Black drum have a slot limit, so be sure you're able to unhook and release a fish quickly. The fish on the lower end of the slot are usually better eating than the really large fish. For this time of year, concentrate your efforts from Corpus Christi southward. At the time of publication, the daily bag limit for black drum is five fish. A slot length limit of 14 to 30 inches is in place, which means fish shorter than 14 inches or longer than 30 inches.
Size & Catch Limits for Saltwater Fish
- TL = Total Length
- FL = Fork Length; See How to Measure a Fish.
- AIW = Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
State Waters extend from the saltwater-freshwater dividing line to the 3-mile limit.
Federal Waters extend from the 3-mile limit to 200 miles offshore (international waters).
It shall be unlawful for any person fishing commercially with any gear type to take, catch, or possess any red drum less than 18 inches in total length or greater than 25 inches in total length. Possession limits. The black drum limit is a bit more liberal, allowing five fish per day, with a slot of 14 to 30 inches. The flounder limit also is generous - 10 per day, with a 14-inch minimum.
All species in this section must be landed with head and tail intact.
Update to Red Drum Regulations (effective July 1, 2018)
The South Carolina General Assembly has passed a new law intended to reverse Red Drum overfishing. The lowered bag limit allows two fish per person per day and no more than six fish per boat per day. The previous catch limit was three fish per person per day, with no boat limit. The slot limit (15-23 inches) remains unchanged.
Slot Limit:
- 15-23 inches (total length)
Bag Limit:
- 2 per person per day, and no more than 6 per boat per day
Inshore Finfish
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
American Shad | No closed season for recreational hook & line harvest; For all other gears, seasons as for commercial harvest | 10 shad per person per day except in Santee River and Rediversion Canal (20 per person per day) | Licensing, permitting, and gear requirements. | |
Herring | Herring Closures | 1 U.S. bushel of herring per person per day | Licensing, permitting, and gear requirements. | |
Black Drum | 5 per person per day | 14-inch to 27-inch TL | ||
Bluefish | 15 per person per day | |||
Flounders (Southern, Summer & Gulf) | 10 per person per day not to exceed 20 per boat per day | 15-inch TL |
| |
Red Drum | Cannot be harvested by gig Dec. - Feb. | 2 per person per day (state waters) Not to exceed 6 per boat per day 0 per person per day (federal waters) | 15-inch to 23-inch TL |
|
Saltwater catfishes (Hardhead & gafftopsail catfishes) | Possession prohibited | Possession prohibited |
| |
Sheepshead | 10 per person per day not to exceed 30 per boat per day | 14-inch TL | ||
Spotted Seatrout | Cannot be harvested by gig Dec. - Feb. | 10 per person per day | 14-inch TL |
|
Striped Bass | Possession prohibited: June 1 – Sept. 30 except in lower reach of the Savannah River (2 per person per day year round;) | Possession prohibited: June 1 – Sept. 30; 3 fish per person per day: Oct. 1 – May 31 except in lower reach of the Savannah River (2 per person per day year round) | 26 inch TL except in lower reach of the Savannah River (27 inch TL) |
|
Hybrid Bass, White Bass & Combinations | In lower reach of the Savannah River: 2 per person per day All other saltwaters: no bag limit | In the lower reach of the Savannah River: 27 inch TL All other saltwaters: no size limit | ||
Tarpon | 1 per person per day | 77-inch FL |
| |
Tripletail | No associated regulations | |||
Weakfish | 1 per person per day | 12-inch TL | ||
Atlantic Croaker, Spot, Whiting | 50 per person per day aggregate bag limit |
|
Offshore Finfish
An operator or crew member onboard a for-hire or commercial vessel must have a valid Operator Card when underway fishing for Dolphin/Wahoo.
These species are also managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) in federal waters. Regulations may change. Please contact the SAFMC at 843-571-4366 or safmc.net to get the most up to date regulations on these species.
The harvest and possession of coastal migratory pelagic species by commercial and recreational fishermen will be limited to the recreational bag limit within the Special Management Zones.
