits the division
from recognizing what fish it came from. If
you come across algae growth on the tag,
either send the tag to the N.C. Division
of Marine Fisheries or let the tag soak in
soapy warm water until the algae comes
off.
• Be careful when handling fish you intend
to release. Handle it as little as possible,
using wet hands or wet gloves. Return the
fish to the water quickly to give the fish the
greatest chance of post-release survival.
• Be alert! Tags are designed to be as
unobtrusive as possible, so they don’t
change the fish’s behavior. That means
that you might not see one if you’re not
looking. Please report all tag and species
information to the N.C. Division of
Marine Fisheries.
• Some fish will have two tags, so check both
sides of the fish and report both tags.
Highly Migratory Species
Vessel owners or operators who recreationally
fish for regulated Atlantic tunas (bluefin,
yellowfin, bigeye, albacore and skipjack),
sharks, swordfish and billfish must obtain a
Highly Migratory Species Angling category
permit or a Highly Migratory Species
Charter/Headboat Permit from the National
Marine Fisheries Service. This requirement
applies even for those who fish exclusively
in state waters. Highly Migratory Species
Permits may be obtained online at https://
hmspermits.noaa.gov/ or by contacting the
Highly Migratory Species customer service
representative at 888-872-8862.
Those who land bluefin tuna, blue marlin,
white marlin, sailfish or swordfish in North
Carolina must participate in a state tagging
and reporting procedure that takes the place
of the National Marine Fisheries Service call-in
or website reporting process. Fishermen
must stop by one of the Highly Migratory
Species Reporting Stations on their way in
from fishing, fill out a catch card, and receive
a landing tag.
The landing tag must be affixed to the fish
before it is removed from the vessel. Captains
or operators from trailered vessels must affix
the landing tag before the vessel is removed
from the water.
North Carolina began this reporting program
in the mid-1990s, when recreational
fishermen started landing more bluefin tuna
in this state.
The number of bluefin tuna landed was so
small that the state was unable to estimate the
landings through its normal survey process.
The state modeled the reporting system after
those that wildlife agencies used for big game.
Later, as regulations on billfish became more
restrictive, the state added blue marlin, white
marlin, sailfish and swordfish to the program.
Last year, sharks were added to the program
on a voluntary basis.
More information on this reporting system,
including a list of reporting stations, can be
found on the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’
website at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf//
nmfs-highly-migratory-species-permits.
N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2016 5
How to Measure a Fish
Total Length (TL) – The length of a fish as measured from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail.
Fork Length (FL) – The length of a fish as measured from the tip of its snout to the fork of the tail.
Curved Fork Length (CFL) – The length of a fish as measured on a line tracing the contour of the body from the tip of
the upper jaw to the fork of the tail.
Lower Jaw Fork Length (LJFL) – The length of a fish as measured from the tip of its lower jaw to the fork of the tail.
Curved Fork Length
Spanish Mackerel
FFoorrkk LLeennggtthh
Speckled Trout
Length
(Pinch tail together
measuring)
Total Length
LoLwowere rJ Jaaww FFoorrkk LLeenngtghth
Protected Species
The Endangered Species Act prohibits the
take of endangered species, including sea
turtles and sturgeons. The Marine Mammal
Protection Act prohibits the take of marine
mammals.
Three species of sea turtles are prevalent in
North Carolina waters (loggerhead, Kemp’s
ridley and green) and two species (leatherback
and hawksbill) occur less frequently. Atlantic
and shortnose sturgeon are both found in
North Carolina waters, with Atlantic being
more common.
There are 36 species of marine mammals that
can inhabit North Carolina waters, including
bottlenose dolphin, several species of whales,
harbor porpoises, seals and manatees.
