Gray Triggerfish

Where to find them

Nearshore and offshore reefs and ledges by boat.

On reefs and hard bottom; nibbles baits.

What to look for

Bait stripped from hooks without a bite felt: triggers are nibbling.

Bait

Cut squid, Cut fish. Two-hook bottom (chicken) rig, weight on the bottom, lower hook about 12 in above it; touch bottom then reel up a couple of turns.

Leader

Two-hook chicken rig with the weight on the bottom.

Common mistakes

• Big hooks; they pick baits off
• Fingers near the mouth

Landing

Swing or net; keep hands away from the teeth.

Handling

• Strong incisor-like teeth that bite
• Locking first dorsal spine

Hold away from the mouth; the dorsal spine unlocks when the second spine is pushed down.

Keep or release

12 in fork length minimum; part of the 20 per person snapper-grouper aggregate (no more than 10 of one species). Descending device and dehooking tool required. Florida Museum rates the meat excellent.

Recipes for gray triggerfish

Typical: unknown. Large: Up to 28 in fork length and 13 lb. SC record 13 lb 9 oz (1989).

South Carolina limits

• Minimum: 12 in FL
• Maximum: none
• Bag: 20 per person per day aggregate of the other snapper-grouper species, no more than 10 of any one species
• Season: No closed season in state waters (out to 3 miles)
• A dehooking tool and a ready descending device are required for snapper-grouper fishing

Last checked 2026-10-11. A summary, not legal advice; the official rules win. SC DNR fishing regulations.

Sources

• NOAA Fisheries: gray triggerfish (Official source)
• Florida Museum, Discover Fishes: gray triggerfish (Official source)
• Carolina Sportsman: triggerfish on SC nearshore reefs (Angler knowledge)
• SCDNR saltwater game fish records (Official source)
• SC snapper grouper complex size and catch limits (eRegulations), last updated Aug 5, 2026 (Official source)

All the fish of Myrtle Beach