By Captain Jason Webber, USCG-licensed captain, Myrtle Beach Sport Fishing, Murrells Inlet, SC.
If you fished South Carolina before this summer, the redfish rules you know are out of date. As of 1 July 2026 the slot is 18 to 25 inches, the limit is one fish per person, and no more than two red drum may be kept per boat per day.
What changed, in one table
These limits were last checked 4 September 2026. Rules change; confirm on saltwaterfishing.sc.gov before you keep a fish.
| Rule | Before 1 July 2026 | From 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Slot (keeper size) | 15 to 23 inches | 18 to 25 inches |
| Per person per day | 2 | 1 |
| Per boat per day | 6 | 2 |
| Hooks with natural bait, 4/0 and larger | No requirement | Non-offset, non-stainless circle hook |
Why the rules changed
The change came out of Act 231 (Senate bill 961), ratified in May 2026 and effective on the first of July; the bill text is on the South Carolina Statehouse site. Behind it is a 2024 stock assessment from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission that found red drum along the southern Atlantic coast at unsustainable levels. Fewer fish coming through means tighter limits, and that is where we are.
The circle hook requirement
If you are fishing natural bait on a hook 4/0 or larger for red drum, cobia or tarpon, it now has to be a non-offset, non-stainless circle hook. Smaller hooks and artificial lures are not affected. Circle hooks set in the corner of the mouth, which is the whole point: a fish you release swims off with a small hole in its jaw instead of a hook in its gut.
What this means on a charter
Honestly, almost nothing. We were already running circle hooks. The bull reds people come here for in October, the 20 to 40 pound fish around the jetties and the nearshore wrecks, were release-only before this rule and they still are. What changes is how many keeper-sized fish go home in the cooler, and we would rather tell you that up front than have it come as a surprise at the dock.
The fall bull red run is on right now
October is the peak. Bull reds move around the Murrells Inlet jetties and the nearshore bars and wrecks as the water falls through the 70s, and slot fish school shallow enough to sight-fish. This is 4-Hour Reef & Wreck Charter water, inside 15 miles in 10 to 30 feet, and the October forecast has the rest of the month’s picture. Red drum has its own entry in our species guide.
How to release a big red so it swims off strong
- Keep the fish in the water while the hook comes out if you can; a big red does not need to come over the rail for a photo.
- If you lift it, support it horizontally with a hand under the belly. Never hang a bull red by the jaw.
- Keep air time under a few seconds.
- Hold it upright alongside the boat, facing into the current, until it kicks off on its own.
Where to read the rule yourself
The current South Carolina saltwater limits are on saltwaterfishing.sc.gov and eRegulations. Check the effective date on any page you read; some older PDFs still show the previous slot.
Want to fish the run? Call (843) 231-5453 or check live availability.
Frequently asked questions
What is the red drum slot limit in South Carolina in 2026?
18 to 25 inches, effective 1 July 2026. Fish under 18 or over 25 inches must be released.
How many redfish can you keep per boat in South Carolina?
Two per boat per day, and one per person per day, under the rules that took effect on 1 July 2026.
Do I have to use circle hooks for red drum in South Carolina?
Yes when fishing natural bait on hooks 4/0 or larger: a non-offset, non-stainless circle hook is required for red drum, cobia and tarpon. Artificial lures and smaller hooks are not affected.
When is the fall bull red run in Murrells Inlet?
October is the peak, as water temperature falls through the 70s. Bull reds of 20 to 40 pounds work the jetties and nearshore wrecks; all fish over the slot are released.