Blueline tilefish across North Carolina
Finding and keeping blueline tilefish, by North Carolina rules.
- 2 a daydaily creel
- 17 lb. 1.9 oz.record
Photo of Bunn: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Where blueline tilefish fit in North Carolina
Blueline tilefish (Caulolatilus microps) lives in North Carolina’s saltwater habitat. NCDMF sets a creel of 2 a day with no size limit where state and federal waters off north carolina (snapper-grouper complex).
The state record is 17 lb. 1.9 oz., taken at Offshore of Nags Head in 2023. NCDMF citation: Award for harvest of fish, 12 pounds or greater.
Creel limits for blueline tilefish
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCDMF | State and federal waters off North Carolina (snapper-grouper complex) | 2 a day | no size limit | May 1 – Aug. 31 |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
North Carolina record blueline tilefish
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 17 lb. 1.9 oz. | Offshore of Nags Head | 2023 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Species that pair with blueline tilefish
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
Places to fish near Blueline tilefish, pictured
Photo: John Taylor, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Southern Foodways Alliance, CC BY 2.0
Worth knowing about blueline tilefish
Which rules govern keeping blueline tilefish?
2 a day (State and federal waters off North Carolina (snapper-grouper complex)), size no size limit.
Which water gave up the record blueline tilefish?
17 lb. 1.9 oz. from Offshore of Nags Head (2023).
Which waters produce blueline tilefish?
The profile above covers its range.
Does NCWRC stock blueline tilefish?
Not on this year’s list.
How do I tell blueline tilefish apart?
Scientific name Caulolatilus microps.
Can blueline tilefish be kept this month?
May 1 – Aug. 31
What license do blueline tilefish anglers buy?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Which captains list blueline tilefish?
None list it by name; see the guides page.
Seek out blueline tilefish
Pick a water from the lists on this page.