What to do if you catch a sea turtle: Slow
the boat and move towards the turtle. Once
the turtle is alongside the vessel, stop and
put the vessel in neutral. Do not use sharp
objects in direct contact with the turtle. If
you believe the sea turtle is gut hooked or
otherwise injured, contact the Sea Turtle
Stranding Network at 252-241-7367 or the
North Carolina Marine Patrol at 252-726-
7021. Otherwise, remove the hook with a de-hooking
device while the turtle remains in the
water. If the hook cannot be removed safely,
cut the line as close to the turtle as possible.
For more information, see the National
Marine Fisheries Service Southeastern
Regional Office website at http://www.sefsc.
noaa.gov/species/turtles/.
What to do if you catch a sea turtle while
fishing from a pier: Contact the Sea Turtle
Stranding Network at 252-241-7367 or the
North Carolina Marine Patrol at 252-726-
7021. While you wait for a response team,
keep your hands away from the turtle’s mouth
and flippers. Use a net or lift the turtle by the
shell to bring it onto the pier or land. Do not
lift the turtle by the hook or by pulling on the
line. If the turtle is too large to net or lift, try
to walk it to shore. When you have control of
the sea turtle, use blunt scissors or a knife to
cut the line, leaving at least two feet of line to
aid rescuers in dehooking. Leave the hook in
place because removing it could cause more
harm. Keep the turtle out of direct sunlight,
and cover the shell with a damp towel. If you
cannot reach a response team or are unable to
bring the turtle to shore, cut the line as short
as possible to release the turtle.
What to do if you catch a sturgeon: If
possible, remove the hook while the sturgeon
remains in the water while the boat motor
is out of gear. If you need to remove the
fish from the water, use wet hands or a wet
rag and support the belly. If the hook is
swallowed or if it is not safe to remove it,
cut the line as close to the mouth as possible
without causing injury to yourself or the
animal. Deeply ingested hooks (where the
insertion point of the barb is not visible)
should not be removed. Always support the
fish in the water until it is able to swim away.
For more information on release of sturgeon,
see the National Marine Fisheries Service
Greater Atlantic Regional Office website at
http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.
gov/protected/index.html.
What to do if you encounter a stranded
marine mammal: Report stranded marine
mammals to the stranding coordinator at
252-241-5119 or the N.C. Marine Patrol
at 252-726-7021. Report entanglements of
large whales to the Center for Coastal Studies
at 800-900-3622 or to the U.S. Coast Guard
channel 16.
(Pinch tail together
when measuring)
Curved Fork Length
6 N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2016
The Official 2016 North Carolina
Saltwater Fishing Tournament Minimum Weights
A = Award for live release of fish, regardless of size
B = Award for live release of fish, 24 inches or longer
C = Award for live release of fish, 32 inches or longer
D = Award for live release of fish, 33 inches or longer
E = Award for live release of fish, 34 inches or longer
F = Award for live release of fish, 40 inches or longer
G = Award for live release of fish, 45 inches or longer
H = Award for live release of fish, 50 inches or longer
I = Award for live release of fish, 70 inches or longer
J = Award for live release of fish, 80 inches or longer
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
manages two recreational fishing tournament
programs:
The North Carolina Saltwater Fishing
Tournament, also known as the Citation
Program, recognizes exceptional catches of
North Carolina’s most popular sport fish.
The tournament runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31
each year and is open to any angler, except
those who captain or work on a for-hire
vessel or those who sell their fish.
To qualify for a citation, the fish must
be caught on hook-and-line and landed
without the use of electric or hydraulic
equipment. The fish must meet program size
requirements, be weighed at an official weigh
station and then recorded on an official
application form. For release citations, an
angler or mate must touch the fish or the
leader. The angler and a witness must fill out
and sign an application at an official weigh
station. For a list of weigh stations, see
http://tinyurl.com/officialweighstations.
The North Carolina Governor’s Cup
Billfishing Conservation Series is an annual
sport fishing series operating cooperatively
with eight major billfish tournaments in the
state.
Participating boats or teams earn points
cumulatively throughout the series for billfish
landed or released. Penalty points are assessed
for undersized fish taken.
