The Raleigh Salt Water Sportfishing Club

Impressive catch by Dan Dionne surf fishing on Hatteras Island on a fairly light surf outfit. 6’ butterfly ray.

Feb. 27, 2026

REMINDER: Sheepshead regulations to change March 1

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries is reminding fishermen that Sheepshead regulations will change for both recreational and commercial fisheries beginning March 1. The Division is implementing changes because of increases in sheepshead harvest, particularly juvenile fish, in recent years.

Recreational Regulations

Size Limit: 14-inch total length minimum size limit
Bag Limit: Five fish per person per day
Commercial Regulations

Size Limit: 14-inch total length minimum size limit
Trip Limits:
Pound Nets — 1,500 pounds per operation per day
Gigs and Spears — 10 fish per person per day or trip (including trips that occur over more than one calendar day)
Other Gears — 300 pounds per trip
The size limit should no longer be measured as fork length (from the tip of the snout to the fork in the tail). The new regulations require measuring total length (from the tip of the snout to the longest part of the tail when pinched together as illustrated below).

The measurement changes align with regulations for Black Drum, a similar-looking species commonly caught alongside Sheepshead. Aligning the measurement point for the two species simplifies regulations for the public.

How to measure a Sheepshead illustration


The Division considered public input provided during the fall public comment period in determining management changes.

For more detailed information, see Proclamation FF-14-2026 or visit the Proactive Sheepshead Management webpage on the Division’s website.

For More Information
Contact: Patricia Smith
Phone: 252-515-5500

🎣 Next Club Meeting – Tuesday, July 15 @ 7 PM!
📍 Laurel Hills Community Center, Raleigh

Join us for our next RSWSC meeting featuring Ben Ricks, one of the hosts of the Two Bald Biologists podcast! You won’t want to miss his insights into local fisheries and marine life.

🎟️ We’ll also be raffling off an inshore/nearsore fishing charter—make sure you're there for a chance to win!

🎣 In memory of longtime member Paul Tew, his wife will be selling some of his fishing gear exclusively to club members. Stop by and see Chris at the meeting to browse the equipment.

🤝 Instead of a group outing this July, we’re encouraging members to team up with someone new from the club for a day on the water. It’s a great way to connect and learn from each other!

🐟 Good luck to everyone fishing in the Spanish Mackerel outing this Saturday!

Two Bald Biologists Podcast | NC Wildlife Two Bald Biologists Podcast Better Fishingwith2 Bald Biologists PodcastAvid anglers Corey Oakley and Ben Ricks are N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission biologists. Listen in as they help anglers understand more about the fish and fisheries in North Carolina while promoting conservation of valuable na...

Hi everyone! Patrick Hsiao is putting together a charter group with Top Gun for July 3rd and is looking for a 5th person to join. If you’re interested, please reach out to Patrick directly. Comment below if you want to connect with him! 🎣