Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

Atlantic Tripletails have a compressed but deep body with a triangle-shaped head.

The eyes are small but the mouth is large.

They have varied mottled color patterns which range from dark brown-gray to reddish brown in color.

Illustration by Duane Raver, Jr.

Season	Open Year Round
Size Limit	No Size Limit
Daily Limit / Person	No Limit
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Uncommon - this species is more common south of Delaware.
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Atlantic Tripletails tend to suspend under buoys, channel markers, and other floating objects near the beach to a few miles offshore. Atlantic Tripletails sometimes frequent artificial reefs. They feed on small fishes, shrimps, and crabs.
Did You Know?	Atlantic Tripletails often lie just below the surface, floating on their side looking dead. They seem to float along waiting for a potential meal (baitfish) to seek shelter from the sun under their shadow and then the Atlantic Tripletail strikes quickly.
Common Lures and Baits	Atlantic Tripletails will take various artificial lures such as streamer flies, bucktails, jigs, and shallow swimming plugs. The best live baits are shrimp and small fish fished under a shallow float or bobber.
Typical Sizes Caught	In general, Atlantic Tripletails caught by anglers weigh between 2 and 12 pounds.
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Atlantic Tripletails are not currently eligible for a Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament or Live Release award, but a large specimen may qualify for an “Unusual Species” award.
Delaware State Record	Atlantic Tripletails are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

Delaware's Government