Gulf Kingfish
Menticirrhus littoralis
Also called Whiting, Gulf whiting.
How to tell it
The palest kingfish — plain silver with a dusky tail tip and chin barbel; lives in the wash.
Often mistaken for
Two fish that get called Gulf kingfish, and what gives each one away.
- Southern kingfish: Gray-barred, not plain silver. Tell them apart
- Northern kingfish: Bold bars and a shoulder V. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | No size limit | 50/day aggregate | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3 lb | 2001 | Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Delaware | 4 lb | 1973 | DNREC Delaware Fishing Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 2.8 lb | 2021 · Santa Rosa Beach | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Georgia | 2 lb 4 oz | 1975 | GA DNR CRD Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Louisiana | 2.18 lb | 2021 · Grand Isle Surf | LOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maryland | 2.5 lb | 1975 · Assateague Island | MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Mississippi | 2 lb | 2014 | MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| North Carolina | 3 lb 13 oz | 2020 · Kure Beach | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| South Carolina | 2 lb 12 oz | 1976 · Georgetown | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Texas | 2.38 lb | 1995 · Gulf of America | TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23 |
On the table
Very good — classic surf panfish.
In the app
Point the camera at a Gulf kingfish 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 Gulf kingfish
How many Gulf kingfish can you keep?
South Carolina: 50/day aggregate.
How do you tell Gulf kingfish from southern kingfish?
Gulf Kingfish: The palest kingfish — plain silver with a dusky tail tip and chin barbel; lives in the wash. Southern kingfish: gray-barred, not plain silver.
What is the record Gulf kingfish?
4 lb in Delaware (1973). Other states’ records are in the table.