Waterlands

Species guide · South Carolina

Red grouper fishing in South Carolina

Epinephelus morio, an offshore species also called reds and grouper. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Shoulder season, about 6 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM at 62, 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 6 more weeks
  1. Jan: Off season
  2. Feb: Off season
  3. Mar: Off season
  4. Apr: Off season
  5. May: Shoulder season
  6. Jun: Shoulder season
  7. Jul: Shoulder season
  8. Aug: Shoulder season
  9. Sep: Shoulder season
  10. Oct: Shoulder season
  11. Nov: Off season
  12. Dec: Off season

No peak months. In season (shoulder or peak): May to Oct.

Research notes, South Atlantic region

Present on Carolina and Georgia live bottom, but catch is mostly incidental to gag and snapper trips. Regulatory: closed Jan 1-Apr 30, and federal waters off NC and SC stay closed until June 1 (SAFMC).

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 red grouper score this hour.

1
62Good
Coastal waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM

Best window today 7-8 PM (62) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 8 AM (66) · 28 named spots

2
60Good
Charleston Harbor

Best window today 7-8 PM (60) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 7 AM (62) · 37 named spots

3
60Good
Coastal waters from Murrells Inlet to South Santee River SC out 20 NM

Best window today 7-8 PM (60) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 6 PM (65) · 6 named spots

4
54Good
Coastal waters from Little River Inlet to Murrells Inlet SC out 20 NM

Best window today 7-8 PM (54) · Best day Thu, Sep 24 at 8 AM (60) · 1 named spot

How and where it feeds

Water temperature
Feeds from 59°F to 86°F, best between 66°F and 77°F.
Water depth
30 to 300 ft of water.
Structure
Reef, ledge, bank and wreck, in that order of preference.
Tide and current
Prefers moving water, with light current.No published tide effect. Light current keeps baits on the bottom over small patches of hard bottom and helps when drifting to find fish.
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

Red grouper live on low limestone ledges and potholed live bottom across the West Florida Shelf, mostly in 60 to 250 feet. Drift to find hard bottom, then anchor and fish live pinfish, grunts or squid on the bottom with stout conventional tackle. Reel hard right after the bite, because they dive into holes, and use a descending device on fish released from deep water.

Methods
bottom fishing, drifting, anchoring over hard bottom
Lures
bucktail jigs tipped with squid
Bait
live pinfish, grunts, squid, octopus, cut bait, shrimp

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 red grouper rule for South Carolina is on file yet. Check with SCDNR before you keep one.

Other South Carolina species