Caulolatilus microps , also known as Tilefish, Gray tilefish. Tilefish are found Maine to Campeche, Mexico on the outer continental shelves, shelf breaks, and upper slopes. The tilefish fishery in the Greater Atlantic Region of the U.S. is ma
Source: Species facts, status language, and imagery adapted from the NOAA Fisheries species profile (last updated 07/02/2026). Ocean City charter and Maryland
record notes are editorial orientation for OCEANCITY.MD readers. Always confirm current seasons, sizes, and
bag limits before you fish—rules change.
Tilefish are found Maine to Campeche, Mexico on the outer continental shelves, shelf breaks, and upper slopes. The tilefish fishery in the Greater Atlantic Region of the U.S. is managed from Maine through Virginia, with the majority of the fishery concentrated between Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, south to Cape May, New Jersey; more specifically between Hudson and Veatch Canyons. The commercial fishery predominantly uses longline gear, although handline, rod and reel, and trawl gear are also authorized. The recreational fishery has no gear restrictions, but rod and reel and spear are the most common gears used based on the authorized possession limits. Market data is not yet available for the Mid-Atlantic tilefish fishery north of the VA/NC border. U.S. wild-caught tilefish is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations. Implementing regulations are found at 50 CFR part 648 subpart N.
Maryland record catch
Confirm whether Maryland DNR publishes an Atlantic state-record category for Blueline Tilefish on the current sport-fish record board.
Also known as blueline tilefish, they get this name from a narrow gold stripe underlined in blue that runs from their snout to the tip of their eye. They have a long snout and are a dull olive-gray on the top of their body and white on the bottom. They have long, continuous dorsal and anal fins that are more than half the length of their body. Unlike golden tilefish , they do not have a large adipose flap (crest) on their head. Biology Tilefish can grow to be 35 inches long and live up to 26 years. Males can grow larger than females. Female tilefish mature when they are about 3 years old. They can spawn year-round, but peak spawning is in May. Spawning primarily occurs at night. Females can lay more than 4 million free-floating eggs. Tilefish feed primarily on invertebrates that live near the sea floor, such as crabs, shrimp, snails, worms, sea urchins, and small fish. Recent genetic studies suggest that the U.S. Atlantic population of tilefish is continuous from the northeastern Gulf of America, around the Florida Keys, and up through the Mid-Atlantic region. Where They Live Range Tilefish are commonly found in the western Atlantic from Campeche, Mexico, to Hudson Canyon, off the coast of Maryland, including the eastern Gulf of America. There are reports of catches as far north as Maine and as far west as Texas. Habitat Tilefish typically live along the outer continental shelf, shelf break, and upper slope. They live on irregular bottom with ledges or crevices, and around boulders or rubble piles at depths of 98 to 774 feet where temperatures range from 59 to 73.4 ° F. They have been found to burrow head first into cone-shaped piles of sand and may also occupy existing holes and crevices. Fishery Management The Mid-Atlantic , South Atlantic , and Gulf Fishery Management Councils develop management measures for the tilefish fisheries in their respective jurisdictions. NOAA Fisheries is responsible for implementing and enforcing these measures. The Mid-Atlantic Tilefish Fishery Management Plan measures for tilefish include: Permit requirements for commercial and for-hire vessels. Annual catch limits for the commercial and recreational fisheries. Limits on commercial possession. The fishery is closed if the landing limit is harvested. Closed season and bag limit for recreational anglers. Private recreational vessels are required to have a vessel permit and report each trip they target or retain tilefish. The South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan measures for blueline tilefish include: Permit requirements. Annual catch limits. Limits on the number or pounds of blueline tilefish commercial and recreational fishermen may harvest during a fishing trip. Prohibition of longline gear in certain areas to protect snapper-grouper species and live-bottom habitat. For more information on current management, see the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office’s South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper page. The Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of America Fishery Management Plan blueline tilefish measures include: Annual catch limits for both the commercial and recreational fisheries. An Individual Fishing Quota program for the commercial fishery. Restrictions on the seasons, areas, and depths where longlines can be used, to protect reef fish, sea turtles, and bottom habitat. For more information on current management, see the Gulf of America reef fish page. Harvest Commercial fishery: In response to the stock assessment in 2013, more restrictive regulations were implemented in the South Atlantic’s Snapper-Grouper FMP and commercial landings declined by half. In 2017, management measures were developed by the Mid-Atlantic Council. In 2024, commercial landings of blueline tilefish totaled 193,000 pounds and were valued at $703,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen mainly use longline and vertical hook-and-line gear to harvest blueline tilefish. Sea turtles, marine mammals, smalltooth sawfish, and reef fishes can be incidentally caught while fishing for blueline tilefish. Commercial reef fish fishermen in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America must use “release gear” and follow safe-handling protocols to increase the chance of survival for incidentally caught protected species, like sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish . To further reduce bycatch, the use of trawl gear, fish