Trophies are awarded at the conclusion of
the tournament series for the most points
in both the private boat and charter boat
categories. Individual awards are given to the
outstanding junior boy, outstanding junior
girl and lady angler.
Additionally, trophies are awarded for the
largest blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo
and dolphin.
Fishing Tournaments
More information about the Governor’s Cup
and Saltwater Fishing tournaments can be
found online at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
recreational-fishing-tournaments.
N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2016 7
An artificial reef is a manmade structure built
to enhance fisheries habitat and improve
fishing opportunities. Artificial reefs attract
every type of fish from bottom dwellers to
pelagic fish (those that mostly swim in mid-water
or near the surface), sharks and baitfish.
Depending on the reef, fishing technique,
and time of year, a wide assortment of
popular fish can be caught.
Peak fishing activity occurs on the reefs from
May through November, but excellent fishing
can occur year-round, weather permitting.
During the spring, bluefish, cobia, amberjack,
Spanish mackerel and king mackerel are
among the more popular pelagic species
targeted at nearshore reefs. Bottom fish caught
during this same period include black sea
bass, gray triggerfish, flounder, sheepshead,
weakfish, red drum and black drum.
In the winter, nearshore artificial reefs serve
as a popular haven for large black sea bass,
sheepshead, weakfish and red drum. Farther
offshore, artificial reefs attract warm water
species year-round, such as snapper, grouper,
dolphin fish, wahoo, tuna, sailfish and marlin.
Keep in mind that North Carolina reefs are
popular. Watch out for scuba divers in the
water, and give them plenty of room. As for
other anglers, it’s always best to work together
so everyone gets a chance at the big one.
Fishing the reefs
Any successful fishing trip begins with a good
game plan. When planning, first consider
your limitations. North Carolina’s artificial
reefs are found in a wide range of locations
and environments, so be safe and do not
exceed your capabilities. Only experienced
crew with larger vessels should attempt to fish
on offshore reefs. In many cases, nearshore
reefs are just as productive as offshore
reefs. Nearshore reefs can also be extremely
dangerous in hazardous weather, so plan
accordingly.
Once you have considered safety and
limitations, the fun part begins. First, learn
about the reef site by visiting the online
guide, found at http://portal.ncdenr.org/
web/mf/artificial-reefs-program. It will also
help to pay attention to fishing reports and
stop by local tackle shops to see what’s biting.
From there, select the fish you’d like to catch
and how you’d like to catch it.
While there are many ways to catch fish on
artificial reefs, here are some of the most
effective:
Trolling
Trolling is the preferred method for
targeting large pelagic fish such as tuna,
billfish, dolphin fish, king mackerel, Spanish
mackerel and bluefish. If done correctly,
trolling can be very easy and effective.
Typically, one or more fishing lines, baited
with lures, bait fish or spoons are dragged
through the water while the boat travels
around and across the reef structure.
For this type of fishing, anglers use heavier
rods and conventional-type reels designed
to hold the resistance weight of lures in the
water and battle the powerful fish that may
take the bait. There are many ways to rig up
for trolling, but in most cases, a snap swivel
links to a trolling sinker or small planer,
followed by some length of leader line and
connected to the bait or lure. When trolling,
be certain to set the drag on your reel so that
the fish has an opportunity to run when it
strikes. It may take some patience, but you’ll
surely feel the thrill when the reel screams
from that first bite.
Drift fishing
Drift fishing is another fishing method used
on artificial reefs. With drift fishing, live baits
or artificial lures are drifted through the water
column. Depending on the weight of your
lure and type of bait, drifting can be excellent
How to Fish on North Carolina’s Artificial Reefs
Looking for a different, rewarding fishing experience?
Try fishing on one of North Carolina’s artificial reefs.
8 N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2016
To learn more about the states artificial reefs,
go to http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/artificial-reefs-
program. You can also email questions to
artificialreefs@ncdenr.gov.
