Weakfish
Cynoscion regalis
Also called Gray trout, Squeteague.
How to tell it
Small spots in diagonal rows along the back, yellow-tinged fins, sea-trout body.
Often mistaken for
One fish that gets called weakfish, and what gives it away.
- Spotted seatrout: Bigger scattered spots reaching the tail. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 16" minimum | 1 per angler | Open year-roundCT DEEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| Delaware | 13 in min | 1 per day | Open year-roundDE DNREC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | No size limit | 100 lb per person | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | No size limit | 100 lb per person | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Georgia | 13 in total length | 1 per person per day | Open year-roundGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maryland | 13 in min | 1 | Open year-roundMD DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Massachusetts | 16" min | 1 fish | Open year-roundMA DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Jersey | 13 in min | 1 | Open year-roundNJ DEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| New York | 16" | 1 | Open year-roundNY DEC 2026 · checked | Open |
| North Carolina | 12 in TL min | 1/day | Open year-roundNC DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| Rhode Island | 16" min | 1/person/day | Open year-roundRI DEM 2026 · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | 12 in total length | 1/day | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Virginia | 12 in min | 1 per person | Open year-roundVMRC 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Texas: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 17 lb 14 oz | 1986 · Fayerweather Island | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Delaware | 19 lb 2 oz | 1989 | DNREC Delaware Fishing Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Florida | 10 lb | 1987 · Port Canaveral | FWC Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Maryland | 16.5 lb | 1979 · Nanticoke River | MD DNR Sport Fish State Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Massachusetts | 18 lb 12 oz | 1984 · Buzzards Bay | MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New Jersey | 18 lb 8 oz | 1986 · Delaware Bay | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
| New York | 19 lb 2 oz | 1984 | NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records · checked 2026-09-04 |
| North Carolina | 14 lb 14 oz | 1980 · Nags Head surf | NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22 |
| Rhode Island | 16 lb 8.72 oz | 2007 · Greenwich Bay | RI DEM Saltwater Sportfish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| South Carolina | 11 lb 13 oz | 1981 · Parris Island | SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23 |
| Virginia | 19 lb | 1983 · Ches. Bay Br. Tunnel | VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04 |
How anglers catch it
Soft plastics and bucktails in the channels at dusk; shrimp or worms drifted along the bottom.
On the table
Very good but soft — eat fresh, doesn't freeze well.
In the app
Point the camera at a weakfish 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 weakfish
What is the size limit for weakfish?
It depends on the state. Connecticut: 16" minimum; Delaware: 13 in min; Georgia: 13 in total length; Maryland: 13 in min; Massachusetts: 16" min; New Jersey: 13 in min; New York: 16"; North Carolina: 12 in TL min; and more in the table above.
How many weakfish can you keep?
Connecticut: 1 per angler; Delaware: 1 per day; Florida (Atlantic): 100 lb per person; Florida (Gulf): 100 lb per person; Georgia: 1 per person per day; Maryland: 1; Massachusetts: 1 fish; New Jersey: 1; and more in the table above.
How do you tell weakfish from spotted seatrout?
Weakfish: Small spots in diagonal rows along the back, yellow-tinged fins, sea-trout body. Spotted seatrout: bigger scattered spots reaching the tail.
How do you catch weakfish?
Soft plastics and bucktails in the channels at dusk; shrimp or worms drifted along the bottom. Methods: casting, bottom, drifting. Baits: shrimp, worm, squid, menhaden. Lures: soft plastic, bucktail, spoon.
What is the record weakfish?
19 lb 2 oz in Delaware (1989). Other states’ records are in the table.