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Species · Inshore

Southern Kingfish

Menticirrhus americanus

Rules in 2 state rulebooks, checked Oct 29, 2026. Every rule names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

Studio photograph of a Southern Kingfish (Menticirrhus americanus), side view, on a white background

How to tell it

Chin barbel, no air bladder croaks here — the surf 'sea mullet'.

Rules for

Every state

StateSizeBagSeasonToday
MississippiNo size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundMS DMR 2026 · checked Open
South CarolinaNo size limit50/day aggregateOpen 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

StateWeightWhen, whereSource
Alabama3 lb2001Outdoor Alabama Saltwater State Records · checked 2026-08-23
Delaware4 lb1973DNREC Delaware Fishing Records · checked 2026-08-23
Florida2.8 lb2021 · Santa Rosa BeachFWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23
Georgia2 lb 4 oz1975GA DNR CRD Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-23
Louisiana1.34 lb2014 · China PassLOWA Louisiana State Fish Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23
Maryland2.5 lb1975 · Assateague IslandMD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23
Mississippi2 lb 0.84 oz2017MDMR State Saltwater Records (Conventional) · checked 2026-08-23
North Carolina3 lb 8 oz1971 · Bogue Banks PierNCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-23
South Carolina2 lb 12 oz1976 · GeorgetownSCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23
Texas3.62 lb1992 · Gulf of AmericaTPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23

On the table

Very good surf panfish.

Related fish

Same genus (Menticirrhus): Gulf Kingfish, Northern Kingfish.

Side by side: Southern Kingfish vs Gulf Kingfish, Southern Kingfish vs Northern Kingfish.

In the app

Point the camera at a southern 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.

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Questions anglers ask about southern kingfish

How many southern kingfish can you keep?

South Carolina: 50/day aggregate.

What is the record southern kingfish?

4 lb in Delaware (1973). Other states’ records are in the table.