Every fish ear bone tells a story, and the
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ aging
technicians know how to read it. They take
a sliver of ear bone, mount it to a glass
slide and place it under a microscope. An
image pops up on a computer screen and
the technician counts the rings, called
annuli, on the ear bone (otolith). The same
can be done with fish scales.
Each ring represents one year of the fish’s life.
Both put down a growth pattern. It is very
similar to looking at growth rings on a tree.
The technician can tell the years when a fish
has its biggest growth spurts (usually its first
years of life), and with American shad, he
can even tell at what age the fish spawned.
Make no bones about it, this is important work.
The age and maturity data collected by
the Aging Lab helps stock assessment
scientists determine the health of fish
stocks in North Carolina.
Otoliths taken from fish at fish houses and
fishing tournaments show the ages generally
caught by the commercial and recreational
fishermen.
The Aging Lab also samples otoliths taken from
fish caught when biologists sample the waters.
These samples offer a good picture of the
age composition that is out there and gives
the scientists a better understanding of the
dynamics of the population. Understanding
the dynamics of the population and how
it responds to fishing pressure allows for
better management decisions to be made.
Otoliths are a calcium carbonate structure,
and they are pretty essential to fish. They
sit in a membrane at the base of the skull
and they act as the fish’s inner ear. There
are small hairs in the membrane that the
fish uses for balance. The fish also uses the
inner ear to sense vibrations that alert it to
predators.
Otoliths are pretty important to those who
study fish, as well.
for catching bottom dwelling species, such Aging Lab Has Bones Coming Out the Ears
as flounder or pelagic fish, like Spanish or
king mackerel. Another plus of drift fishing
is that you can drift over many fish targets in
one pass, increasing your chances of success.
When your target species hits, it’s frequently
explosive.
If planning to drift fish, look closely at your
reef guide for details of the reef you want
to drift over. At the reef site, set up a search
pattern using your fish finder, and mark
points where you see fish targets. Knowing
the current and wind direction will also
be important to help you determine how
the boat will drift. Start 20 to 50 yards up
wind or up current (whichever is prevailing)
from your target location, drop your bait to
whatever depth you picked, idle your motor
and start drifting across the reef. The first
drift will often be a bit of a guess, taking into
consideration the direction of the wind and
current. After a few tries, you should have a
better idea of where and how your boat will
drift across the reef, which will allow you to
reposition your drifts each time.
Bottom fishing
Bottom fishing is the most common way to
fish reefs. Bottom fishing can lure any of the
local bottom fish species, including black
sea bass, sheepshead, porgy, flounder, red
drum, black drum, grouper, snapper and gray
triggerfish. Anglers usually rely on a one- or
two-hook bottom rig with cut bait (especially
squid) or live bait.
While seemingly easy, bottom fishing can
take a bit of practice to be successful. The key
is positioning. When you arrive at the reef,
explore the area with a fish finder, looking
for fish hovering above structure in the water
column. Reef fish do not stray far away from
structure, so anchor your boat to hover just
above the reef. Pay attention to the wind and
current to help set your anchor course.
Tackle is another important consideration.
When you have hooked a fish in deep waters
and near a structure, the first thing the fish
will try to do is escape into the reef. Too
many fish stories end this way. Be certain to
match your equipment to the type of fish
you are targeting. Grouper, for example, are
powerful fighters, so stout tackle is required.
In any case, braided line can be a good way
to resist breaking your line on the reef, but it
is also less forgiving with snags.
Where scales from different fish can be
similar, otoliths are very distinct. When
biologists look at the stomach contents of
a fish to study its diet, they look for the
otoliths of the eaten fish, which take longer
to digest than other parts of the meal.
Some of the biggest fish have the smallest
otoliths. For instance, the otolith of a
marlin is about the size of a pin head.
The otolith of a red drum is the size of a
quarter.