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cobia | May 1 to May 31 in state waters south of 032° 31.0 N latitude (Jeremy Inlet, Edisto Island) In federal and all other state waters, closed when Annual Catch Limit (ACL) is met | 1 per person per day and no more than 3 per boat per day in State waters south of 32.31, 1 per person per day and no more than 6 per boat per day Federal waters and State waters north of 32.31 | 36-inch FL |
|
Dolphin | 10 per person per day not to exceed 60 per boat per day. Headboats have no boat limit | 20-inch FL |
| |
King Mackerel | 3 per person per day | 24-inch FL |
| |
Spanish Mackerel | 15 per person per day | 12-inch FL |
| |
Wahoo | 2 per person per day |
|
Atlantic Tunas
A Federal Highly Migratory Species Permit is required to fish for these species except for the Other Tunas. Check current federal regulations by phone at 1-888-USA-TUNA (1-888-872-8862) or https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/.
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Albacore, Skipjack | No associated regulations | |||
Bigeye Tuna | 27-inch curved FL | |||
Bluefin Tuna | NOAA Fisheries has adjusted the Atlantic Bluefin tuna daily retention limits which applies to vessels permit- ted in the Highly Migratory Species Angling category and the HMS Charter/Headboat category. Visit https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ bulletin/bluefin-tuna-angling-category-daily-retention-limit-adjustment for detailed information regarding bag limits prior to fishing. | 27-inch to 73-inch curved FL |
| |
Yellowfin Tuna | 3 per person per day per trip | 27-inch curved FL | ||
Other tunas: Blackfin tuna, Bonita, and Little tunny | No associated regulations |
Billfish
A Federal Highly Migratory Species Permit is required to fish for these species. All billfish to be released may not be removed from the water. All recreationally caught Atlantic billfish landed must be reported to NMFS within 24 hours of landing at the dock. Anglers can report by calling 1-800-894-5528 or by visiting https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/. Recreationally caught billfish may not be sold.
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Marlin | 99-inch FL from lower jaw |
| ||
White Marlin | 66-inch FL from lower jaw |
| ||
Sailfish | 63-inch FL from lower jaw |
| ||
Swordfish | 1 per person per day not to exceed 4 per vessel per trip | 47-inch FL from lower jaw |
| |
Roundscale Spearfish | 66-inch FL from lower jaw |
| ||
Longbill Spearfish | Possession prohibited |
|
Snapper Grouper Complex
Many of these species are managed under annual catch limits. Seasons may be closed when catch limits are met. Visit http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov for the latest information on the status of annual catch limits.
These species are also managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) in federal waters. Regulations may change. Please contact the SAFMC at 843-571-4366 or www.safmc.net to get the most up to date regulations on these species.
You can also download the FREE mobile application Fish Rules. Fish Rules is available for both Android and Apple products.
Recreational and commercial fishermen are required to use dehooking tools when fishing for snapper grouper species. Non-stainless circle hooks are required when fishing with natural baits for snapper grouper species.
Sale of snapper grouper under the recreational bag limit is prohibited.
For-hire vessels must have a Snapper Grouper permit to fish for these species in federal waters.
The harvest and possession of snapper grouper species by commercial and recreational fishermen will be limited to the recreational bag limit within the Special Management Zones. See 'Special Information' (page 47) for information on SMZs.
Black Drum Slot Limit Texas Holdem
Sea Turtle Release Gear Requirements: For-hire vessels fishing for snapper grouper species and possessing a federal for-fire permit must have onboard NMFS approved sea turtle release gear and follow release protocols. For more information, call 727-824-5312 or visit, http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/turtle_sawfish_release/index.html.
