When is red drum (redfish) season in South Carolina?

South Carolina keeps red drum (redfish) open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.

What is the South Carolina bag limit for red drum (redfish)?

The South Carolina daily bag limit for red drum (redfish) is Through June 30, 2026: 2 / day per angler, 6 per boat per day max. From July 1, 2026 (Act 231): 1 / day per angler, 2 per boat per day max. The possession limit is Same as daily bag. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size red drum (redfish) can you keep in South Carolina?

The South Carolina size rule for red drum (redfish) is 15–23 in protected slot through June 30, 2026; 18–25 in protected slot from July 1, 2026 (Act 231) — undersized AND oversized must be released. Slot limit: 15–23 in slot (through June 30, 2026); 18–25 in slot (from July 1, 2026, Act 231) — only fish within slot retainable; oversized (bull reds) must be released.

Do you need a license to fish for red drum (redfish) in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina requires a valid fishing license to fish for red drum (redfish), with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a South Carolina license — compare resident and non-resident South Carolina fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for red drum (redfish) in South Carolina?

Yes. In South Carolina, red drum (redfish) fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line + cast net for bait collection; gigs prohibited for red drum Dec 1 – Feb 28; From July 1, 2026: non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hook (4/0 min) required for saltwater game fish on natural bait with a hand-held hook and line (Act 231); Saltwater Recreational Licence required (purchase from SCDNR); Boat limit applies to total catch on the boat, not per-angler (6 / boat through June 30, 2026; 2 / boat from July 1, 2026).

Do specific South Carolina waters have different red drum (redfish) rules?

Yes. 5 named South Carolina waters carry rules that override the statewide red drum (redfish) regulation, including Charleston Harbor, ACE Basin (Ashepoo / Combahee / Edisto), Winyah Bay system, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

South Carolina Red drum (redfish) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Sciaenops ocellatus

Last updated June 9, 2026

South Carolina's saltwater red drum (redfish) fishery runs statewide from Little River Inlet on the NC border to the Savannah River mouth on the GA border. Through June 30, 2026 it is protected under a 15–23 inch slot, 2 fish per angler per day, 6 fish per boat per day maximum. Effective July 1, 2026, Act 231 of 2026 tightens the rule to an 18–25 inch slot, 1 fish per angler per day, and 2 fish per boat per day — and requires a non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hook (4/0 minimum) when fishing for saltwater game fish with natural bait on a hand-held hook and line. Only fish within the slot may be retained; undersized and oversized 'bull reds' (the spawning stock) must be released. Charleston Harbor, the ACE Basin (Ashepoo + Combahee + Edisto), Winyah Bay (Georgetown), and the Beaufort / Hilton Head sounds all support strong inshore red drum populations year-round.

Compare red drum (redfish) regulations across all states →

Get change alerts

Watch South Carolina Red drum (redfish) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

Season

Open year-round Open year-round in saltwater statewide. May not be harvested by gig Dec 1 – Feb 28.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: Through June 30, 2026: 2 / day per angler, 6 per boat per day max. From July 1, 2026 (Act 231): 1 / day per angler, 2 per boat per day max
Possession: Same as daily bag

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 15–23 in protected slot through June 30, 2026; 18–25 in protected slot from July 1, 2026 (Act 231) — undersized AND oversized must be released
Slot: 15–23 in slot (through June 30, 2026); 18–25 in slot (from July 1, 2026, Act 231) — only fish within slot retainable; oversized (bull reds) must be released

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line + cast net for bait collection; gigs prohibited for red drum Dec 1 – Feb 28
From July 1, 2026: non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hook (4/0 min) required for saltwater game fish on natural bait with a hand-held hook and line (Act 231)
Saltwater Recreational Licence required (purchase from SCDNR)
Boat limit applies to total catch on the boat, not per-angler (6 / boat through June 30, 2026; 2 / boat from July 1, 2026)

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific South Carolina waters:

Charleston Harbor + Cooper / Wando / Ashley Rivers
15–23 in slot, 2 / day, 6 / boat (→ 18–25 in, 1 / day, 2 / boat from July 1, 2026)
ACE Basin (Ashepoo / Combahee / Edisto)
15–23 in slot, 2 / day (→ 18–25 in, 1 / day from July 1, 2026) — premier inshore fishery
Winyah Bay + Waccamaw / Pee Dee tidal reaches
15–23 in slot, 2 / day (→ 18–25 in, 1 / day from July 1, 2026)
Beaufort + Port Royal Sound
15–23 in slot, 2 / day (→ 18–25 in, 1 / day from July 1, 2026)
Hilton Head + Calibogue Sound
15–23 in slot, 2 / day (→ 18–25 in, 1 / day from July 1, 2026)

Official source

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 South Carolinafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

The red drum (redfish) rules on this page are sourced from South Carolina Department of Natural Resources's official red drum (redfish) regulation page.

Visit official South Carolina fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Red drum (redfish) closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any South Carolina trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is red drum (redfish) season in South Carolina?: South Carolina keeps red drum (redfish) open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
What is the South Carolina bag limit for red drum (redfish)?: The South Carolina daily bag limit for red drum (redfish) is Through June 30, 2026: 2 / day per angler, 6 per boat per day max. From July 1, 2026 (Act 231): 1 / day per angler, 2 per boat per day max. The possession limit is Same as daily bag. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size red drum (redfish) can you keep in South Carolina?: The South Carolina size rule for red drum (redfish) is 15–23 in protected slot through June 30, 2026; 18–25 in protected slot from July 1, 2026 (Act 231) — undersized AND oversized must be released. Slot limit: 15–23 in slot (through June 30, 2026); 18–25 in slot (from July 1, 2026, Act 231) — only fish within slot retainable; oversized (bull reds) must be released.
Do you need a license to fish for red drum (redfish) in South Carolina?: Yes. South Carolina requires a valid fishing license to fish for red drum (redfish), with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a South Carolina license — compare resident and non-resident South Carolina fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for red drum (redfish) in South Carolina?: Yes. In South Carolina, red drum (redfish) fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line + cast net for bait collection; gigs prohibited for red drum Dec 1 – Feb 28; From July 1, 2026: non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hook (4/0 min) required for saltwater game fish on natural bait with a hand-held hook and line (Act 231); Saltwater Recreational Licence required (purchase from SCDNR); Boat limit applies to total catch on the boat, not per-angler (6 / boat through June 30, 2026; 2 / boat from July 1, 2026).
Do specific South Carolina waters have different red drum (redfish) rules?: Yes. 5 named South Carolina waters carry rules that override the statewide red drum (redfish) regulation, including Charleston Harbor, ACE Basin (Ashepoo / Combahee / Edisto), Winyah Bay system, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

← Back to South Carolina regulations overview