Waterlands

Species guide · South Carolina

Sailfish fishing in South Carolina

Istiophorus platypterus, a pelagic species also called sail, sails and Atlantic sailfish. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Off season, about 6 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM at 35, one of 3 South Carolina bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Off 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

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

Peak: Dec to Jan. In season (shoulder or peak): Jun to Aug, Nov to Mar.

Research notes, South Atlantic region

Two fisheries in one region. Stuart and Fort Pierce, just north of Jupiter Inlet, peak mid-November through February; Georgia and the Carolinas see fish along the Gulf Stream edge in summer. Water temperature at the spot separates the two, so weight SST here.

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

Where it's scoring now · 3

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

1
35Fair
Coastal waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 12 AM (35) · 28 named spots

2
35Fair
Coastal waters from Little River Inlet to Murrells Inlet SC out 20 NM

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 2 AM (35) · 1 named spot

3
35Fair
Coastal waters from Murrells Inlet to South Santee River SC out 20 NM

Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 12 AM (35) · 6 named spots

Not scored in this forecast: Charleston Harbor.

How and where it feeds

Water temperature
Feeds from 72°F to 87°F, best between 75°F and 83°F.
Water depth
60 to 1500 ft of water.
Structure
Rip, reef, ledge, bluewater and open water, in that order of preference.
Tide and current
Prefers moving water, with moderate current.Tide has little effect offshore. In Southeast Florida the best days come when a north or northeast wind blows against the Gulf Stream behind a cold front, stacking bait along the reef edge and color changes.
Light
Some lift around dawn and dusk.
Pressure
Tends to feed as pressure rises after a front.
Wind and sea limits
22 kt of wind and 6 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Sailfish feed along reef edges and color changes, usually in 80 to 240 feet off Southeast Florida and farther out along the Gulf and Carolina shelf edge. Fly live goggle-eyes, pilchards or threadfins from kites, or slow-troll live ballyhoo, on non-offset circle hooks. In winter the best bite often comes the day or two after a cold front, when north wind stacks bait along the edge.

Methods
kite fishing, slow trolling live bait, trolling rigged ballyhoo, bait and switch
Lures
teasers, skirted ballyhoo, small trolling lures
Bait
live goggle-eyes, live blue runners, pilchards, threadfin herring, live ballyhoo

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

Other South Carolina species