On 28January 2020, the North Carolina Department of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) announced a modification that establishes new creel and bag limits for the Recreational Bluefish Fishery effective February 1, 2020 at 12:01 A.M. in all coastal fishing waters.

This new rule states:

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Recreational anglers that are NOT fishing on a For-Hire vessel may possess up to three (3) bluefish per day per angler. This rule will apply to all anglers fishing from the shore-based areas and from all private vessels. No minimum size limit is indicated.

Recreational anglers that are fishing on a For-Hire vessel may possess up to five (5) bluefish per day per angler as long as the vessel carries the proper documentation. No minimum size limit is indicated.

For clarification purposes, the rule defines a “For-Hire vessel” shall be licensed in one of two ways:

1) Operator must possess a “For-Hire Blanket Coastal Recreational Fishing License” (CRFL) for the vessel which will cover all anglers or;

2) Operator must possess a “For-Hire Fishing Permit” for the fishing vessel issued by the Division of Marine Fisheries.

As in all recreational fishing, please only harvest what the angler can use and release the ones you can’t use.

For more information on this rule and other rules, contact:  the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557, phone 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632 for more information or visit the division website at  www.ncmarinefisheries.net.

Until Next Time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony