Black sea bassin North Carolina
Centropristis striata
Also called Sea bass.
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for black sea bass in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
Area split at Cape Hatteras (35 15.0321 N); both areas open on 2026-08-21; southern rules per snapper-grouper proclamation FF-10-2026.
Measured as total length (TL): snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
NC DMF 2026· checked Open
Beyond 3 miles: federal waters
A different rule past the 3-mile line, written by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Where the two differ, the water you are in decides.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
North Carolina state record
8 lb 12 oz, Off Oregon Inlet, 1979. NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22
How to tell it
Blue-black with pale barred cheeks; big males show a blue nape hump and fin trailers. More on the black sea bass page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Black sea bass in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a black sea bass in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appBlack sea bass in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for black sea bass in North Carolina?
13 in TL min (both areas). Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail lobes squeezed together.
How many black sea bass can you keep in North Carolina?
15/day N of Cape Hatteras; 7/day S of Cape Hatteras.
When is black sea bass season in North Carolina?
N of Hatteras: May 15 - Sep 30 & Oct 10 - Dec 31; S of Hatteras: open year-round.
What is the North Carolina record black sea bass?
8 lb 12 oz, Off Oregon Inlet (1979).
How current is this North Carolina black sea bass rule?
Source: NC DMF 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.