Blueline Tilefish
Caulolatilus microps
How to tell it
Blue line under the eye on a long tan body; deep mud bottom.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No size limit | 20-fish reef fish aggregate | Open year-roundAL MRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Delaware | No size limit | 3 per day private vessel (5 uninspected for-hire, 7 inspected for-hire) | May 1 - Oct 31DE DNREC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | No size limit | 2 per person within 3-grouper aggregate | Open May 1-Aug 31FWC 2026 · checked | Closed |
| Florida (Gulf) | No size limit | 2 fish or 100 lb per person, whichever is greater | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| GeorgiaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 2 per person per day within 3-grouper aggregate | May 1 – Aug 31 (closed Sep 1 – Apr 30)SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked | Closed |
| Louisiana | No size limit | 20 per person in reef fish aggregate | Open year-roundLDWF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maryland | Federal rules apply | Federal rules apply | Open year-roundMD DNR 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| Mississippi | No size limit | No individual limit (within 20-reef-fish aggregate) | Open year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| New JerseyFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 3 per person (private); 5 (uninspected for-hire); 7 (inspected for-hire) | May 15 - Nov 14NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked | Open |
| New YorkFederal rule (Mid-Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 3 per person (private); 5 (uninspected for-hire); 7 (inspected for-hire) | May 15 - Nov 14NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked | Open |
| North CarolinaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | 2 per person per day within 3-grouper aggregate | May 1 – Aug 31 (closed Sep 1 – Apr 30)SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked | Closed |
| South Carolina | No size limit | 3 per person per day in state waters (federal: 2), within 3-grouper/tilefish aggregate | Open year-round in state watersSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| TexasFederal rule (Gulf federal waters) | No size limit | Within 20-reef-fish aggregate (20 per person per day) | Open year-roundNOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked | Open |
| Virginia | No size limit | 3 per person (5 uninspected / 7 inspected for-hire) | May 15 - Nov 15VMRC 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 10 lb 14 oz | 2014 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Delaware | 25 lb 8 oz | 2022 | DNREC Delaware Fishing Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 15.55 lb | 2024 · Madiera Beach | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maryland | 21.3 lb | 2025 · Washington Canyon | MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23 · MD Atlantic division record |
| Mississippi | 2 lb 13 oz | 2013 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| New Jersey | 23 lb 8 oz | 2021 · Wilmington Canyon | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
| North Carolina | 17 lb 1.9 oz | 2023 · Offshore of Nags Head | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| South Carolina | 14 lb 6 oz | 1982 · Murrells Inlet | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 10.09 lb | 2017 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Virginia | 23 lb 5 oz | 2009 · Norfolk Canyon | VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04 |
On the table
Excellent.
In the app
Point the camera at a blueline tilefish 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 blueline tilefish
What is the size limit for blueline tilefish?
It depends on the state. Maryland: Federal rules apply.
How many blueline tilefish can you keep?
Alabama: 20-fish reef fish aggregate; Delaware: 3 per day private vessel (5 uninspected for-hire, 7 inspected for-hire); Florida (Atlantic): 2 per person within 3-grouper aggregate; Florida (Gulf): 2 fish or 100 lb per person, whichever is greater; Georgia: 2 per person per day within 3-grouper aggregate; Louisiana: 20 per person in reef fish aggregate; Maryland: Federal rules apply; Mississippi: No individual limit (within 20-reef-fish aggregate); and more in the table above.
When is blueline tilefish season?
Delaware: May 1 - Oct 31; Florida (Atlantic): Open May 1-Aug 31; Georgia: May 1 – Aug 31 (closed Sep 1 – Apr 30); New Jersey: May 15 - Nov 14; New York: May 15 - Nov 14; North Carolina: May 1 – Aug 31 (closed Sep 1 – Apr 30); Virginia: May 15 - Nov 15.
What is the record blueline tilefish?
25 lb 8 oz in Delaware (2022). Other states’ records are in the table.