traps, and bottom longlines are prohibited in certain areas of the South Atlantic, and several areas are also closed to all fishing to protect snapper and grouper species. To protect reef fish, sea turtles, and bottom habitat in the Gulf of America, there are restrictions on the areas and depths where longlines can be used. In the Gulf of America and certain areas of the South Atlantic, fishermen are required to use circle hooks to reduce injury to any unintentional catch. Recreational fishery: In 2024, recreational anglers caught 268,000 pounds of blueline tilefish. Charterboat/headboat reef fish fishermen in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America must use de-hooking devices and follow safe-handling protocols to increase the chance of survival for incidentally caught protected species, like sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish . In the Mid-Atlantic, for-hire vessels are required to have a permit and report catch, and recreational anglers can keep a limited number of blueline tilefish per fishing trip. In the South Atlantic, blueline tilefish are included in the daily aggregate grouper bag limit for recreational fishermen. In the Gulf of America, there is a limit on the number of reef fish, including blueline tilefish, that recreational fishermen can keep per day.
*Executive Order 14172, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” (Jan. 20, 2025), directs that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America. On August 7, 2025, NOAA Fisheries and the National Ocean Service amended regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect the renaming. The name change did not result in any changes to, and had no effect on the applicability or enforceability of, any existing regulations. This website continues to use “Gulf of Mexico” when quoting statutes or previously published materials.
Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Perciformes Family Malacanthidae Genus Caulolatilus Species microps Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 07/02/2026
Appearance
Tilefish can grow to be 35 inches long and live up to 26 years. Males can grow larger than females. Female tilefish mature when they are about 3 years old. They can spawn year-round, but peak spawning is in May. Spawning primarily occurs at night. Females can lay more than 4 million free-floating eggs. Tilefish feed primarily on invertebrates that live near the sea floor, such as crabs, shrimp, snails, worms, sea urchins, and small fish. Recent genetic studies suggest that the U.S. Atlantic population of tilefish is continuous from the northeastern Gulf of America, around the Florida Keys, and up through the Mid-Atlantic region. Where They Live Range Tilefish are commonly found in the western Atlantic from Campeche, Mexico, to Hudson Canyon, off the coast of Maryland, including the eastern Gulf of America. There are reports of catches as far north as Maine and as far west as Texas. Habitat Tilefish typically live along the outer continental shelf, shelf break, and upper slope. They live on irregular bottom with ledges or crevices, and around boulders or rubble piles at depths of 98 to 774 feet where temperatures range from 59 to 73.4 ° F. They have been found to burrow head first into cone-shaped piles of sand and may also occupy existing holes and crevices. Fishery Management The Mid-Atlantic , South Atlantic , and Gulf Fishery Management Councils develop management measures for the tilefish fisheries in their respective jurisdictions. NOAA Fisheries is responsible for implementing and enforcing these measures. The Mid-Atlantic Tilefish Fishery Management Plan measures for tilefish include: Permit requirements for commercial and for-hire vessels. Annual catch limits for the commercial and recreational fisheries. Limits on commercial possession. The fishery is closed if the landing limit is harvested. Closed season and bag limit for recreational anglers. Private recreational vessels are required to have a vessel permit and report each trip they target or retain tilefish. The South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan measures for blueline tilefish include: Permit requirements. Annual catch limits. Limits on the number or pounds of blueline tilefish commercial and recreational fishermen may harvest during a fishing trip. Prohibition of longline gear in certain areas to protect snapper-grouper species and live-bottom habitat. For more information on current management, see the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office’s South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper page. The Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of America Fishery Management Plan blueline tilefish measures include: Annual catch limits for both the commercial and recreational fisheries. An Individual Fishing Quota program for the commercial fishery. Restrictions on the seasons, areas, and depths where longlines can be used, to protect reef fish, sea turtles, and bottom habitat. For more information on current management, see the Gulf of America reef fish page. Harvest Commercial fishery: In response to the stock assessment in 2013, more restrictive regulations were implemented in the South Atlantic’s Snapper-Grouper FMP and commercial landings declined by half. In 2017, management measures were developed by the Mid-Atlantic Council. In 2024, commercial landings of blueline tilefish totaled 193,000 pounds and were valued at $703,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen mainly use longline and vertical hook-and-line gear to harvest blueline tilefish. Sea turtles, marine mammals, smalltooth sawfish, and reef fishes can be incidentally caught while fishing for blueline tilefish. Commercial reef fish fishermen in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America must use “release gear” and follow safe-handling protocols to increase the chance of survival for incidentally caught protected species, like sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish . To further reduce bycatch, the use of trawl gear, fish traps, and