Gray triggerfish in Florida
Where to catch gray triggerfish, plus limits and records.
- 13.25 lbrecord
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
,_Parque_natural_de_la_Arr%C3%A1bida,_Portugal,_2020-07-23,_DD_24.jpg){kind=link}
Gray triggerfish in Florida waters
Gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) is managed by FWC as a saltwater species. The Florida record gray triggerfish weighed 13.25 pounds (Pensacola, 2012).
Know your gray triggerfish
Home water for gray triggerfish
“Hard-bottoms, reefs and ledges in water depths that exceed 80 feet.”
How gray triggerfish feed and spawn
“Triggerfish can raise and lock their first dorsal spine; pressing down on the second dorsal spine acts as a trigger, unlocking the first spine.”
Quoted from the FWC species profile.
Florida gray triggerfish limits
| Where | Bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf state waters | 1 a day | 15 in minimum | Open March 1 – May 31 and Aug. 1 – Dec. 31 |
| Atlantic state waters | 10 a day | 12 in minimum | Open year-round |
FWC saltwater regulations, checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Florida record gray triggerfish
| Category | Weight (lb) | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| All tackle | 13.25 | Pensacola | 2012 |
| Fly | |||
| Youth |
FWC freshwater state records and Catch a Florida Memory saltwater records. Angler names left out.
Reef counties for gray triggerfish
Most gray triggerfish are caught over structure offshore; these counties have the most FWC artificial reef deployments.
- Bay County615 reef deployments
- Escambia County496 reef deployments
- Okaloosa County488 reef deployments
- Pinellas County367 reef deployments
- Miami-Dade County277 reef deployments
- Sarasota County261 reef deployments
- Volusia County191 reef deployments
- Palm Beach County154 reef deployments
- Lee County136 reef deployments
- Broward County128 reef deployments
- Collier County121 reef deployments
- Martin County121 reef deployments
- Duval County107 reef deployments
- Manatee County106 reef deployments
- St. Lucie County92 reef deployments
Other Florida saltwater fish
Quick answers on gray triggerfish
What are the Florida rules for keeping gray triggerfish?
1 a day (Gulf state waters), size: 15 in minimum.
What does the Florida record gray triggerfish weigh?
13.25 pounds, caught in 2012.
Which Florida waters hold gray triggerfish?
The lists above show where gray triggerfish are caught.
Are gray triggerfish stocked in Florida?
No recent FWC stocking of gray triggerfish is listed.
What size gray triggerfish counts for a Big Catch certificate?
FWC lists no Big Catch minimum for gray triggerfish.
What is the taxonomic name of gray triggerfish?
Balistes capriscus.
Can I fish for gray triggerfish without a license?
Yes, a Florida saltwater license from age 16 unless exempt.
Can I keep gray triggerfish year round?
Yes: Open March 1 – May 31 and Aug. 1 – Dec. 31.
What sources cover gray triggerfish here?
FWC, which sets Florida fishing rules.