Snapper Grouper Complex Size & Catch Limits
South Carolina
Hunting & Fishing
Many of these species are managed under annual catch limits. Seasons may be closed when catch limits are met. Visit http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov for the latest information on the status of annual catch limits. These species are also managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) in federal waters. Regulations may change. Please contact the SAFMC at 843-571-4366 or www.safmc.net to get the most up to date regulations on these species. You can also download the FREE mobile application Fish Rules. Fish Rules is available for both android and apple products. Recreational, for-hire, and commercial fishermen are required to use dehooking tools and to possess a descending device that is ready for use when fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper species. They are also required to use non-stainless, non-offset circle hooks when fishing with hook and line and natural baits for snapper-grouper species. Sale of snapper grouper under the recreational bag limit is prohibited. For-hire vessels must have a Snapper Grouper permit to fish for these species in federal waters. The harvest and possession of snapper grouper species by commercial and recreational fishermen will be limited to the recreational bag limit within the Special Management Zones. See “Special Information” (General Information) for information on SMZs. Sea Turtle Release Gear Requirements: For-hire vessels fishing for snapper grouper species and possessing a federal for-fire permit must have onboard NMFS approved sea turtle release gear and follow release protocols. For more information, call 727-824-5312 or visit, http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/turtle_sawfish_release/index.html | ||||
Species | Closed Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Restrictions |
Greater Amberjack | 1 per person per day | 28-inch FL |
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Hogfish | 2 per person per day | 17-inch FL | ||
Wreckfish | Closed: Jan. 1 – June 30 and Sept. 1 – Dec. 31 | 1 per vessel per day | ||
Seabass | ||||
Black Seabass | In federal waters, closed when Annual Catch Limit (ACL) is met | 7 per person per day | 13-inch TL | |
Porgies and Snappers | ||||
Red Porgy | 3 per person per day | 14-inch TL | ||
Vermilion Snapper | 5 per person per day | 12-inch TL | ||
Red Snapper | Possession prohibited | Possession prohibited | ||
Lane Snapper | 10 per person per day from this group | 8-inch TL | ||
Cubera, Yellowtail, Gray | 12-inch TL | |||
Blackfin, Silk and Queen Snapper | ||||
Mutton Snapper | 5 per person per day, included in the above group limit of 10 per person per day | 18-inch TL | ||
Grouper and Tilefish | ||||
Gag & Black Grouper | Closed: Jan. 1 – Apr. 30 | Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit; Maximum of 1 gag or black grouper (but not both) per person/day | 24-inch TL | |
Scamp, Red, Yellowfin, & Yellowmouth Groupers | Closed: Jan. 1 – Apr. 30 | Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit | 20-inch TL | |
Golden Tilefish, Blueline Tilefish, and Sand Tilefish | Closed: Sept. 1 – Apr. 30 | Included in 3 grouper aggregate bag limit; Blueline tilefish – 3 per person per day (May-August only); Golden tilefish – 1 fish per person per day | ||
Misty & Yellowedge Grouper | Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit | |||
Coney, Graysby, Red Hind & Rock Hind | Closed: Jan. 1 – Apr. 30 | Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit | ||
Snowy Grouper | Sept. 1 – Apr. 30 | Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit; Only 1 fish per VESSEL per day (May – August only) | ||
Warsaw and Speckled Hind | Possession prohibited | Possession prohibited | ||
Nassau & Goliath Grouper | Possession prohibited | Possession prohibited |
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All Other Snapper Grouper Complex Species | ||||
Including but not limited to: Lesser Amberjack; White Grunt; Scup; Almaco & Bar Jacks; Margate; Whitebone, Knobbed, Jolthead, Saucereye & Longspine Porgies; Banded Rudderfish; Sailors Choice; Bank Seabass | 20 per person per day aggregate with no more than 10 of any one species |
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Gray Triggerfish | 12-inch FL | |||
Spadefish | 14-inch TL (state waters) |
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