bottom longlines are prohibited in certain areas of the South Atlantic, and several areas are also closed to all fishing to protect snapper and grouper species. To protect reef fish, sea turtles, and bottom habitat in the Gulf of America, there are restrictions on the areas and depths where longlines can be used. In the Gulf of America and certain areas of the South Atlantic, fishermen are required to use circle hooks to reduce injury to any unintentional catch. Recreational fishery: In 2024, recreational anglers caught 268,000 pounds of blueline tilefish. Charterboat/headboat reef fish fishermen in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America must use de-hooking devices and follow safe-handling protocols to increase the chance of survival for incidentally caught protected species, like sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish . In the Mid-Atlantic, for-hire vessels are required to have a permit and report catch, and recreational anglers can keep a limited number of blueline tilefish per fishing trip. In the South Atlantic, blueline tilefish are included in the daily aggregate grouper bag limit for recreational fishermen. In the Gulf of America, there is a limit on the number of reef fish, including blueline tilefish, that recreational fishermen can keep per day.
*Executive Order 14172, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” (Jan. 20, 2025), directs that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America. On August 7, 2025, NOAA Fisheries and the National Ocean Service amended regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect the renaming. The name change did not result in any changes to, and had no effect on the applicability or enforceability of, any existing regulations. This website continues to use “Gulf of Mexico” when quoting statutes or previously published materials.
Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Perciformes Family Malacanthidae Genus Caulolatilus Species microps Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 07/02/2026
Biology
Tilefish are commonly found in the western Atlantic from Campeche, Mexico, to Hudson Canyon, off the coast of Maryland, including the eastern Gulf of America. There are reports of catches as far north as Maine and as far west as Texas. Habitat Tilefish typically live along the outer continental shelf, shelf break, and upper slope. They live on irregular bottom with ledges or crevices, and around boulders or rubble piles at depths of 98 to 774 feet where temperatures range from 59 to 73.4 ° F. They have been found to burrow head first into cone-shaped piles of sand and may also occupy existing holes and crevices. Fishery Management The Mid-Atlantic , South Atlantic , and Gulf Fishery Management Councils develop management measures for the tilefish fisheries in their respective jurisdictions. NOAA Fisheries is responsible for implementing and enforcing these measures. The Mid-Atlantic Tilefish Fishery Management Plan measures for tilefish include: Permit requirements for commercial and for-hire vessels. Annual catch limits for the commercial and recreational fisheries. Limits on commercial possession. The fishery is closed if the landing limit is harvested. Closed season and bag limit for recreational anglers. Private recreational vessels are required to have a vessel permit and report each trip they target or retain tilefish. The South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan measures for blueline tilefish include: Permit requirements. Annual catch limits. Limits on the number or pounds of blueline tilefish commercial and recreational fishermen may harvest during a fishing trip. Prohibition of longline gear in certain areas to protect snapper-grouper species and live-bottom habitat. For more information on current management, see the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office’s South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper page. The Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of America Fishery Management Plan blueline tilefish measures include: Annual catch limits for both the commercial and recreational fisheries. An Individual Fishing Quota program for the commercial fishery. Restrictions on the seasons, areas, and depths where longlines can be used, to protect reef fish, sea turtles, and bottom habitat. For more information on current management, see the Gulf of America reef fish page. Harvest Commercial fishery: In response to the stock assessment in 2013, more restrictive regulations were implemented in the South Atlantic’s Snapper-Grouper FMP and commercial landings declined by half. In 2017, management measures were developed by the Mid-Atlantic Council. In 2024, commercial landings of blueline tilefish totaled 193,000 pounds and were valued at $703,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen mainly use longline and vertical hook-and-line gear to harvest blueline tilefish. Sea turtles, marine mammals, smalltooth sawfish, and reef fishes can be incidentally caught while fishing for blueline tilefish. Commercial reef fish fishermen in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America must use “release gear” and follow safe-handling protocols to increase the chance of survival for incidentally caught protected species, like sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish . To further reduce bycatch, the use of trawl gear, fish traps, and bottom longlines are prohibited in certain areas of the South Atlantic, and several areas are also closed to all fishing to protect snapper and grouper species. To protect reef fish, sea turtles, and bottom habitat in the Gulf of America, there are restrictions on the areas and depths where longlines can be used. In the Gulf of America and certain areas of the South Atlantic, fishermen are required to use circle hooks to reduce injury to any unintentional catch. Recreational fishery: In 2024, recreational anglers caught 268,000 pounds of blueline tilefish. Charterboat/headboat reef fish fishermen in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America must use de-hooking devices and follow safe-handling protocols to increase the chance of survival for incidentally caught protected species, like sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish . In the Mid-Atlantic, for-hire vessels are required to have a permit and report catch, and recreational anglers can keep a limited number of blueline tilefish per fishing trip. In the South Atlantic, blueline tilefish are included in the daily aggregate grouper bag limit for recreational fishermen. In the Gulf of America, there is a limit on the number of reef fish, including blueline tilefish, that recreational fishermen can keep per day.