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Greater Amberjack | 1 per person per day | 28-inch FL |
| |
Hogfish | 2 per person per day | 17-inch FL | ||
Wreckfish | Closed: January 1 – June 30 and September 1 – December 31 | 1 per vessel per day |
Seabass
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Black Sea Bass | In federal waters, closed when Annual Catch Limit (ACL) is met | 7 per person per day | 13-inch TL |
Porgies and Snappers
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Red Porgy | 3 per person per day | 14-inch TL | ||
Vermillion Snapper | 5 per person per day; excluded from 10 snapper per person per day limit | 12-inch TL | ||
Red Snapper | Possession prohibited | Possession prohibited | ||
Lane Snapper | 10 per person per day from this group | 8-inch TL | ||
Black, Blackfin, Cubera, Dog, Yellowtail, Gray, Mahogany, Schoolmaster | 12-inch TL | |||
Silk and Queen Snapper | 12-inch TL | |||
Mutton Snapper | 5 per person per day, included in the above group limit of 10 per person per day | 18-inch TL |
Grouper and Tilefish
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gag & Black Grouper | Closed: Jan. 1 - Apr. 30 | Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit; Maximum of 1 gag or black grouper (but not both) per person/day | 24-inch TL | |
Scamp, Red, Yellowfin, & Yellowmouth Groupers | Closed: Jan. 1 - Apr. 30 | Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit | 20-inch TL | |
Golden Tilefish, Blueline Tilefish, and Sand Tilefish | Blueline Tilefish closed Sept. – April | Included in 3 grouper bag limit; Blueline tilefish - 3 per person per day (May-August only) Golden tilefish - 1 fish per person per day | ||
Misty Grouper, Yellowedge Grouper | Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit; Maximum of 1 gag or black grouper (but not both) per person/day | |||
Coney, Grasby, Red Hind, & Rock Hind | Closed: Jan. 1 - Apr. 30 | Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit | ||
Snowy Grouper | September – April | Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit; Only 1 fish per vessel per day (May - August only) | ||
Warsaw and Speckled Hind | Possession prohibited | Possession prohibited | ||
Nassau and Goliath Grouper | Possession prohibited | Possession prohibited | If caught must be released by cutting the line and not removing the fish from the water. |
Black Drum Slot Limit Texas State
All Other Snapper Grouper Complex Species
Inshore Finfish
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
American Shad | No closed season for recreational hook & line harvest; For all other gears, seasons as for commercial harvest | 10 shad per person per day except in Santee River and Rediversion Canal (20 per person per day) | Licensing, permitting, and gear requirements. | |
Herring | Herring Closures | 1 U.S. bushel of herring per person per day | Licensing, permitting, and gear requirements. | |
Black Drum | 5 per person per day | 14-inch to 27-inch TL | ||
Bluefish | 15 per person per day | |||
Flounders (Southern, Summer & Gulf) | 10 per person per day not to exceed 20 per boat per day | 15-inch TL |
| |
Red Drum | Cannot be harvested by gig Dec. - Feb. | 2 per person per day (state waters) Not to exceed 6 per boat per day 0 per person per day (federal waters) | 15-inch to 23-inch TL |
|
Saltwater catfishes (Hardhead & gafftopsail catfishes) | Possession prohibited | Possession prohibited |
| |
Sheepshead | 10 per person per day not to exceed 30 per boat per day | 14-inch TL | ||
Spotted Seatrout | Cannot be harvested by gig Dec. - Feb. | 10 per person per day | 14-inch TL |
|
Striped Bass | Possession prohibited: June 1 – Sept. 30 except in lower reach of the Savannah River (2 per person per day year round;) | Possession prohibited: June 1 – Sept. 30; 3 fish per person per day: Oct. 1 – May 31 except in lower reach of the Savannah River (2 per person per day year round) | 26 inch TL except in lower reach of the Savannah River (27 inch TL) |
|
Hybrid Bass, White Bass & Combinations | In lower reach of the Savannah River: 2 per person per day All other saltwaters: no bag limit | In the lower reach of the Savannah River: 27 inch TL All other saltwaters: no size limit | ||
Tarpon | 1 per person per day | 77-inch FL |
| |
Tripletail | No associated regulations | |||
Weakfish | 1 per person per day | 12-inch TL | ||
Atlantic Croaker, Spot, Whiting | 50 per person per day aggregate bag limit |
|
Offshore Finfish
An operator or crew member onboard a for-hire or commercial vessel must have a valid Operator Card when underway fishing for Dolphin/Wahoo.
These species are also managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) in federal waters. Regulations may change. Please contact the SAFMC at 843-571-4366 or safmc.net to get the most up to date regulations on these species.
The harvest and possession of coastal migratory pelagic species by commercial and recreational fishermen will be limited to the recreational bag limit within the Special Management Zones.
