Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) · Texas lists none of its own
HMS Angling permit required. Retention limits are adjusted in-season by NOAA — verify the current limit before keeping a fish.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Texas state record
TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Massive girth, short pectoral fins that don't reach the second dorsal. More on the Atlantic bluefin tuna page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for Atlantic bluefin tuna in Texas?
27" curved FL min; keepable slot 27–<73". Measured as curved fork length: snout to the fork of the tail, along the curve of the body.
How many Atlantic bluefin tuna can you keep in Texas?
Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026.
When is Atlantic bluefin tuna season in Texas?
Open under in-season limits.
What is the Texas record Atlantic bluefin tuna?
884 lb, Gulf of America (2025).
How current is this Texas Atlantic bluefin tuna rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 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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