Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
VMRC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Virginia state record
VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Blunt-headed wrasse in charcoal mottle; rubbery lips, crushing teeth. More on the tautog page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Tautog in other states9 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for tautog in Virginia?
16 in min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many tautog can you keep in Virginia?
4 per person.
When is tautog season in Virginia?
Open year-round except May 16 - Jun 30. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the Virginia record tautog?
24 lb 3 oz, Morgan Wreck (2012).
How current is this Virginia tautog 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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