Species guide · South Carolina

Red snapper fishing in South Carolina

Lutjanus campechanus, an offshore species also called American red snapper, sow snapper and chicken snapper. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Shoulder season, about 32 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Murrells Inlet to South Santee River SC out 20 NM at 60, one of 4 South Carolina bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Shoulder season

Where it's scoring now All 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 32 more weeks

Jan: Shoulder season
Feb: Shoulder season
Mar: Shoulder season
Apr: Shoulder season
May: Peak season
Jun: Peak season
Jul: Peak season
Aug: Peak season
Sep: Shoulder season
Oct: Shoulder season
Nov: Shoulder season
Dec: Shoulder season

Peak: May to Aug. In season (shoulder or peak): all year.

Research notes, South Atlantic region

Common on ledges and live bottom from Northeast Florida to the Carolinas. Regulatory: the recreational harvest season has been a few days in July (July 11-12 in 2025); release fish with a descending device the rest of the year.

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 snapper score this hour.

60Good

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

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (60) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 6 PM (65) · 6 named spots

57Good

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

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (62) · Best day Sun, Sep 20 at 7 AM (66) · 28 named spots

56Good

Charleston Harbor

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (59) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 9 AM (63) · 37 named spots

56Good

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

Best window today 8-11 PM (56) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 9 AM (61) · 1 named spot

How and where it feeds

Water temperature: Feeds from 58°F to 86°F, best between 64°F and 80°F.
Water depth: 40 to 350 ft of water.
Structure: Reef, wreck, ledge, bank and pinnacle, in that order of preference.
Tide and current: Prefers moving water, with light current.Tide stage matters little offshore. Light current carries chum to the fish and lets baits hold near the structure; strong current makes it hard to stay on a small reef or wreck.
Light: Some lift around dawn and dusk; feeds at night too.
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 snapper school over rigs, wrecks, artificial reefs and natural ledges, mostly in 60 to 250 feet. Anchor or drift over the structure, chum, and drop cut or live cigar minnows, sardines or squid on circle hooks, using as little weight as the current allows. Federal rules require circle hooks with natural bait in the Gulf and a descending device or venting tool on board.

Methods: bottom fishing, chumming, drifting, vertical jigging
Lures: butterfly jigs, bucktail jigs tipped with squid, flat-fall jigs
Bait: cigar minnows, Spanish sardines, squid, cut menhaden, live pinfish

Regulations

SCDNR saltwater regulations Buy a South Carolina fishing license License types

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Synced with SCDNR Sep 16, 2026.

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