Waterlands

Species guide · South Carolina

Greater amberjack fishing in South Carolina

Seriola dumerili, an offshore species also called AJ, amberjack and reef donkey. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Shoulder season, about 10 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM at 55, one of 4 South Carolina bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Shoulder season
Where it's scoring nowAll South Carolina waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

South Atlantic

Shoulder season, about 10 more weeks
  1. Jan: Off season
  2. Feb: Off season
  3. Mar: Shoulder season
  4. Apr: Peak season
  5. May: Peak season
  6. Jun: Peak season
  7. Jul: Shoulder season
  8. Aug: Shoulder season
  9. Sep: Shoulder season
  10. Oct: Shoulder season
  11. Nov: Shoulder season
  12. Dec: Off season

Peak: Apr to Jun. In season (shoulder or peak): Mar to Nov.

Research notes, South Atlantic region

Wrecks, towers and Gulf Stream ledges from Northeast Florida to Cape Hatteras. Regulatory: South Atlantic closes commercial harvest in April; check SAFMC for recreational rules.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 4

South Carolina bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's greater amberjack score this hour.

1
55Good
Coastal waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM

Best window today 5-8 PM (64) · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 9 AM (65) · 28 named spots

2
54Good
Charleston Harbor

Best window today 5-8 PM (61) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 PM (63) · 37 named spots

3
52Good
Coastal waters from Murrells Inlet to South Santee River SC out 20 NM

Best window today 5-8 PM (62) · Best day Sun, Sep 27 at 7 PM (63) · 6 named spots

4
49Good
Coastal waters from Little River Inlet to Murrells Inlet SC out 20 NM

Best window today 4-8 PM (53) · Best day Sat, Sep 26 at 9 AM (55) · 1 named spot

How and where it feeds

Water temperature
Feeds from 64°F to 86°F, best between 68°F and 80°F.
Water depth
50 to 300 ft of water.
Structure
Wreck, reef, pinnacle, ledge and bank, in that order of preference.
Tide and current
Prefers moving water, with moderate current.Tide stage matters less than current offshore. Current running across a wreck or rig tends to hold fish on the up-current side, and dead-slack water often slows the bite.
Light
Little tied to dawn and dusk.
Pressure
Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits
20 kt of wind and 5 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Amberjack school around wrecks, oil rigs, towers and high-relief reefs in 60 to 250 feet, often suspended well above the bottom. Drop a live blue runner or work a heavy jig through the school, then pump hard, because a big AJ runs straight back into the structure. Heavy conventional gear with 50 to 80 pound line is standard.

Methods
vertical jigging, live bait fishing, speed jigging, bottom fishing
Lures
speed jigs, butterfly jigs, large bucktail jigs, diamond jigs, topwater poppers
Bait
live blue runners, live cigar minnows, hardtails, live pinfish, bonito strips

Regulations

SCDNR saltwater regulations Buy a South Carolina fishing license License types

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Synced with SCDNR Sep 18, 2026.

No reviewed greater amberjack rule for South Carolina is on file yet. Check with SCDNR before you keep one.

Other South Carolina species