*Executive Order 14172, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” (Jan. 20, 2025), directs that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America. On August 7, 2025, NOAA Fisheries and the National Ocean Service amended regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect the renaming. The name change did not result in any changes to, and had no effect on the applicability or enforceability of, any existing regulations. This website continues to use “Gulf of Mexico” when quoting statutes or previously published materials.
Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Perciformes Family Malacanthidae Genus Caulolatilus Species microps Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 07/02/2026
Where they live
Range
Tilefish are commonly found in the western Atlantic from Campeche, Mexico, to Hudson Canyon, off the coast of Maryland, including the eastern Gulf of America. There are reports of catches as far north as Maine and as far west as Texas. Habitat Tilefish typically live along the outer continental shelf, shelf break, and upper slope. They live on irregular bottom with ledges or crevices, and around boulders or rubble piles at depths of 98 to 774 feet where temperatures range from 59 to 73.4 ° F. They have been found to burrow head first into cone-shaped piles of sand and may also occupy existing holes and crevices. Fishery Management The Mid-Atlantic , South Atlantic , and Gulf Fishery Management Councils develop management measures for the tilefish fisheries in their respective jurisdictions. NOAA Fisheries is responsible for implementing and enforcing these measures. The Mid-Atlantic Tilefish Fishery Management Plan measures for tilefish include: Permit requirements for commercial and for-hire vessels. Annual catch limits for the commercial and recreational fisheries. Limits on commercial possession. The fishery is closed if the landing limit is harvested. Closed season and bag limit for recreational anglers. Private recreational vessels are required to have a vessel permit and report each trip they target or retain tilefish. The South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan measures for blueline tilefish include: Permit requirements. Annual catch limits. Limits on the number or pounds of blueline tilefish commercial and recreational fishermen may harvest during a fishing trip. Prohibition of longline gear in certain areas to protect snapper-grouper species and live-bottom habitat. For more information on current management, see the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office’s South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper page. The Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of America Fishery Management Plan blueline tilefish measures include: Annual catch limits for both the commercial and recreational fisheries. An Individual Fishing Quota program for the commercial fishery. Restrictions on the seasons, areas, and depths where longlines can be used, to protect reef fish, sea turtles, and bottom habitat. For more information on current management, see the Gulf of America reef fish page. Harvest Commercial fishery: In response to the stock assessment in 2013, more restrictive regulations were implemented in the South Atlantic’s Snapper-Grouper FMP and commercial landings declined by half. In 2017, management measures were developed by the Mid-Atlantic Council. In 2024, commercial landings of blueline tilefish totaled 193,000 pounds and were valued at $703,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen mainly use longline and vertical hook-and-line gear to harvest blueline tilefish. Sea turtles, marine mammals, smalltooth sawfish, and reef fishes can be incidentally caught while fishing for blueline tilefish. Commercial reef fish fishermen in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America must use “release gear” and follow safe-handling protocols to increase the chance of survival for incidentally caught protected species, like sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish . To further reduce bycatch, the use of trawl gear, fish traps, and bottom longlines are prohibited in certain areas of the South Atlantic, and several areas are also closed to all fishing to protect snapper and grouper species. To protect reef fish, sea turtles, and bottom habitat in the Gulf of America, there are restrictions on the areas and depths where longlines can be used. In the Gulf of America and certain areas of the South Atlantic, fishermen are required to use circle hooks to reduce injury to any unintentional catch. Recreational fishery: In 2024, recreational anglers caught 268,000 pounds of blueline tilefish. Charterboat/headboat reef fish fishermen in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America must use de-hooking devices and follow safe-handling protocols to increase the chance of survival for incidentally caught protected species, like sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish . In the Mid-Atlantic, for-hire vessels are required to have a permit and report catch, and recreational anglers can keep a limited number of blueline tilefish per fishing trip. In the South Atlantic, blueline tilefish are included in the daily aggregate grouper bag limit for recreational fishermen. In the Gulf of America, there is a limit on the number of reef fish, including blueline tilefish, that recreational fishermen can keep per day.
