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Saltwater recreational limits, refreshed each season from the state agency.

South Carolina fishing regulations

Curated references from cited public sources · listings, not permission to fish or retain a catch · This selected South Carolina saltwater reference subset is not a complete rulebook.

OPEN NOWALL SPECIESAUG 2026
SOURCESCDNR marine sport fishing ↗UPDATED AUGUST 11, 2026 · CHECKED AUG 14, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCChecked Aug 14, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCRules vary by location, method, vessel, and emergency closure.The SCDNR page is an informational summary; the applicable state regulations are authoritative.
SPECIESLISTED SEASON WINDOWSJFMAMJJASONDBAGMIN SIZELISTING
Black Drum14-inch to 27-inch total length (TL).Listed open5 per person per day14"OPEN
Cobia36-inch fork length (FL) minimum. State waters south of 32°31.0′ N latitude have a closed season May 1-May 31; north of that latitude and federal waters have no closed season in this table. State-water harvest may only be by rod and reel or gig.Listed openSouth state waters: 1 per person per day, maximum 3 per boat per day; federal waters and state waters north of 32°31.0′ N: 1 per person per day, maximum 6 per boat per day36"OPEN
Dolphin20-inch fork length (FL) minimum. For-hire vessels must have a Dolphin Wahoo permit for federal-water fishing; sale of recreational catch is prohibited.Listed open10 per person per day; not to exceed 54 per boat per day; headboats have no boat limit20"OPEN
Flounders (Southern, Summer & Gulf)16-inch total length (TL) minimum; bag limit applies to hook and line or gig.Listed open5 per person per day; not to exceed 10 per boat per day16"OPEN
King Mackerel24-inch fork length (FL) minimum; for-hire vessels must have a Coastal Migratory Pelagics permit for federal-water fishing.Listed open3 per person per day24"OPEN
Red DrumState waters; 18-25 inch total length (TL). May only be taken by rod and reel or gig; may not be harvested from federal waters. The table separately states it may not be harvested by gig December 1-February 28.Listed open1 per person per day in state waters; not to exceed 2 per boat per day; possession prohibited in federal waters18"OPEN
Red Snapper20-inch total length (TL) minimum applies in state waters; the table states possession is prohibited in federal waters.Listed open2 per person per day in state waters; possession prohibited in federal waters20"OPEN
Sheepshead14-inch total length (TL) minimum.Listed open10 per person per day; not to exceed 30 per boat per day14"OPEN
Spanish Mackerel12-inch fork length (FL) minimum; for-hire vessels must have a Coastal Migratory Pelagics permit for federal-water fishing.Listed open15 per person per day12"OPEN
Spotted Seatrout14-inch total length (TL) minimum. May only be taken by rod and reel or gig; the table states it may not be harvested by gig December 1-February 28.Listed open10 per person per day14"OPEN
Tarpon77-inch fork length (FL) minimum; may only be taken by rod and reel.Listed open1 per person per day77"OPEN
Tripletail18-inch total length (TL) minimum.Listed open3 per person per day; not to exceed 9 per boat per day18"OPEN

Reference only, not permission to fish or retain a catch. Verify the current official regulations before you go.