Atlantic Bonito
Sarda sarda
Also called Bonito.
How to tell it
Straight dark stripes along the upper flank, visible teeth, slimmer than false albacore.
- Not a false albacore? That one wavy broken markings, no teeth showing. (False Albacore)
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 16" min (curved fork length) | 5 fish combined with false albacore | Open year-roundMA DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5 lb 5 oz | 1994 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Connecticut | 11 lb 8 oz | 2017 · Ocean Beach | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 9.56 lb | 2025 · Stuart | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Massachusetts | 13 lb 8 oz | 2002 · NB Dike | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New Jersey | 13 lb 8 oz | 1945 · Off Sandy Hook | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New York | 13 lb 7 oz | 2020 | NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| Rhode Island | 13 lb | 1995 · Westerly | RI DEM Saltwater Sportfish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| South Carolina | 7 lb 11 oz | 1993 · Little River | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 27 lb | 1969 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
Good — far better table fare than false albacore.
In the app
Point the camera at a atlantic bonito and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about atlantic bonito
What is the size limit for atlantic bonito?
It depends on the state. Massachusetts: 16" min (curved fork length).
How many atlantic bonito can you keep?
Massachusetts: 5 fish combined with false albacore.
How do you tell atlantic bonito from false albacore?
Atlantic Bonito has this: Straight dark stripes along the upper flank, visible teeth, slimmer than false albacore.. False Albacore wavy broken markings, no teeth showing.
What is the record atlantic bonito?
27 lb in Texas (1969), Gulf of America. Other states’ records are in the table.