Best Times & Seasons to Fish in South Carolina (Full Guide)
South Carolina offers some of the best seatrout, flounder, and redfish angling on the east coast but it is home to great bass, marlin, and mahi-mahi angling as well. Knowing the best time & seasons to fish in South Carolina can really amp up your catch rates.
The best time to fish in South Carolina for largemouth bass, catfish, marlin, sailfish, redfish, mahi-mahi, flounder, and mackerel is from May through late September. Winter is typically the worst season to fish in South Carolina for most species.
In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in South Carolina. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in South Carolina is on a species-by-species basis.
Best Time to Fish South Carolina
South Carolina is a destination where anglers can enjoy fishing year-round. However, fishing is different at different times of the year. The activity of fish increases during warm months. On the other hand, fishing is slow during the cold months.
The offshore fishing season starts at the end of April and finishes in December. However, the vast majority of fish species are active between May and September. Anglers can target groupers, mackerel, marlin, sailfish, and snappers during these months.
South Carolina Species Breakdown: Best Time
Amberjack
Amberjack feeds actively in cold waters. So, anglers should aim to target amberjack during the spring and fall months. Amberjack often bites during sunrises and sunsets. Anglers often catch amberjack during their deep sea fishing trips on the southern coast of South Carolina.
Barracuda
The season to fish for barracuda starts in the late spring and lasts till the fall. Go fishing for barracuda either in the early morning or late evening. Fishermen should target barracuda near Charleston.
Black drum
Fishing for black drum in South Carolina is excellent between February and March. Murrells Inlet is the perfect place to target black drum.
Blackfin tuna
Blackfin tuna is active in the spring. Anglers get bites of blackfin tuna at low light. The fish bites well in the early morning or late afternoon. It makes sense to target blackfin tuna in the waters of Murrells Inlet.
Cobia
Cobia is active during the spring and summer months. Cobia can be found near Myrtle Beach.
Grouper
Grouper is the most active in summer. Grouper bites well in the early morning and during the late afternoon hours. Murrells Inlet is the perfect place to fish for groupers in South Carolina.
Flounder
The late summer and early fall is the best time of the year to target flounder in South Carolina. Flounder bites well during early morning and late afternoon hours. Flounder fishing is productive in offshore waters near Hilton Head Island.
Mackerel
Anglers catch king mackerel and Spanish mackerel during South Carolina fishing adventures. Mackerel fishing season starts in the early spring and lasts until the late fall. Go to Hilton Head Island to fish for mackerel.
Mahi-mahi
The season to catch mahi-mahi starts in April and lasts till October. Mahi-mahi fishing is best during the summer months. Fishermen get bites of mahi-mahi either in the early morning or in the late evening. Visit Murrells Inlet to enjoy offshore fishing and catch mahi-mahi in South Carolina.
Marlin
Early summer is the best time of the year to catch blue marlin and white marlin in the waters of South Carolina. Marlin often bites in the morning. Marlin can be found near Charleston.
Red drum
Red drum is active in cold waters. So, anglers can target red drum in the fall and winter months. Beaufort is the best place to target red drum in South Carolina.
Sailfish
Fishing for sailfish is excellent between July and August. Fishermen can target sailfish near Hilton Head Island.
Sharks
Fishermen can catch sharks in spring. Oftentimes, sharks bite at dawn and at dusk. Shark fishing is excellent in Murrells Inlet.
Sheepshead
Fishing for sheepshead is good during the fall, winter, and spring months. Sheepshead fishing is amazing during midday hours. Visit Charleston to enjoy sheepshead fishing.
Snapper
Snapper gets active when water is getting warmer. So, anglers should target snapper in South Carolina during the summer months. Murrells Inlet is one of the top fishing spots to fish for snapper in the region.
Speckled trout
Spring is a great time to fish for speckled trout in South Carolina. Speckled trout bites well before and after sunrise. Charleston is the perfect place to fish for speckled trout in South Carolina.
