6 of the best fish to catch in SC inlets, rivers and beaches this fall
With cooler temperatures, fewer tourists and more relaxed regulations in some municipalities, fall is the perfect time for a South Carolina fishing trip. The Palmetto State offers a variety of fish both inland and at sea. Here are some of the most popular catches in South Carolina during the autumn months.
Bluefish migrate down the Atlantic Coast in the fall, trading chillier northeastern waters for the warmth of the South. Named for their blueish color, these fish are popular prey averaging 10 to 20 inches. Bluefish travel in schools and can be found in shallow coastal waterways.
Found in rivers, estuaries, tidal creeks, inlets and shallow coastal waters, flounders are flat fish with both eyes on one side of their bodies. Flounders are so popular in the Palmetto state that in 2021 South Carolina enacted regulations requiring the fish be a minimum of 16 inches to be harvested and limiting anglers to five of them per person per day and 10 per boat per day.
Sometimes called kingfish or surmayi, king mackerel are another migratory species that make their way south to the warm waters of the South Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico when temperatures begin to drop. King mackerel are popular for both recreational fishing and food fishing. Although most are between 10 and 30 pounds, king mackerel have been known to reach more than 90 pounds.
Also called red drum and spottail bass, redfish are popular targets for anglers in South Carolina. While the average size for a redfish is 18 inches, some massive redfish bulls can reach 5 feet in length. Adults can be found in tidal creeks, oyster reefs and beaches, while juveniles stick to estuaries and salt marshes.
Sometimes referred to simply as speckled trout, speckled sea trout are found in estuaries along the Atlantic Ocean from Maryland to Florida. Although these trout have a somewhat off-putting appearance owing to their mouths full of teeth, spotted sea trout are popular targets and meals. Averaging 14 inches in length, spotted sea trout are most often found in estuaries but are also known to dwell in bays and barrier islands.
These silvery fish are another massively popular species in South Carolina. Averaging 40 to 60 inches when fully grown, tarpon make for a sizable catch. Adults are commonly found in nearshore habitats, like estuaries, bays, sounds and rivers. Not fond of the cold, tarpon migrate south, passing through South Carolina in the summer and fall.
No matter what you’re fishing for, be sure to check that you’re properly licensed and up-to-date on all South Carolina Department of Natural Resources fishing regulations.