*Executive Order 14172, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” (Jan. 20, 2025), directs that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America. On August 7, 2025, NOAA Fisheries and the National Ocean Service amended regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect the renaming. The name change did not result in any changes to, and had no effect on the applicability or enforceability of, any existing regulations. This website continues to use “Gulf of Mexico” when quoting statutes or previously published materials.
Habitat
The Mid-Atlantic , South Atlantic , and Gulf Fishery Management Councils develop management measures for the tilefish fisheries in their respective jurisdictions. NOAA Fisheries is responsible for implementing and enforcing these measures. The Mid-Atlantic Tilefish Fishery Management Plan measures for tilefish include: Permit requirements for commercial and for-hire vessels. Annual catch limits for the commercial and recreational fisheries. Limits on commercial possession. The fishery is closed if the landing limit is harvested. Closed season and bag limit for recreational anglers. Private recreational vessels are required to have a vessel permit and report each trip they target or retain tilefish. The South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan measures for blueline tilefish include: Permit requirements. Annual catch limits. Limits on the number or pounds of blueline tilefish commercial and recreational fishermen may harvest during a fishing trip. Prohibition of longline gear in certain areas to protect snapper-grouper species and live-bottom habitat. For more information on current management, see the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office’s South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper page. The Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of America Fishery Management Plan blueline tilefish measures include: Annual catch limits for both the commercial and recreational fisheries. An Individual Fishing Quota program for the commercial fishery. Restrictions on the seasons, areas, and depths where longlines can be used, to protect reef fish, sea turtles, and bottom habitat. For more information on current management, see the Gulf of America reef fish page. Harvest Commercial fishery: In response to the stock assessment in 2013, more restrictive regulations were implemented in the South Atlantic’s Snapper-Grouper FMP and commercial landings declined by half. In 2017, management measures were developed by the Mid-Atlantic Council. In 2024, commercial landings of blueline tilefish totaled 193,000 pounds and were valued at $703,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen mainly use longline and vertical hook-and-line gear to harvest blueline tilefish. Sea turtles, marine mammals, smalltooth sawfish, and reef fishes can be incidentally caught while fishing for blueline tilefish. Commercial reef fish fishermen in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America must use “release gear” and follow safe-handling protocols to increase the chance of survival for incidentally caught protected species, like sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish . To further reduce bycatch, the use of trawl gear, fish traps, and bottom longlines are prohibited in certain areas of the South Atlantic, and several areas are also closed to all fishing to protect snapper and grouper species. To protect reef fish, sea turtles, and bottom habitat in the Gulf of America, there are restrictions on the areas and depths where longlines can be used. In the Gulf of America and certain areas of the South Atlantic, fishermen are required to use circle hooks to reduce injury to any unintentional catch. Recreational fishery: In 2024, recreational anglers caught 268,000 pounds of blueline tilefish. Charterboat/headboat reef fish fishermen in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America must use de-hooking devices and follow safe-handling protocols to increase the chance of survival for incidentally caught protected species, like sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish . In the Mid-Atlantic, for-hire vessels are required to have a permit and report catch, and recreational anglers can keep a limited number of blueline tilefish per fishing trip. In the South Atlantic, blueline tilefish are included in the daily aggregate grouper bag limit for recreational fishermen. In the Gulf of America, there is a limit on the number of reef fish, including blueline tilefish, that recreational fishermen can keep per day.
