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Snapper Grouper Complex Size & Catch Limits

Hunting Regulations Icon 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
  • In April, for-hire vessels are limited to
    1 per person/day or
    1 per person/trip.
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
  • If caught must be released by cutting the line and not removing the fish from the water.

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
  • Tomtates are excluded from the bag limit.
Gray Triggerfish 12-inch FL
Spadefish 14-inch TL (state waters)
  • 30 per boat per day (state waters)