Where to fish for gray triggerfish
248 charters name gray triggerfish on their own website, across 97 towns in 2 states.
State records for gray triggerfish
The heaviest gray triggerfish each state has certified, biggest first.
| State | Weight | Where | Year | Angler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 13.56 lb | Murrells Inlet | 1989 | J. Hiltonsource |
| Alabama | 13.5 lb | — | 1993 | Robby Myerssource |
| Florida | 13.25 lb | Pensacola | 2012 | Kenneth Bakersource |
| Texas | 12.46 lb | Gulf of Mexico | 1996 | Jason Waligurasource |
| Louisiana | 12.4 lb | Ship Shoal | 2015 | Chad Bonvillainsource |
| North Carolina | 11.38 lb | Morehead City | 1992 | Annette F. Carricosource |
| Mississippi | 11.25 lb | — | 2013 | Cecily O'Briensource |
| Georgia | 11.19 lb | — | 1989 | Dean Williamssource |
| New York | 7.63 lb | — | 10/3 | Steven Newman, Montauk, NYsource |
| New Jersey | 6.69 lb | Sea Girt Reef | 2016 | James Massiminosource |
| Delaware | 6.31 lb | — | 2012 | Buddy J. Mastensource |
| Maryland | 6 lb | Ocean City | 2020 | Logan Liddicksource |
Each from that state's own records page, linked on every row. A location links to its town only where the agency named that town — a record logged to "Gulf of Mexico" or an offshore block belongs to no city. Weights are printed as the agency prints them. Records are certified by the state and can be broken at any time.
How big gray triggerfish run
Federal interviewers measured 1,653 of them on charter trips between 2022–2024. The middle half ran 12.2–17.1 inches, with a median of 14.5 inches.
Separately, MRIP's catch records for those trips count 4,389 released against 2,226 kept — more put back than taken, which is what a closed season or a tight limit looks like. That is a different tally from the fish that were measured, not a breakdown of them.
- Florida15" median, 982 measured
- North Carolina13.7" median, 552 measured
NOAA Fisheries MRIP dockside interviews, 2022–2024. A sample of the fish boats brought in, not a total, and not a forecast for any one trip.
About the fish
From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.
Which rules apply to your trip
- Gulf or Atlantic decides almost everything: size, limit and season are all different.
- In Gulf federal waters, the season can close early if a quota closure is announced, so check before a trip.
- Fishing from a private boat, you need FWC's State Reef Fish Angler designation, renewed annually. Reef fish gear rules apply; in state waters that includes a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready for use.
Harvest rules
When can you keep one in Florida?
Seasons and limits are set state by state, and these are Florida's. Gray Triggerfish is caught by charters in 2 states on this page; ask your captain which rules apply where you are fishing.
Gulf
Gulf state and federal waters.
- All anglersOpen March 1 to May 31 and August 1 to December 31FWC. Federal waters close January 1 to the end of February and June 1 to July 31, and can close early if an in-season closure is announced.
Atlantic
Atlantic state waters. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park.
- State watersOpen year roundFWC.
Questions about gray triggerfish
How big does a triggerfish have to be?
15 inches fork length in the Gulf and 12 inches in the Atlantic.
How many can I keep?
1 per person in the Gulf and 10 per person in the Atlantic.
When is Gulf triggerfish open?
March 1 to May 31 and August 1 to December 31 in Gulf state and federal waters, per FWC; in federal waters the season can close early if a quota closure is announced.
Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, triggerfish regulations and FWC, Gulf gray triggerfish 2026 and NOAA Fisheries, Gulf regulations and seasonal closures and FWC, reef fish gear rules and FWC, gray triggerfish profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.