There are two methods of removing
otoliths from a fish. The easier method is to
slice the fish’s head off, but at tournaments
and fish markets, it’s better to go in
through the gills so that the fish remains
intact.
Most of the otoliths that come to the Aging
Lab come from various division sampling
programs with a form that lists the species,
length, weight and sex of the fish.
Aging Lab technicians use a rock cutting
saw with a diamond saw blade to grind to
the middle otolith, called the focus. They
use ultraviolet glue to mount the ground
side to a glass slide. Then, they grind in a
different direction to the other side of the
focus until it is paper thin and can read
through it.
The division has been aging fish since the
late 1980s, but the Aging Lab did not form
until 1995. By centralizing the operation,
the division was able to concentrate all its
aging equipment into one place and hire
employees who specialize in this area.
Funded by a federal Sport Fish Restoration
Fund grant, Aging Lab staff age 18 different
species, all recreational fish. From 2010 to
2013, the Aging Lab aged 29,890 fish of all
ages up to a 43-year-old red drum.
The Aging Lab also has a Marine Fisheries
Initiative (MARFIN) grant from NOAA
Fisheries Service to conduct length and
age sampling of the commercial snapper/
grouper fishery.
N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2016 9
Sheepshead
Archosargus probatocephalus
Greater Amberjack
Seriola dumerili
Bluefish
Pomatomus saltatrix
Cobia
Rachycentron canadum
Spanish Mackerel
Scomberomorus maculatus
King Mackerel
Scomberomorus cavalla
Sailfish
Istiophorus albicans
White Marlin
Tetrapturus albidus
Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
Summer Flounder
Paralichthys dentatus
Northern Puffer
Sphoeroides maculatus
Atlantic Spadefish
Chaetodipterus faber
Black Sea Bass
Centropristis striata
Vermilion Snapper
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Gag Grouper
Mycteroperca microlepis
Common North Carolina Saltwater Fishes
Little Tunny
Euthynnus alletteratus
Black Drum
Pogonias cromis
Red Drum
Sciaenops ocellatus
Wahoo
Acanthocybium solanderi
Blue Marlin
Makaira nigricans
Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout)
Cynoscion nebulosus
Southern Kingfish
Menticirrhus americanus
Spot
Leiostomus xanthurus
Pigfish
Orthopristis chrysoptera
Atlantic Croaker
Micropogonias undulatus
Weakfish (Gray Trout)
Cynoscion regalis
Southern Flounder
Paralichthys lethostigma
Pinfish
Lagodon rhomboides
Yellowfin Tuna
Thunnus albacares
Dolphin
Coryphaena hippurus
Red Porgy
Pagrus pagrus
To report fisheries violations, or for
information on rules and regulations call
252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632.
SHELLFISH
Species Minimum Length Bag Limits (Per Person) Seasons Comments
Blue Crab 5” carapace width
(minimum for males)
50 crabs/day not to exceed 100
crabs/vessel/day
One crab pot may be used without a license from private
property or private pier. Recreational Commercial Gear
License required otherwise. See maps for open/closed
areas at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/.
Hard Clam 1” thick 100 clams/day not to exceed
200 clams/vessel/day
Oyster 3” shell length 1 bushel/day not to exceed 2
bushels/vessel/day
Open by proclamation
Oct. 15 - March 31
(http://portal.ncdenr.
org/web/mf)
Frequent temporary closures due to stormwater runoff
and rainfall apply to all shellfish harvest. Contact the N.C.
Division of Marine Fisheries at 800-682-2632 or visit
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/ proclamations for seasons,
areas, or other restrictions.
Bay Scallop None 1 bushel/day not to exceed 1
bushel/vessel/day
Closed unless opened
by proclamation.
