NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament The North Carolina Saltwater Fishing Tournament, also known as the Citation Program, recognizes exceptional catches of North Carolina’s most popular sport fish. The tournament runs from January 1 to December 31 each year and is open to any angler, except those who captain or work on a for-hire vessel or those who sell their fish. To qualify for a citation, the fish must be caught on hook-and-line and landed without the use of electric or hydraulic equipment. The fish must meet program size requirements, be weighed at an official weigh station and then recorded on an official application form. For release citations, an angler or mate must touch the fish or the leader. Saltwater Fishing Tournament FAQs Current N.C. Saltwater Records Rules To be eligible for an award, all applications must be received by January 15 of the following year. For example, for a fish caught in the year 2021, the citation application must be received no later than January 15, 2022. Fish shall be caught in accordance with North Carolina State and Federal laws and regulations as well as the N.C. Saltwater Fishing Tournament rules. Everyone is eligible except a charter boat captain or a crewman of a for-hire boat or anyone who offers fish for sale. Weighmasters or their employees are eligible for awards, provided a witness signs verification. Eligible waters include all North Carolina sounds, estuaries, surf and the Atlantic Ocean. No registration fee is required. Certificate Qualifications All fish must be caught on hook and line and landed or brought to gaff or net by the angler. No electric or hydraulic equipment is allowed. Fish must be weighed by an authorized weighmaster (or his/her representative) at an official weigh station. Each fish must be recorded on an official application form, signed by the angler and by a weighmaster. Snagged, mutilated, scaled, speared, frozen, or shot fish are not eligible. The weighmaster reserves the right to cut, open, or mark the fish after it has been weighed. Release Rules Angler or mate must touch the fish or the leader. Application must be completed with exception of length and weight (false albacore, amberjack, atlantic bonito, barracuda, cobia, black drum, jack crevalle, king mackerel, shark, striped bass, gray trout, speckled trout and red drum must have the length recorded). A witness must sign the application. Apply for a Release Citation online Minimum Weights and Release Lengths Read and print the Tournament Requirements Species Minimum Weight (Harvested) Minimum Length (Released) Albacore, False Release Only 34 inches Amberjack 50 lbs. 50 inches Barracuda Release Only 45 inches Bass, Black Sea 4 lbs. N/A Bluefish 15 lbs. 34 inches Cobia 40 lbs. 36 inches Croaker 1.5 lbs. N/A Dolphin 35 lbs. N/A Drum, Black Release Only 40 inches Drum, Red Release Only 40 inches Gag Grouper 20 lbs. N/A Jack, Crevalle Release Only 32 inches Mackerel, King 30 lbs. 45 inches Mackerel, Spanish 6 lbs. N/A Marlin, Blue 400 lbs. Any Length Marlin, White Release Only Any Length Mullet, Sea 2 lbs. N/A Pompano, Florida 2 lbs. N/A Porgy (Silver Snapper) 4 lbs. N/A Sailfish Release Only Any Length Shark Release Only 80 inches Sheepshead 8 lbs. N/A Spearfish Release Only Any Length Spot 1 lb N/A Swordfish 50 lbs. Any Length Tarpon Release Only Any Length Tilefish, Gray 12 lbs. N/A Triggerfish 5 lbs. N/A Trout, Gray 5 lbs. 24 inches Trout, Speckled 5 lbs. 24 inches Tuna, Bigeye 100 lbs. N/A Tuna, Blackfin 25 lbs. N/A Tuna, Bluefin 200 lbs. 70 inches Tuna, Yellowfin 70 lbs. N/A Wahoo 40 lbs. N/A Official Weigh Station List Printable Official Weigh Station List City Location and Contact Info Atlantic Morris Marina 252-225-4261 Atlantic Beach Anchorage Marina - Atlantic Beach 252-726-4423 Atlantic Beach