What’s Biting in South Carolina
The fish anglers catch most across South Carolina by season, from NOAA’s recreational catch survey. 87 species reported in 2024.
Biting now in South Carolina
The species most caught in September and October, the current survey season. The green bar shows how much is kept versus released.
South Carolina fishing season by season
What runs in each two-month window across the year. The current season is highlighted.
When each species peaks in South Carolina
The most-caught species and the season each one runs hardest. Bars show catch across the six two-month waves.
| Species | Peak season | Kept | Catch through the year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Croaker | Sep-Oct | ||
| Pinfish | Sep-Oct | ||
| Red Drum | Jul-Aug | ||
| Spotted Seatrout | Nov-Dec | ||
| Bluefish | May-Jun | ||
| Spot | Sep-Oct | ||
| Black Sea Bass | Jul-Aug | ||
| Southern Kingfish | Mar-Apr | ||
| Spanish Mackerel | May-Jun | ||
| Atlantic Cutlassfish | Sep-Oct | ||
| Black Drum | Sep-Oct | ||
| Pigfish | Jul-Aug | ||
| Sheepshead | May-Jun | ||
| Florida Pompano | Sep-Oct |
Know what's running before you launch
Seasonal catch, tides, and the day's conditions worth knowing for your spots, plus the occasional Pathr update. No spam.
Reading the South Carolina fishing seasons
These are the fish recreational anglers actually report catching in South Carolina, pulled straight from NOAA’s Marine Recreational Information Program, the federal survey that tracks recreational catch. Rank is by total catch, which counts everything caught, kept and released. That is why bait and panfish can top the list alongside the gamefish, and why the kept share matters: it separates what people take home from what they let go.
Use the season-by-season breakdown to plan. When a species’ bar spikes in a two-month window, that is when the catch runs hardest for it in South Carolina. Line that up with the South Carolina fishing times for the daily bite windows, the tide charts, and the sunrise and sunset times to pick your window.
Figures are survey estimates, best read as the shape of the season rather than an exact count. Courtesy: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Frequently asked
What fish are biting in South Carolina right now?+
In September and October, the species anglers report catching most across South Carolina are Pinfish, Atlantic Croaker, Atlantic Cutlassfish, and Florida Pompano. These come from NOAA's 2024 recreational catch survey, so they reflect the typical catch for this season, not a live report.
What is the most caught fish in South Carolina?+
Atlantic Croaker is the most-caught species in South Carolina over the year, followed by Pinfish and Red Drum. "Most caught" counts everything landed and released, so it includes bait and panfish, not just the headline gamefish.
When is the best time to fish in South Carolina?+
It depends on the species. Atlantic Croaker catches peak around Sep-Oct, Pinfish around Sep-Oct. The season-by-season breakdown above shows what is running in each two-month window.
Do anglers keep or release these fish in South Carolina?+
It varies a lot. Across South Carolina, Atlantic Croaker is kept about 7% of the time; a species like striped bass is mostly released. The green bar on each species shows the share kept versus released.
Where does this fishing data come from?+
NOAA's Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP), the federal survey of recreational fishing, 2024 estimates. It covers the Atlantic and Gulf coasts plus Hawaii. Texas, Louisiana, and the Pacific coast are surveyed separately. Figures are survey estimates, so treat them as the shape of the season rather than an exact count.
