NC Saltwater Fishing Citation Requirements
Each year the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries sponsors an open tournament for recreational anglers. Fishermen who land or release certain saltwater species of a minimum size in NC's coastal waters are eligible for a citation certificate that commends their catch as extraordinary.
The rules are pretty simple. The fish must be caught on hook and line and landed without electric or hydrolic equipment. Fish must then be weighed by an authorized weighmaster at an official weighstation where the weighmaster will inspect the catch. For catch and release citations the angler or the mate must touch the fish or leader and the angler and a witness must fill out an application at an official weighstation.
Full Citation Program Information from the NCDMF
Complete List of Official Weighstations
North Carolina Saltwater Fishing Citation Minimum Weights
| Species | Minimum Weight |
| Amberjack | 50 lbs.(C) |
| Barracuda | 20 lbs. |
| Bass, Black Sea | 4 lbs. |
| Bluefish | 17 lbs. |
| Cobia | 40 lbs.(D) |
| Croaker | 3 lbs. |
| Dolphin | 35 lbs. |
| Drum, Black | 40 lbs. |
| Drum, Red | Release Only (B) |
| Flounder | 5 lbs. |
| Grouper | 20 lbs. |
| Jack, Crevalle | 20 lbs. |
| Mackerel, King | 30 lbs.(C) |
| Mackerel, Spanish | 6 lbs. |
| Marlin, Blue | 400 lbs.(A) |
| Marlin, White | 50 lbs.(A) |
| Mullet, Sea | 1.5 lbs. |
| Pompano | 2 lbs. |
| Red Porgy | 4 lbs. |
| Sailfish | 30 lbs.(A) |
| Shark | 150 lbs. |
| Sheepshead | 10 lbs. |
| Snapper, Red | 10 lbs. |
| Spot | 1 lb. |
| Striped Bass | 35 lbs.(E) |
| Tarpon | 30 lbs.(A) |
| Tautog | 8 lbs. |
| Triggerfish | 7 lbs. |
| Trout, Gray | 6 lbs. |
| Trout, Speckled | 4 lbs. |
| Tuna, Bigeye | 100 lbs. |
| Tuna, Bluefin | 80 lbs.(F) |
| Tuna, Yellowfin | 70 lbs. |
| Wahoo | 40 lbs. |
(A) Award for live release of fish, regardless of size.
(B) Award for live release of fish 40 inches or longer.
(C) Award for live release of fish 50 inches or longer.
(D) Award for live release of fish 33 inches or longer.
(E) Award for live release of fish 35 inches or longer.
(F) Award for live release of fish 70 inches or longer.
For more information on the NC saltwater
fishing citation program contact Randy Gregory or Partha Howell with the N.C. Division
of Marine Fisheries at 800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021.
