Cottonwick
Haemulon melanurum
How to tell it
White grunt cousin: bold black stripe from snout through the tail.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic)Federal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | No specific bag limit | Open year-roundSAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| GeorgiaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | No specific bag limit | Open year-roundSAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| North CarolinaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | No specific bag limit | Open year-roundSAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| South CarolinaFederal rule (South Atlantic federal waters) | No size limit | No specific bag limit | Open year-roundSAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida (Gulf), Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 2.4 lb | 2025 · Flower Gardens | LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 2.3 lb | 1998 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
Good panfish.
In the app
Point the camera at a cottonwick 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 cottonwick
How many cottonwick can you keep?
Florida (Atlantic): No specific bag limit; Georgia: No specific bag limit; North Carolina: No specific bag limit; South Carolina: No specific bag limit.
What is the record cottonwick?
2.4 lb in Louisiana (2025), Flower Gardens. Other states’ records are in the table.