Waterlands

Species guide · South Carolina

Spanish mackerel fishing in South Carolina

Scomberomorus maculatus, a nearshore species also called spanish, spanish mack and spaniard. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Shoulder season, about 6 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Murrells Inlet to South Santee River SC out 20 NM at 54, 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: 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: Off season
  12. Dec: Off season

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

Research notes, South Atlantic region

NOAA: fish reach North Carolina by early April and spawn April to September off North Carolina and Virginia. Northeast Florida and Georgia fish best in spring and fall; the Carolinas hold them all summer.

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 spanish mackerel score this hour.

1
54Good
Coastal waters from Murrells Inlet to South Santee River SC out 20 NM

Best window today 5-8 PM (71) · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 9 AM (72) · 6 named spots

2
53Good
Coastal waters from Edisto Beach SC to Savannah GA out 20 NM

Best window today 5-8 PM (73) · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 9 AM (75) · 28 named spots

3
50Good
Charleston Harbor

Best window today 5-8 PM (73) · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 9 AM (75) · 37 named spots

4
46Good
Coastal waters from Little River Inlet to Murrells Inlet SC out 20 NM

Best window today 5-8 PM (65) · Best day Fri, Sep 25 at 9 AM (67) · 1 named spot

How and where it feeds

Water temperature
Feeds from 68°F to 90°F, best between 72°F and 84°F.
Water depth
5 to 50 ft of water.
Structure
Inlet, rip, pass, jetty, pier, beach and shoal, in that order of preference.
Tide and current
Prefers incoming tide and outgoing tide, with moderate current.Spanish feed where current pushes bait against structure or along tide rips at inlets and passes. Clean incoming water at an inlet is often best. Slack water scatters the schools.
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

Spanish mackerel school along beaches and around inlets, jetties, piers and bridge-tunnel structures, and along tide rips in 5 to 40 feet of water once the water climbs above about 68 degrees F. Troll small spoons or cast metal jigs and retrieve fast, or look for birds diving on bait and cast into the school. FWC calls for a 30 to 60 pound monofilament leader because their teeth cut light line.

Methods
trolling, casting to surface schools, pier fishing, live bait
Lures
small trolling spoon (Clark or Drone), Gotcha plug, metal jig, small bucktail or duster, planer and spoon
Bait
live glass minnows, pilchard, finger mullet, 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 spanish mackerel rule for South Carolina is on file yet. Check with SCDNR before you keep one.

Other South Carolina species