Tarpon
Tarpon bites well during the spring and summer months. Tarpon fishing is the most productive in the early morning and late afternoon. Anglers often catch tarpon in the offshore waters of Murrells Inlet.
Wahoo
Wahoo is migratory fish that arrives in South Carolina in the late spring. Anglers often get bites of wahoo at the first morning light. Charleston is the perfect place to fish for wahoo.
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.
Recommended South Carolina Fishing Guides/Charters
These South Carolina-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Fins Up Adventure Charters | Hilton Head Island, SC |
| Fisher Of Men Charters | Little River, SC |
| Captain Buddy’s Fishing Charter | Hilton Head Island, SC |
| Fish On Charters | Murrells Inlet, SC |
| All In One Charters | Mount Pleasant, SC |
| O-Fish-Al Expeditions | Murrells Inlet, SC |
| Palmetto Fishing Charters | Murrells Inlet, SC |
| Top Shot Sport Fishing Hilton Head | Hilton Head Island, SC |
| Off Duty Charters | Bluffton, SC |
| Captain Kaleb Charters | Mount Pleasant, SC |
| Flood Tide Charters | Charleston, SC |
| Crazy Girl Fishing Charters | Murrells Inlet, SC |
| Black Dog Fishing Charters | Hilton Head Island, SC |
South Carolina Regions: Best Fishing Times
Head Island
Many species of fish feed actively during cold months. So, fishing near Head Island is the most productive during the fall and winter months.
Kiawah Island
It’s possible to fish Kiawah Island year-round. However, anglers get the best results between April and December.
Folly Beach
Fishing in Folly Beach is excellent in the late summer and early fall.
Charleston
Fishing in the waters of Charleston is the most productive during the summer and fall months.
Myrtle Beach
Fishing season in Myrtle Beach starts in the late spring and finishes in the early fall.
Pawleys Island
Fall is the best time of the year to experience fishing near Pawleys Island.
Murrells Inlet
Murrells Inlet is the region where anglers can enjoy fishing year-round. Blackfin tuna, sailfish, shark, tarpon, and wahoo are active in the spring.
Summertime is a great time to target such species as grouper, mahi-mahi, snapper, and tarpon. Amberjack and wahoo bite well during the fall and winter months.
Best Time of Day to Fish South Carolina
The best time of day to fish in South Carolina depends a lot on the time of the year and target fish species. Some fish species are active year-round. However, there are fish species that bite well during certain times of the year. The vast majority of anglers prefer to fish in South Carolina in the early morning.
South Carolina Fishing & Tidal Impacts
Tides affect fishing. When preparing for South Carolina fishing trips, anglers need to know when tides are low and high in the area. Fishing is the best during rising tides.
The rising tide causes the movement of water. Oxygen-rich water is brought to the area and fish begin to search for food actively.
Top Fishing Spots in South Carolina
Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island offers excellent inshore and offshore fishing opportunities. The island is very picturesque. While fishing on the island, anglers can enjoy beautiful natural views.
Anglers can target a variety of fish species during their fishing adventures. These include amberjack, black seabass, billfish, cobia, grouper, flounder, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, Spanish mackerel, red drum, sheepshead, speckled trout, tarpon, snapper, and sharks.
Charleston
Charleston has a lot to offer to fishermen. There are many artificial reefs in the waters near the city. The reefs attract fish. Many species of fish can be found in the waters of Charleston.
It’s possible to catch amberjack, black seabass, bluefish, cobia, grouper, flounder, mahi-mahi, marlin, redfish, sailfish, sheepshead, snapper, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, tarpon, blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo during Charleston fishing adventures.
Myrtle Beach
Many anglers decide to visit Myrtle Beach during their trips to South Carolina. Here, anglers can enjoy fishing in nearshore and offshore waters. There are many bars and restaurants near the beach and in its surrounding areas. A lot of other fishing activities are available on Myrtle Beach.
