Gray Triggerfish

Season in Long Island

OTW Long Island reports: big triggerfish on boats out of Orient, Point Lookout and Montauk in early August 2022; lots of triggerfish biting at Montauk and one at Captree in August 2020. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Summer boat catch on rough bottom out of Montauk, Orient, Point Lookout and Captree.

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

Florida Museum rates the meat excellent. Check the New York rules.

Recipes for gray triggerfish

Typical: unknown. Large: unknown. NY record 7.63 lb (1999).

New York (marine waters) limits

No state limit entry.

Last checked 2026-10-17. A summary, not legal advice; the official rules win. New York State DEC fishing regulations.

Sources

• On The Water: Long Island Fishing Report, August 4, 2022 (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: Long Island and New York Fishing Report, August 13, 2020 (Angler knowledge)
• Florida Museum, Discover Fishes: gray triggerfish (Official source)
• NOAA Fisheries: gray triggerfish (Official source)
• Carolina Sportsman: triggerfish on SC nearshore reefs (Angler knowledge)
• NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records Program (Official source)

All the fish of Long Island