Skipjack tunain North Carolina
Katsuwonus pelamis
Also called Skippy, Oceanic bonito.
The rule in North Carolina
Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). North Carolina lists no rule of its own for skipjack tuna, so the council's rule applies in state waters too.
The boat needs an HMS Angling permit to fish for Atlantic tunas.
NOAA HMS 2025· checked Open
Often mistaken for, and their North Carolina rules
Keep the wrong fish and the rule that applies is the other one’s.
| Fish | Size | Bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skipjack tunaThis page. | No size limit | No bag limit | Open year-round |
| False albacoreWavy marks on the back, spots under the pectoral.Tell them apart | Not listed by North Carolina: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit) | ||
| Atlantic bonitoStripes on the back, slimmer.Tell them apart | Not listed by North Carolina: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit) | ||
North Carolina state record
32 lb 5 oz, Gulf Stream off Hatteras, 2016. NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-22
How to tell it
Dark horizontal stripes on the BELLY — not the back; stout purple-backed football. More on the skipjack tuna page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Skipjack tuna in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a skipjack tuna in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appSkipjack tuna in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for skipjack tuna in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many skipjack tuna can you keep in North Carolina?
No bag limit.
When is skipjack tuna season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
What is the North Carolina record skipjack tuna?
32 lb 5 oz, Gulf Stream off Hatteras (2016).
How current is this North Carolina skipjack tuna rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 2025, 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.