Recreational Atlantic Billfish Fishery Statuses, Minimum Sizes, and Bag Limits
Check if Atlantic billfish fisheries are open and review minimum sizes and retention limits.
Current Requirements
Minimum sizes and bag limits for billfish vary by species. This page is kept up to date with changing statuses and retention limits. Additional requirements may be applicable. View the HMS Recreational Compliance Guide for details.
Species | Fishery Status | Minimum Size (lower-jaw fork length) | Bag Limit* |
|---|---|---|---|
Blue marlin | Open | 99” | No limit** |
White marlin | Open | 66” | No limit** |
Roundscale spearfish | Open | 66” | No limit** |
Sailfish | Open | 63” | No limit** |
*U.S. total landings of blue marlin, white marlin, and roundscale spearfish combined are limited to 250 annually. Find landings updates.
**Billfish cannot be retained if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is already on board or has been offloaded from the vessel.
Permits
Vessels must have a valid HMS Angling or HMS Charterboat/Headboat permit to fish for Atlantic billfish. The permit covers everyone fishing on that vessel. Tournament vessels may instead fish these species with an Atlantic Tunas General category or Swordfish General Commercial permit.
Measurement
Measure lower-jaw fork length in a straight line from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the tail.
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