Myrtle Beach is best known for its shark fishing opportunities. Here, fishermen can target different types of sharks such as blacktip sharks, bull sharks, hammerheads, and tigers.
Fishermen can also catch bluefish, black drum, bluefish, king mackerel, flounder, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, mahi-mahi, pompano, and yellowfin tuna.
Lake Murray
Lake Murray is one of the most popular lakes in South Carolina. It is a good place to have a picnic and enjoy fishing. The lake offers more than 500 miles of shoreline.
There are public access locations, piers, marinas, parking areas, and picnic spots on the lake. It’s possible to enjoy a lot of interesting family activities on the lake.
Fishing on Lake Murray is awesome. Anglers can target a variety of fish species such as bluegill, catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, striped bass, and redear sunfish.
Lake Jocassee
Lake Jocassee is a good place to enjoy fishing as well as hiking and biking. The lake impresses with its beautiful nature and diverse wildlife. There are many waterfalls in the surrounding areas. While traveling or fishing on the lake, you will see breathtaking natural views.
It’s hard to imagine Lake Jocassee without fishing. Lake Jocassee has gained huge popularity among the anglers, who give a preference to fly fishing.
Here, you can have unforgettable family fishing adventures. The lake is home to such species as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass as well as brown trout and rainbow trout.
Murrells Inlet
Murrells Inlet attracts so many avid anglers, who want to enjoy deep-sea fishing in South Carolina. Many anglers choose to book a full-day charter to enjoy fishing in the offshore waters of Murrells Inlet.
Murrells Inlet impresses anglers with its abundance of fish species. In this fishing location, anglers can target fish species like amberjack, black drum, cobia, grouper, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, redfish, sailfish, sharks, snapper, tarpon, sharks, speckled trout, and wahoo.
Is Winter Fishing Bad in South Carolina?
Winter fishing is less productive in the region due to cold weather. Many fish species stay inactive in winter due to cold water temperatures. Nevertheless, the waters of South Florida are home to some fish species that get active during the cold months.
So, it’s possible to enjoy fishing in winter. Species like amberjack, sea bass, sheepshead, and wahoo are active during the winter months. That means that winter fishing is not bad in South Carolina.
Booking Guides & Charters in South Carolina
-Best season to go
As we have already mentioned, fishing in South Carolina is the most productive between May and September. However, summer is usually a busy season.
A lot of anglers prefer to fish in South Carolina waters in summer. May and September are often overlooked times of the year. Nevertheless, the demand for fishing is lower and anglers can still get successful results during these months.
– Morning vs. afternoon
It’s possible to enjoy fishing during morning or afternoon hours. Fishing in the morning is good during hot summer months. Fishermen can avoid heat in summer during morning hours.
On the other hand, early morning is not a suitable time to fish in the spring, fall, and winter. It would be better to go fishing in the afternoon during cold months. The water heats up in the afternoon and the activity of fish increases.
-1/2 day, full-day, multi-day charters
A lot of companies offer half-day fishing charters in South Carolina. Trips of this type provide anglers with limited time for fishing. Half-day fishing trips are a good choice for beginners. Novices can master basic skills and get their first fishing experience during 1/2 day trips.
Full-day fishing trips are also available for anglers in South Carolina. During such trips, anglers can reach remote fishing spots and get a great angling experience. Anglers, who book full-day charters, get snacks during their trips. Full-day trips are a good option for experienced anglers, who would like to land a trophy fish.
Some avid anglers prefer to fish for several days. Multi-day trips give anglers plenty of fishing time, but such trips are more expensive options compared to full-day charters. Fishermen are provided with meals and drinks during multi-day trips.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near Hilton Head, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near Myrtle Beach, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near Murrells Inlet, please check out this helpful article.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near Charleston, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Georgia, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish for redfish in South Carolina, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the fishing in Myrtle Beach, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
