Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
5-per-person limit applies from shore, private, and for-hire vessels.
VMRC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
2026 bag limits raised by 2 fish (from 3/5) effective early 2026; no federal size limit.
NOAA GARFO / MAFMC 2026 · checked 2026-09-20
Virginia state record
VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Chopper jaw full of visible teeth, greenish back, forked tail; snapping at everything. More on the bluefish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for bluefish in Virginia?
No size limit.
How many bluefish can you keep in Virginia?
5 per person.
When is bluefish season in Virginia?
Open year-round.
What is the Virginia record bluefish?
25 lb 4 oz, Bluefish Rock (1986).
How current is this Virginia bluefish rule?
Source: VMRC 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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