*Executive Order 14172, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” (Jan. 20, 2025), directs that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America. On August 7, 2025, NOAA Fisheries and the National Ocean Service amended regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect the renaming. The name change did not result in any changes to, and had no effect on the applicability or enforceability of, any existing regulations. This website continues to use “Gulf of Mexico” when quoting statutes or previously published materials.
Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Perciformes Family Malacanthidae Genus Caulolatilus Species microps Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 07/02/2026
Ocean City & Mid-Atlantic context
From Ocean City, Maryland, use this Blueline Tilefish profile as NOAA Mid-Atlantic directory context—not a promise you will meet the species on every charter.
Always verify current Maryland and federal size, season, and bag rules for your exact date and coordinates before you keep any catch.
Source facts and imagery are adapted from the NOAA Fisheries species profile for Blueline Tilefish.
What charter to book from Ocean City
Blueline Tilefish may appear on Ocean City trips depending on season and habitat—use the NOAA biology below and book the charter archetype that matches how you will actually fish.
Possible / related
Bay guide — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.
Inshore charter — Possible overlap depending on season, water, and boat program.
Commercial fishery: In response to the stock assessment in 2013, more restrictive regulations were implemented in the South Atlantic’s Snapper-Grouper FMP and commercial landings declined by half. In 2017, management measures were developed by the Mid-Atlantic Council. In 2024, commercial landings of blueline tilefish totaled 193,000 pounds and were valued at $703,000, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Commercial fishermen mainly use longline and vertical hook-and-line gear to harvest blueline tilefish. Sea turtles, marine mammals, smalltooth sawfish, and reef fishes can be incidentally caught while fishing for blueline tilefish. Commercial reef fish fishermen in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America must use “release gear” and follow safe-handling protocols to increase the chance of survival for incidentally caught protected species, like sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish . To further reduce bycatch, the use of trawl gear, fish traps, and bottom longlines are prohibited in certain areas of the South Atlantic, and several areas are also closed to all fishing to protect snapper and grouper species. To protect reef fish, sea turtles, and bottom habitat in the Gulf of America, there are restrictions on the areas and depths where longlines can be used. In the Gulf of America and certain areas of the South Atlantic, fishermen are required to use circle hooks to reduce injury to any unintentional catch. Recreational fishery: In 2024, recreational anglers caught 268,000 pounds of blueline tilefish. Charterboat/headboat reef fish fishermen in the South Atlantic and Gulf of America must use de-hooking devices and follow safe-handling protocols to increase the chance of survival for incidentally caught protected species, like sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish . In the Mid-Atlantic, for-hire vessels are required to have a permit and report catch, and recreational anglers can keep a limited number of blueline tilefish per fishing trip. In the South Atlantic, blueline tilefish are included in the daily aggregate grouper bag limit for recreational fishermen. In the Gulf of America, there is a limit on the number of reef fish, including blueline tilefish, that recreational fishermen can keep per day.
*Executive Order 14172, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” (Jan. 20, 2025), directs that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America. On August 7, 2025, NOAA Fisheries and the National Ocean Service amended regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect the renaming. The name change did not result in any changes to, and had no effect on the applicability or enforceability of, any existing regulations. This website continues to use “Gulf of Mexico” when quoting statutes or previously published materials.
Scientific Classification Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Perciformes Family Malacanthidae Genus Caulolatilus Species microps Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 07/02/2026
Harvest
See the NOAA wild-caught fishery section for landings and gear notes when published for this species.
Landings and management details matter most for the waters where Blueline Tilefish is actually fished—see the
NOAA species profile
.
Seafood facts
Fact
Detail
Sustainability
U.S. wild-caught tilefish is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Availability
Year-round in the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico). Can be year-round or seasonal in the South Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Rhode Island to the west coast of Florida.
Taste
Tilefish has a mild sweet flavor, similar to lobster or crab. It is similar in taste to golden tilefish. Almost all tilefish is sold fresh.
Texture
Firm but tender.
Color
White.
Health
Tilefish is low in sodium. It is a good source of niacin, phosphorus, protein, vitamin B12, and selenium.
After a real OC boat day or market stop for Blueline Tilefish, Seafood after boat days covers
dock buffer and cook-your-catch pacing.
