False albacore across North Carolina
false albacore, North Carolina limits and records.
- no creel limitdaily creel
- 32 lb. 0 oz.record
Photo of Bath: Nyttend, Public domain
false albacore, the state picture
The state counts False albacore as a saltwater fish. For coastal and joint fishing waters, NCDMF lists no creel limit and no size limit.
The North Carolina record weighed 32 lb. 0 oz., from Off Morehead City (2015). NCDMF citation: Award for live release of fish, 40 inches or longer.
NCDMF on false albacore
“False Albacore is a tuna-shaped fish that is steel blue on top and silver below with wavy stripes along the posterior portion of the back. Several dark spots are scattered below the pectoral fin and small finlets behind the second dorsal and anal fins.”
- SizeFalse Albacore grow to 20 pounds.
- HabitatFalse Albacore school by size and migrate north through coastal waters in the spring and south in the fall and winter.
- DietWhen a large school is actively feeding they are noisy, splashing and foaming the water. They feed on fishes such as Herrings, Sardines and Scads but will also readily eat squid and crustaceans. Other Tunas, Dolphin, Wahoo, Atlantic Sailfish, Swordfish and various Sharks prey on the False Albacore.
- Fishing tipsAnglers catch False Albacore by trolling, casting or float fishing with lures or live bait such as Bluefish, Pinfish or Spot. When trolling, fishermen usually use small lures with Mullet or Ballyhoo or colored feathers to locate the fish. Once they find a school anglers cast metal spoons or silver j
- Also calledLittle Tunny, Albacore, Little Tuna, Bonito, Fat Alberts
- Confused withAtlantic bonito, bullet and frigate mackerel
Quoted from the NCDMF species profile, checked October 2026.
Creel and size for false albacore
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCDMF | Coastal and joint fishing waters | no creel limit | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
State record false albacore
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 32 lb. 0 oz. | Off Morehead City | 2015 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Kin to false albacore
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
Scenes from waters by False albacore
Photo: Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Photo: Gerry Dincher from Hope Mills, NC, CC BY-SA 2.0
false albacore in a few answers
What size rule covers false albacore?
no creel limit (Coastal and joint fishing waters), size no size limit.
What does the record false albacore weigh?
32 lb. 0 oz. from Off Morehead City (2015).
Which habitats hold false albacore?
False Albacore school by size and migrate north through coastal waters in the spring and south in the fall and winter.
Will NCWRC stock false albacore this year?
No 2026 stocking is listed.
How large can false albacore grow?
False Albacore grow to 20 pounds.
Are false albacore open to harvest year-round?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
What license do false albacore anglers carry?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Do charters target false albacore?
No listing names it.
Chase false albacore across North Carolina
Open a water above for ramps and limits.