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cobia | May 1 to May 31 in state waters south of 032° 31.0 N latitude (Jeremy Inlet, Edisto Island) In federal and all other state waters, closed when Annual Catch Limit (ACL) is met | 1 per person per day and no more than 3 per boat per day in State waters south of 32.31, 1 per person per day and no more than 6 per boat per day Federal waters and State waters north of 32.31 | 36-inch FL |
|
Dolphin | 10 per person per day not to exceed 60 per boat per day. Headboats have no boat limit | 20-inch FL |
| |
King Mackerel | 3 per person per day | 24-inch FL |
| |
Spanish Mackerel | 15 per person per day | 12-inch FL |
| |
Wahoo | 2 per person per day |
|
Atlantic Tunas
A Federal Highly Migratory Species Permit is required to fish for these species except for the Other Tunas. Check current federal regulations by phone at 1-888-USA-TUNA (1-888-872-8862) or https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/.
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Albacore, Skipjack | No associated regulations | |||
Bigeye Tuna | 27-inch curved FL | |||
Bluefin Tuna | NOAA Fisheries has adjusted the Atlantic Bluefin tuna daily retention limits which applies to vessels permit- ted in the Highly Migratory Species Angling category and the HMS Charter/Headboat category. Visit https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ bulletin/bluefin-tuna-angling-category-daily-retention-limit-adjustment for detailed information regarding bag limits prior to fishing. | 27-inch to 73-inch curved FL |
| |
Yellowfin Tuna | 3 per person per day per trip | 27-inch curved FL | ||
Other tunas: Blackfin tuna, Bonita, and Little tunny | No associated regulations |
Billfish
A Federal Highly Migratory Species Permit is required to fish for these species. All billfish to be released may not be removed from the water. All recreationally caught Atlantic billfish landed must be reported to NMFS within 24 hours of landing at the dock. Anglers can report by calling 1-800-894-5528 or by visiting https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/. Recreationally caught billfish may not be sold.
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Marlin | 99-inch FL from lower jaw |
| ||
White Marlin | 66-inch FL from lower jaw |
| ||
Sailfish | 63-inch FL from lower jaw |
| ||
Swordfish | 1 per person per day not to exceed 4 per vessel per trip | 47-inch FL from lower jaw |
| |
Roundscale Spearfish | 66-inch FL from lower jaw |
| ||
Longbill Spearfish | Possession prohibited |
|
Snapper Grouper Complex
Many of these species are managed under annual catch limits. Seasons may be closed when catch limits are met. Visit http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov for the latest information on the status of annual catch limits.
These species are also managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) in federal waters. Regulations may change. Please contact the SAFMC at 843-571-4366 or www.safmc.net to get the most up to date regulations on these species.
You can also download the FREE mobile application Fish Rules. Fish Rules is available for both Android and Apple products.
Recreational and commercial fishermen are required to use dehooking tools when fishing for snapper grouper species. Non-stainless circle hooks are required when fishing with natural baits for snapper grouper species.
Sale of snapper grouper under the recreational bag limit is prohibited.
For-hire vessels must have a Snapper Grouper permit to fish for these species in federal waters.
The harvest and possession of snapper grouper species by commercial and recreational fishermen will be limited to the recreational bag limit within the Special Management Zones. See 'Special Information' (page 47) for information on SMZs.
Black Drum Slot Limit Texas Holdem
Sea Turtle Release Gear Requirements: For-hire vessels fishing for snapper grouper species and possessing a federal for-fire permit must have onboard NMFS approved sea turtle release gear and follow release protocols. For more information, call 727-824-5312 or visit, http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/turtle_sawfish_release/index.html.