Captain Stacy Fishing Center 252-726-4675 Atlantic Beach Chasin' Tails Outdoors 252-240-3474 Atlantic Beach Fisherman's Inn 252-726-2273 Atlantic Beach Freeman's Discount Bait & Tackle 252-726-2607 Atlantic Beach Saltwater Bait and Tackle 252-240-2744 Avon Avon Pier 252-995-3862 Avon Frank & Fran's 252-995-4171 Beaufort Jarrett Bay Boatworks 252-728-2690 Beaufort Town Creek Marina 252-728-6111 Buxton Dillon's Corner 252-995-5083 Buxton Red Drum Tackle Shop 252-995-5414 Cape Lookout Cape Lookout National Seashore 252-728-2250 Carolina Beach B & B Bait & Tackle 910-458-4644 Carolina Beach Island True Value Tackle & Hardware 910-458-3049 Cedar Point Neuse Sport Shop 252-393-1599 Corolla Corolla Bait & Tackle 252-453-9500 Duck Bob's Bait & Tackle 252-261-8589 Frisco Frisco Rod & Gun 252-995-5366 Frisco Frisco Tackle 252-995-4361 Goldsboro E-Z Bait & Tackle 919-736-2488 Grantsboro Neuse River Bait & Tackle 252-745-0708 Greenville Greenville Marine 252-758-5938 Hampstead Eastern Outfitters 910-270-2823 Harkers Island Barbour's Marina / Cape Point Marina 252-728-6181 Harkers Island Harkers Island Fishing Center 252-728-3907 Hatteras Hatteras Harbor Marina 252-986-2166 Hatteras Hatteras Landing Marina 252-986-2205 Hatteras Hatteras Marlin Club 252-986-2454 Hatteras Oden's Dock 252-986-2555 Hatteras Teach's Lair Marina 252-986-2460 Hatteras Village Marina 252-986-2522 Jacksonville Eastern Outfitters 910-347-4868 Jacksonville Tideline Marine, Inc. 910-455-2979 Kill Devil Hills Avalon Fishing Pier 252-441-7494 Kill Devil Hills Stop 'N Shop Convience & Deli 252-441-6105 Kinston Neuse Sport Shop 252-527-3230 Kitty Hawk TW's Bait & Tackle - Kitty Hawk 252-261-7848 Kure Beach Kure Beach Pier 910-458-5524 Manteo Oregon Inlet Fishing Center 252-441-6301 Manteo Pirate's Cove 252-473-3906 Minnesott Beach Minnesott Beach Bait & Tackle 252-249-1786 Morehead City Carolina Princess Dock 252-726-5479 Morehead City EJW Bicycle & Sport Shop 252-247-4725 Morehead City Portside Marina 252-726-7678 Nags Head Nags Head Fishing Pier 252-441-5141 Nags Head Outer Banks Pier & Fishing Center 252-441-7413 Nags Head TW's Bait & Tackle - Nags Head 252-441-4807 Nags Head Jennette's Pier 252-255-1501 Nags Head Ocean's East Bait & Tackle 252-441-7413 New Bern Custom Fabrication & Sports 252-638-2920 Newport Goose Creek Marine 252-393-2779 Oak Island Ocean Crest Motel & Pier 910-278-6674 Oak Island Oak Island Pier 910-278-6464 Oak Island Oak Island Sporting Goods 910-278-9872 Oak Island Wildlife Bait & Tackle 910-457-9903 Ocean Isle Beach Ocean Isle Fishing Center 910-575-3474 Ocean Isle Beach Sheffield's Seafood & Grocery 910-579-9615 Ocracoke Anchorage Marina - Ocracoke 252-928-1101 Ocracoke Tradewinds Tackle Shop 252-928-5491 Rodanthe Hatteras Jack 252-987-2428 Rodanthe Rodanthe Pier 252-987-2323 Rodanthe The Fishin' Hole 252-987-2351 Sneeds Ferry Yopp Brothers 910-327-2088 Southport Dutchman Creek Bait & Tackle 910-457-1221 Supply Holden Beach Marina 910-842-5447 Supply Robinsons Hardware 910-540-4343 Surf City East Coast Sports 910-328-1887 Surf City Herrings Outdoor Sports 910-328-3291 Surf City One Stop Bait & Tackle 910-328-1161 Swansboro Dudley's Marina, Inc. 252-393-2204 Topsail Beach Jolly Roger Pier 910-328-4616 Vandamere Squidders Supply Store 252-670-2450 Wanchese Outer Banks Marina 252-473-9991 Wanchese Thicket Lump Marina 252-473-4500 Wanchese Wanchese Marina 252-475-0787 Washington East Side Bait & Tackle 252-946-2186 Wilmington Fisherman's Post 910-452-6378 Wilmington Intracoastal Angler 910-392-3500 Wilmington Tex's Tackle & Bait 910-791-1763 Wrightsville Beach Johnnie Mercer's Fishing Pier 910-256-2743 Wrightsville Beach Motts Channel Seafood 910-256-3474 Wrightsville Beach The Bridge Tender Marina 910-256-6550 Wrightsville Beach Wrightsville Beach Marina 910-256-6666
NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament The North Carolina Saltwater Fishing Tournament, also known as the Citation Program, recognizes exceptional catches of North Carolina’s most popular sport fish. The tournament runs from January 1 to December 31 each year and is open to any angler, except those who captain or work on a for-hire vessel or those who sell their fish. To qualify for a citation, the fish must be caught on hook-and-line and landed without the use of electric or hydraulic equipment. The fish must meet program size requirements, be weighed at an official weigh station and then recorded on an official application form. For release citations, an angler or mate must touch the fish or the leader. Saltwater Fishing Tournament FAQs Current N.C. Saltwater Records Rules To be eligible for an award, all applications must be received by January 15 of the following year. For example, for a fish caught in the year 2021, the citation application must be received no later than January 15, 2022. Fish shall be caught in accordance with North Carolina State and Federal laws and regulations as well as the N.C. Saltwater Fishing Tournament rules. Everyone is eligible except a charter boat captain or a crewman of a for-hire boat or anyone who offers fish for sale. Weighmasters or their employees are eligible for awards, provided a witness signs verification. Eligible waters include all North Carolina sounds, estuaries, surf and the Atlantic Ocean. No registration fee is required. Certificate Qualifications All fish must be caught on hook and line and landed or brought to gaff or net by the angler. No electric or hydraulic equipment is allowed. Fish must be weighed by an authorized weighmaster (or his/her representative) at an official weigh station. Each fish must be recorded on an official application form, signed by the angler and by a weighmaster. Snagged, mutilated, scaled, speared, frozen, or shot fish are not eligible. The weighmaster reserves the right to cut, open, or mark the fish after it has been weighed. Release Rules Angler or mate must touch the fish or the leader. Application must be completed with exception of length and weight (false albacore, amberjack, atlantic bonito, barracuda, cobia, black drum, jack crevalle, king mackerel, shark, striped bass, gray trout, speckled trout and red drum must have the length recorded). A witness must sign the application. Apply for a Release Citation online Minimum Weights and Release Lengths Read and print the Tournament Requirements Species Minimum Weight (Harvested) Minimum Length (Released) Albacore, False Release Only 34 inches Amberjack 50 lbs. 50 inches Barracuda Release Only 45 inches Bass, Black Sea 4 lbs. N/A Bluefish 15 lbs. 34 inches Cobia 40 lbs. 36 inches Croaker 1.5 lbs. N/A Dolphin 35 lbs. N/A Drum, Black Release Only 40 inches Drum, Red Release Only 40 inches Gag Grouper 20 lbs. N/A Jack, Crevalle Release Only 32 inches Mackerel, King 30 lbs. 45 inches Mackerel, Spanish 6 lbs. N/A Marlin, Blue 400 lbs. Any Length Marlin, White Release Only Any Length Mullet, Sea 2 lbs. N/A Pompano, Florida 2 lbs. N/A Porgy (Silver Snapper) 4 lbs. N/A Sailfish Release Only Any Length Shark Release Only 80 inches Sheepshead 8 lbs. N/A Spearfish Release Only Any Length Spot 1 lb N/A Swordfish 50 lbs. Any Length Tarpon Release Only Any Length Tilefish, Gray 12 lbs. N/A Triggerfish 5 lbs. N/A Trout, Gray 5 lbs. 24 inches Trout, Speckled 5 lbs. 24 inches Tuna, Bigeye 100 lbs. N/A Tuna, Blackfin 25 lbs. N/A Tuna, Bluefin 200 lbs. 70 inches Tuna, Yellowfin 70 lbs. N/A Wahoo 40 lbs. N/A Official Weigh Station List Printable Official Weigh Station List City Location and Contact Info Atlantic Morris Marina 252-225-4261 Atlantic Beach Anchorage Marina - Atlantic Beach 252-726-4423 Atlantic Beach