Bigeye tuna across North Carolina
Limits, records and where to find bigeye tuna.
- no creel limitdaily creel
- 311 lb. 8 oz.record
Photo of the species, not of a North Carolina water: Allen Shimada, NOAA NMFS OST, Public domain
bigeye tuna across North Carolina
Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) is a saltwater species in North Carolina. Under NCDMF rules (coastal fishing waters), the creel is no creel limit and the size rule is 27 in minimum.
A 311 lb. 8 oz. fish from Off Oregon Inlet in 1992 holds the state record. NCDMF citation: Award for harvest of fish, 100 pounds or greater.
North Carolina harvest rules for bigeye tuna
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCDMF | Coastal fishing waters | no creel limit | 27 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
bigeye tuna in the state record book
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 311 lb. 8 oz. | Off Oregon Inlet | 1992 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
More bigeye tuna neighbors
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
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Quick facts on bigeye tuna
What daily limit applies to bigeye tuna?
no creel limit (Coastal fishing waters), size 27 in minimum.
Does North Carolina keep a record for bigeye tuna?
311 lb. 8 oz. from Off Oregon Inlet (1992).
Where do North Carolina anglers find bigeye tuna?
Agency notes are above.
Are bigeye tuna stocked in North Carolina?
The 2026 list does not include it.
How do I recognize bigeye tuna?
Scientific name Thunnus obesus.
In which months may I keep bigeye tuna?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
Do I need a CRFL for bigeye tuna?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Which captains run trips for bigeye tuna?
No operator names it; try the guides page.
Hunt for bigeye tuna
Every water named here has a page with ramps and limits.