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Greater Amberjack | 1 per person per day | 28-inch FL |
| |
Hogfish | 2 per person per day | 17-inch FL | ||
Wreckfish | Closed: January 1 – June 30 and September 1 – December 31 | 1 per vessel per day |
Seabass
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Black Sea Bass | In federal waters, closed when Annual Catch Limit (ACL) is met | 7 per person per day | 13-inch TL |
Porgies and Snappers
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Red Porgy | 3 per person per day | 14-inch TL | ||
Vermillion Snapper | 5 per person per day; excluded from 10 snapper per person per day limit | 12-inch TL | ||
Red Snapper | Possession prohibited | Possession prohibited | ||
Lane Snapper | 10 per person per day from this group | 8-inch TL | ||
Black, Blackfin, Cubera, Dog, Yellowtail, Gray, Mahogany, Schoolmaster | 12-inch TL | |||
Silk and Queen Snapper | 12-inch TL | |||
Mutton Snapper | 5 per person per day, included in the above group limit of 10 per person per day | 18-inch TL |
Grouper and Tilefish
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gag & Black Grouper | Closed: Jan. 1 - Apr. 30 | Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit; Maximum of 1 gag or black grouper (but not both) per person/day | 24-inch TL | |
Scamp, Red, Yellowfin, & Yellowmouth Groupers | Closed: Jan. 1 - Apr. 30 | Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit | 20-inch TL | |
Golden Tilefish, Blueline Tilefish, and Sand Tilefish | Blueline Tilefish closed Sept. – April | Included in 3 grouper bag limit; Blueline tilefish - 3 per person per day (May-August only) Golden tilefish - 1 fish per person per day | ||
Misty Grouper, Yellowedge Grouper | Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit; Maximum of 1 gag or black grouper (but not both) per person/day | |||
Coney, Grasby, Red Hind, & Rock Hind | Closed: Jan. 1 - Apr. 30 | Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit | ||
Snowy Grouper | September – April | Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit; Only 1 fish per vessel per day (May - August only) | ||
Warsaw and Speckled Hind | Possession prohibited | Possession prohibited | ||
Nassau and Goliath Grouper | Possession prohibited | Possession prohibited | If caught must be released by cutting the line and not removing the fish from the water. |
Black Drum Slot Limit Texas State
All Other Snapper Grouper Complex Species
Black Drum Slot Limit Texas Longhorns
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Including but not limited to: Lesser Amberjack; Cottonwick; White Grunt; Scup; Almaco and Bar Jacks; Margate; Whitebone, Knobbed, Jolthead, Saucereye and Longspine Porgies; Banded Rudderfish; Sailors Choice; Bank Seabass; Rock Seabass; Ocean Triggerfish | Almaco Jack, Banded Rudderfish, and Lesser Amberjack closed in Federal waters effective August 9, 2016. Will reopen Jan 1, 2017. | 20 per person per day aggregate bag limit |
| |
Gray triggerfish | Included in 20 per person per day aggregate bag limit (Lesser Amberjack; Cottonwick; White Grunt; Scup; Almaco and Bar Jacks; Margate; Whitebone, Knobbed, Jolthead, Saucereye and Longspine Porgies; Banded Rudderfish; Sailors Choice; Bank Seabass; Rock Seabass; Ocean Triggerfish) | 12-inch FL | ||
Spadefish |
Sharks
A Federal Highly Migratory Species Permit is required in federal waters. All sharks must be landed with fins, head and tail naturally attached. Recreational anglers may only catch sharks using a rod & reel or handline. Additionally, anglers fishing recreationally for sharks are required to use non-offset, non stainless steel circle hooks whenever they are fishing, except when fishing with flies or artificial lures. All other gears prohibited. Current federal regulations and shark identification guide.
Shark in this table are a Grouping - 1 Shark per vessel per from this group. | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
Blacknose, Blacktip, Blue, Bull, Finetooth, Lemon, Nurse, Porbeagle, Spinner, Thresher, Tiger and Oceanic Whitetip Sharks | 1 shark per vessel per day from this group | 54-inch FL | ||
Great Hammerhead, Scalloped Hammerhead and Smooth Hammerhead Sharks | 78-inch FL | |||
Shortfin Mako - Females | 83-inch FL | |||
Shortfin Mako - Males | 71-inch FL |
Black Drum Slot Limit Texas A&m
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dogfish (spiny & smooth) | No associated regulations | |||
Atlantic Sharpnose | 1 per person per day | |||
Bonnethead | 1 per person per day | |||
Atlantic Angel, Basking, Bignose, Dusky, Galapagos, Longfin Mako, Narrowtooth, Night, Caribbean Reef, Sandbar, Sevengill, Caribbean Sharpnose, Silky, Bigeye Sixgill, Sixgill, Smalltail, Bigeye Thresher, Bigeye Sand Tiger, Sand Tiger, Whale and White Sharks | Possession prohibited | Possession prohibited |
|
The 2018-2019 Saltwater Fishing Regulations are provided in the Adobe® Acrobat® (PDF) format.