Captain Stacy Fishing Center 252-726-4675 Atlantic Beach Chasin' Tails Outdoors 252-240-3474 Atlantic Beach Fisherman's Inn 252-726-2273 Atlantic Beach Freeman's Discount Bait & Tackle 252-726-2607 Atlantic Beach Saltwater Bait and Tackle 252-240-2744 Avon Avon Pier 252-995-3862 Avon Frank & Fran's 252-995-4171 Beaufort Jarrett Bay Boatworks 252-728-2690 Beaufort Town Creek Marina 252-728-6111 Buxton Dillon's Corner 252-995-5083 Buxton Red Drum Tackle Shop 252-995-5414 Cape Lookout Cape Lookout National Seashore 252-728-2250 Carolina Beach B & B Bait & Tackle 910-458-4644 Carolina Beach Island True Value Tackle & Hardware 910-458-3049 Cedar Point Neuse Sport Shop 252-393-1599 Corolla Corolla Bait & Tackle 252-453-9500 Duck Bob's Bait & Tackle 252-261-8589 Frisco Frisco Rod & Gun 252-995-5366 Frisco Frisco Tackle 252-995-4361 Goldsboro E-Z Bait & Tackle 919-736-2488 Grantsboro Neuse River Bait & Tackle 252-745-0708 Greenville Greenville Marine 252-758-5938 Hampstead Eastern Outfitters 910-270-2823 Harkers Island Barbour's Marina / Cape Point Marina 252-728-6181 Harkers Island Harkers Island Fishing Center 252-728-3907 Hatteras Hatteras Harbor Marina 252-986-2166 Hatteras Hatteras Landing Marina 252-986-2205 Hatteras Hatteras Marlin Club 252-986-2454 Hatteras Oden's Dock 252-986-2555 Hatteras Teach's Lair Marina 252-986-2460 Hatteras Village Marina 252-986-2522 Jacksonville Eastern Outfitters 910-347-4868 Jacksonville Tideline Marine, Inc. 910-455-2979 Kill Devil Hills Avalon Fishing Pier 252-441-7494 Kill Devil Hills Stop 'N Shop Convience & Deli 252-441-6105 Kinston Neuse Sport Shop 252-527-3230 Kitty Hawk TW's Bait & Tackle - Kitty Hawk 252-261-7848 Kure Beach Kure Beach Pier 910-458-5524 Manteo Oregon Inlet Fishing Center 252-441-6301 Manteo Pirate's Cove 252-473-3906 Minnesott Beach Minnesott Beach Bait & Tackle 252-249-1786 Morehead City Carolina Princess Dock 252-726-5479 Morehead City EJW Bicycle & Sport Shop 252-247-4725 Morehead City Portside Marina 252-726-7678 Nags Head Nags Head Fishing Pier 252-441-5141 Nags Head Outer Banks Pier & Fishing Center 252-441-7413 Nags Head TW's Bait & Tackle - Nags Head 252-441-4807 Nags Head Jennette's Pier 252-255-1501 Nags Head Ocean's East Bait & Tackle 252-441-7413 New Bern Custom Fabrication & Sports 252-638-2920 Newport Goose Creek Marine 252-393-2779 Oak Island Ocean Crest Motel & Pier 910-278-6674 Oak Island Oak Island Pier 910-278-6464 Oak Island Oak Island Sporting Goods 910-278-9872 Oak Island Wildlife Bait & Tackle 910-457-9903 Ocean Isle Beach Ocean Isle Fishing Center 910-575-3474 Ocean Isle Beach Sheffield's Seafood & Grocery 910-579-9615 Ocracoke Anchorage Marina - Ocracoke 252-928-1101 Ocracoke Tradewinds Tackle Shop 252-928-5491 Rodanthe Hatteras Jack 252-987-2428 Rodanthe Rodanthe Pier 252-987-2323 Rodanthe The Fishin' Hole 252-987-2351 Sneeds Ferry Yopp Brothers 910-327-2088 Southport Dutchman Creek Bait & Tackle 910-457-1221 Supply Holden Beach Marina 910-842-5447 Supply Robinsons Hardware 910-540-4343 Surf City East Coast Sports 910-328-1887 Surf City Herrings Outdoor Sports 910-328-3291 Surf City One Stop Bait & Tackle 910-328-1161 Swansboro Dudley's Marina, Inc. 252-393-2204 Topsail Beach Jolly Roger Pier 910-328-4616 Vandamere Squidders Supply Store 252-670-2450 Wanchese Outer Banks Marina 252-473-9991 Wanchese Thicket Lump Marina 252-473-4500 Wanchese Wanchese Marina 252-475-0787 Washington East Side Bait & Tackle 252-946-2186 Wilmington Fisherman's Post 910-452-6378 Wilmington Intracoastal Angler 910-392-3500 Wilmington Tex's Tackle & Bait 910-791-1763 Wrightsville Beach Johnnie Mercer's Fishing Pier 910-256-2743 Wrightsville Beach Motts Channel Seafood 910-256-3474 Wrightsville Beach The Bridge Tender Marina 910-256-6550 Wrightsville Beach Wrightsville Beach Marina 910-256-6666