Mississippi state waters, out to 3 miles
MS DMR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
The water you are in decides. the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council writes the rule past the line.
NOAA SERO 2026 / Gulf Council 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
Often mistaken for
Greater amberjackGrows far larger, stronger eye stripe. Tell them apart
Almaco jackDeeper body, tall sickle dorsal. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Small seriola: juveniles banded, adults show a white-edged tail; often mis-called amberjack. More on the banded rudderfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Banded rudderfish in other states9 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for banded rudderfish in Mississippi?
14–22 in fork length slot. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many banded rudderfish can you keep in Mississippi?
5 per person per day (combined with Lesser Amberjack). Counts toward the Lesser Amberjack/Banded Rudderfish combined aggregate.
When is banded rudderfish season in Mississippi?
Open year-round.
How current is this Mississippi banded rudderfish rule?
Source: MS DMR 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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