Atlantic Guitarfish
Pseudobatos lentiginosus
How to tell it
Half shark, half ray — a flattened, freckled guitar body that sweeps into a shark's tail.
Often mistaken for
Two fish that get called Atlantic guitarfish, and what gives each one away.
- Smalltooth sawfish: Carries a long toothed saw. Tell them apart
- Clearnose skate: Full wing disc, translucent snout panes. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No size limit | 3 per person | Open year-roundAL MRD 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | No size limit | 2 fish or 100 lb per day | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | No size limit | 2 fish or 100 lb per day | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 4.44 lb | 1998 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
Release it — protected in Florida waters.
In the app
Point the camera at an Atlantic guitarfish 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 guitarfish
How many Atlantic guitarfish can you keep?
Alabama: 3 per person; Florida (Atlantic): 2 fish or 100 lb per day; Florida (Gulf): 2 fish or 100 lb per day.
How do you tell Atlantic guitarfish from smalltooth sawfish?
Atlantic Guitarfish: Half shark, half ray — a flattened, freckled guitar body that sweeps into a shark's tail. Smalltooth sawfish: carries a long toothed saw.
What is the record Atlantic guitarfish?
4.44 lb in Texas (1998), Gulf of America. Other states’ records are in the table.