Fish guide
Gray Triggerfish
Balistes capriscus. Also called Triggerfish, Leatherjacket.
Showing the fish for Virginia Beach and the Chesapeake Bay mouth, VA.
Season in Virginia Beach
VSWFT triggerfish citations, Virginia Beach and Bay-mouth areas: June 6, July 2, August 3, September 8, October 10, November 10, December 5 (2024 to 2025). July 2025: some very big triggers on nearshore structure off Virginia Beach (boat). (Our inference)
Season by region
| Long Island | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| North Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
| South Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Delmarva | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Virginia Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Outer Banks | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Georgia | JFMAMJJASOND |
Where to find them
Jetty rocks, canal walls and bridges for a few; wrecks, reefs and floating debris 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
Good eating. Check state rules.
Typical: unknown. Large: Up to 28 in fork length and 13 lb. SC record 13 lb 9 oz (1989).
Limits
FishOS has not checked the VA limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission before you keep a fish.
Sources
- VMRC Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament: 2024 Citations Year To Date (every trophy citation with species, catch date, area, technique) (Official source)
- VMRC Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament: 2025 Citations Year To Date (printed May 8 2026) (Official source)
- FishTalk Way South Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, July 2025 (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)
- SCDNR saltwater game fish records (Official source)
Is gray triggerfish worth it today?
The planner rates it for your exact time with the live tide, weather and water temperature.
Create your account