Banded Rudderfish
Seriola zonata
How to tell it
Small seriola: juveniles banded, adults show a white-edged tail; often mis-called amberjack.
- Not a greater amberjack? That one grows far larger, stronger eye stripe. (Greater Amberjack)
- Not a almaco jack? That one deeper body, tall sickle dorsal. (Almaco Jack)
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14-22 in fork length slot | 20-fish reef fish aggregate | Open year-roundAL MRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | 14-22 in fork length slot | 5 per person (lesser amberjack and banded rudderfish combined) | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 14-22 in fork length slot | 5 per person (lesser amberjack and banded rudderfish combined) | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| GeorgiaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 10 per person per day within 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate | Open year-roundSAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked | Open |
| Louisiana | slot 14–22 in fork length | 5 per person in aggregate with lesser amberjack | Open year-roundLDWF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | 14–22 in fork length slot | 5 per person per day (combined with Lesser Amberjack) | Open year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| North CarolinaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 10 per person per day within 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate | Open year-roundSAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | No size limit | 20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| TexasFederal rule (Gulf federal waters) | 14-22 in fork length slot | 5-fish jacks aggregate (with lesser amberjack) | Open year-roundNOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 1 lb 5 oz | 2018 · Milford | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 · Exotic Marine Species Category (Harvested) |
On the table
Very good.
In the app
Point the camera at a banded rudderfish 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 banded rudderfish
What is the size limit for banded rudderfish?
It depends on the state. Alabama: 14-22 in fork length slot; Florida (Atlantic): 14-22 in fork length slot; Florida (Gulf): 14-22 in fork length slot; Louisiana: slot 14–22 in fork length; Mississippi: 14–22 in fork length slot; Texas: 14-22 in fork length slot.
How many banded rudderfish can you keep?
Alabama: 20-fish reef fish aggregate; Florida (Atlantic): 5 per person (lesser amberjack and banded rudderfish combined); Florida (Gulf): 5 per person (lesser amberjack and banded rudderfish combined); Georgia: 10 per person per day within 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate; Louisiana: 5 per person in aggregate with lesser amberjack; Mississippi: 5 per person per day (combined with Lesser Amberjack); North Carolina: 10 per person per day within 20-fish snapper-grouper aggregate; South Carolina: 20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species; and more in the table above.
How do you tell banded rudderfish from greater amberjack?
Banded Rudderfish has this: Small seriola: juveniles banded, adults show a white-edged tail; often mis-called amberjack.. Greater Amberjack grows far larger, stronger eye stripe.
What is the record banded rudderfish?
1 lb 5 oz in Connecticut (2018), Milford. Other states’ records are in the table.