(http://portal.
ncdenr.org/web/mf/
proclamations)
See maps for permanently open and closed areas at
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/shellfish-closure-maps
Conchs and
Whelks
None 10/day not to exceed 20/vessel/
day
Mussels None 100/day not to exceed 200/
vessel/day
Shrimp None Closed shrimping area — 4
quarts/day (Cast net only)
Open shrimping area — 48
quarts heads on, 30 quarts
heads off (Per person or vessel)*
Recreational Commercial Gear License required for use of a
shrimp trawl, shrimp pound and shrimp pots
*Recreational Commercial Gear License holders may keep
two limits of shrimp, when two or more license holders are
on board a vessel, using commercial gear, while shrimping
in open waters.
See maps for open/closed areas at
http://portal.ncdenr. org/web/mf/maps-to-view-and-print
Stone Crabs 2 3/4” propodus
(forearm)
No limit on claws Closed June 15 - Aug.
15
No possession of crab body; no removal of claw from egg-bearing
crabs; no gigging.
THIS DIGEST IS EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2016 AND IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND HAS NO LEGAL FORCE OR EFFECT. FISHERY RULES
ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THESE RESTRICTIONS APPLY TO FISH TAKEN FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES AND INCLUDE HOOK AND LINE. Updated State
regulations can be found at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/recreational-fishing-size-and-bag-limits and updated Recreational Commercial Gear License
information can be found at http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/recreational-commercial-gear-license.
Total length (TL) is measured from tip of snout with mouth closed to top of compressed tail. Fork length (FL) is measured from tip of snout to middle of fork in tail.
Lower jaw fork length (LJFL) is measured from lower jaw to middle of fork in tail. Curved fork length (CFL) is the measurement of the length taken in a line tracing
the contour of the body from the tip of the upper jaw to the fork of the tail.
Anglers cannot catch both a federal and state bag limit for the same species on the same trip.
Ocean boundary is defined as water seaward of the COLREGS Demarcation Lines as indicated on National Ocean Service navigation charts.
No one may possess aboard a vessel or while engaged in fishing any fish subject to limits without head and tail attached, except for alewife and blueback herring
used for bait provided not more than two fish per boat/operation may be cut at any one time.
Morehead City Office
(24 hours)
800-682-2632 or
252-726-7021
Elizabeth City Office
800-338-7805 (N.C. only) or
252-264-3911
Manteo Office
252-473-5734
Washington Office
800-338-7804 or
252-946-6481
Wilmington Office
800-248-4536 (N.C. only) or
910-796-7215
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Telephone Directory
Federal Regulations
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS): 813-893-3722
State of N.C. — Freshwater Regulations
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC): 800-662-7137
Federal and State Agency Telephone Directory
18 N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2016
Recreational fishing does not always involve a
rod-and-reel. Below is some information you
need to know if you want to fish with gigs,
cast nets or pots.
Gig, Spear and
Crossbow Fishing
Individuals need to hold a Coastal
Recreational Fishing License to gig, spear or
crossbow fish in North Carolina.
Properly licensed recreational fishermen are
allowed to gig or spear any species except
red drum, sharks, spiny lobster, stone crabs,
tarpon or any species that is not in season.
Recreational size and bag limits apply and
sale of catch is prohibited.
Off the Hook
For the most up-to-date recreational size and
bag limits, see http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
recreational-fishing-size-and-bag-limits.
Crab Fishing
No license is needed to set one pot per person
from a private pier or shoreline. A private pier
or shoreline means there is no public access
and does not apply to fishing piers where the
public pays for fishing privileges. No buoy or
identification is required.
No license is needed to use collapsible crab
traps as long as the largest open dimension
is no larger than 18 inches and the traps are
designed to collapse at all times when in the
water, except when they are being retrieved
from or lowered to the bottom.
No license is needed for chicken necking
(using a hand line with chicken as bait).
Recreational harvest limits apply and sale of
catch is prohibited.
Other than the activities described above,
a Recreational Commercial Gear License
Cast Nets
There are no regulations limiting the size of
cast nets used in N.C. coastal waters. A cast
net may be used year-round in all coastal
waters of the state.
