Waterlands

Species guide · South Carolina

Little tunny fishing in South Carolina

Euthynnus alletteratus, a pelagic species also called false albacore, albie and fat albert. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Peak season, about 3 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in Charleston Harbor at 70, one of 4 South Carolina bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Peak 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

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

Peak: Oct to Nov. In season (shoulder or peak): Mar to May, Sep to Dec.

Research notes, South Atlantic region

North Carolina recreational catch peaks in September and October and the Cape Lookout run from mid-October through November is the best-known shore and small-boat fishery; North Carolina commercial landings peak November-February. Fish winter off the Carolinas and Florida and move north in spring, and Florida lands most of the Atlantic coast recreational harvest. Few states regulate them.

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 little tunny score this hour.

1
70Great
Charleston Harbor

Best window today 11 PM-12 AM (70) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (84) · 37 named spots

2
70Great
Coastal waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM

Best window today 11 PM-12 AM (70) · Best day Wed, Nov 4 at 8 AM (84) · 28 named spots

3
63Good
Coastal waters from Murrells Inlet to South Santee River SC out 20 NM

Best window today 11 PM-12 AM (63) · Best day Sat, Nov 7 at 10 AM (81) · 6 named spots

4
62Good
Coastal waters from Little River Inlet to Murrells Inlet SC out 20 NM

Best window today 11 PM-12 AM (62) · Best day Tue, Nov 10 at 4 PM (76) · 1 named spot

How and where it feeds

Water temperature
Feeds from 58°F to 82°F, best between 63°F and 74°F.
Water depth
5 to 150 ft of water.
Structure
Inlet, point, rip, jetty, shoal, open water, reef and beach, in that order of preference.
Tide and current
Prefers moving water and outgoing tide, with moderate current.Albies pin bait against points, jetties and inlet mouths on a moving tide, and the ebb out of inlets often sets up the best surface feeds. In open water they follow bait more than the tide.
Light
Bites best around dawn and dusk.
Pressure
Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits
18 kt of wind and 4 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Little tunny travel fast in schools that pin bait against inlets, points, jetties and tide rips, usually within a few miles of shore and often in less than 60 feet. Stay off the school's path, wait for it to surface within range, and cast small metal or epoxy jigs with a fast retrieve. When fish stay down, troll small feathers along bait edges and color changes to find them.

Methods
sight casting, run and gun, trolling, fly fishing, live bait
Lures
small metal casting jigs, epoxy jigs, slim soft plastic jerkbaits, small trolling feathers, surf candy style flies
Bait
live pinfish, live spot, live pilchards, bay anchovies

Regulations

SCDNR saltwater regulations Buy a South Carolina fishing license License types

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Synced with SCDNR Nov 2, 2026.

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

Other South Carolina species