Those who target finfish with a cast net
need to hold a Coastal Recreational Fishing
License. This includes cast netting for
minnows or other bait fish.
No license or permit is needed to cast net
for shrimp for recreational purposes, but you
need a Coastal Recreational Fishing License
to keep any finfish you catch.
Recreational size and bag limits apply and
sale of catch is prohibited.
is needed to fish for crabs. See page 4 and
http://tinyurl.com/RecreationalCrabFishing
for more information.
N.C. Coastal Recreational Fishing Digest — 2016 19
122,650 copies of this public digest were printed at a cost of $34,498.10 or $0.28 per copy.
January
FISH: Black sea bass, bluefin tuna, bluefish, spotted seatrout (ocean and coastal rivers), striped bass (ocean,
coastal rivers), flounder
SHELLFISH: clams, oysters
February
FISH: American and hickory shad (coastal river tributaries), black sea bass, bluefin tuna, bluefish, spotted
seatrout (ocean and coastal rivers), striped bass (ocean, coastal rivers), flounder
SHELLFISH: clams, oysters
March
FISH: American and hickory shad (coastal river tributaries), black sea bass, bluefish, bluefin tuna, croaker,
spotted seatrout, striped bass (coastal rivers), wahoo, yellowfin tuna
SHELLFISH: clams, oysters
April
FISH: American shad (coastal rivers), black sea bass, bluefish, bluefin tuna, croaker, gray trout, king
mackerel, red drum, sea mullet, spotted seatrout, striped bass (coastal rivers), wahoo, yellowfin tuna
SHELLFISH: clams
May
FISH: Bluefish, cobia, dolphin, flounder, gray trout, king mackerel, sea mullet, sharks, spotted seatrout
(sounds), striped bass (coastal rivers), yellowfin tuna
SHELLFISH: clams, hard crabs, soft crabs
June
FISH: Black sea bass, blue marlin, bluefish, cobia, dolphin, flounder, grouper, king mackerel, sailfish, sharks,
Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout (sounds), tuna, wahoo, white marlin
SHELLFISH: clams, hard crabs, soft crabs
July
FISH: Blue marlin, bluefish, flounder, red drum, dolphin, grouper, sailfish, sea mullet, tarpon (coastal rivers),
Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout, tuna, wahoo, white marlin
SHELLFISH: clams, hard crabs, soft crabs, shrimp
August
FISH: Bluefish, dolphin, flounder, grouper, sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout, spots, tarpon
(coastal rivers), tuna, wahoo, white marlin
SHELLFISH: clams, hard crabs, soft crabs, shrimp
September
FISH: Bluefish, dolphin, false albacore, flounder, gray trout, grouper, king mackerel, red drum, sea mullet,
Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout (ocean and coastal rivers), spot, white marlin, tarpon (coastal rivers)
SHELLFISH: clams, hard crabs, soft crabs, shrimp
October
FISH: Bluefish, false albacore, gray trout, grouper, king mackerel, red drum, sea mullet, flounder, spotted
seatrout (ocean and coastal rivers), spots, striped bass (coastal rivers), wahoo, yellowfin tuna
SHELLFISH: clams, oysters
November
FISH: Bluefish, false albacore, grouper, king mackerel, sea mullet, sharks, spotted Seatrout (ocean and
coastal rivers), striped bass (coastal rivers), yellowfin tuna
SHELLFISH: clams, oysters
December
FISH: Bluefin tuna, bluefish, false albacore, grouper, black sea bass, spotted seatrout (ocean and coastal
rivers), sharks, striped bass (ocean and coastal rivers)
SHELLFISH: clams, oysters
North Carolina Fishing — What’s Hot and When
Bluefish
Summer Flounder
Spanish Mackerel
Dolphin (mahi mahi)
Spotted Seatrout
Scan this quick response
code to get the latest size
and bag limits on your
mobile phone.
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
3441 Arendell Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
252-726-7021 | 800-682-2632