Black Sea Bass

Season

SCDNR: in SC waters year-round; older fish offshore on reefs, smaller fish leave shallow water to overwinter deeper and return in spring. (Our inference)

Where to find them

Tight to pier pilings and jetty rocks; bigger fish on nearshore reefs and hard bottom by boat.

On the bottom right against structure: pier pilings, jetty rocks, reefs.

What to look for

Structure: pilings, rocks, live bottom. Many short fish mean you need to move to bigger structure.

Bait

Squid strips (about 3 in by 1/2 in), Cut mullet or bluefish, Shrimp, Crab. Two-hook dropper rig with 1/0 to 3/0 circle hooks on short droppers, sinker just heavy enough to hold the bottom.

Leader

Short 2 to 3 in droppers with 1/0 to 3/0 circle hooks.

Common mistakes

• Fishing open sand away from structure
• Keeping fish under the 13 in limit (many pier fish are short)

Landing

Swing small fish up; use a pier net for big ones.

Handling

• Sharp dorsal spines
• Sharp gill cover spines

Smooth the dorsal fin down from front to back before you grip it.

Keep or release

13 in TL minimum, 7 per person per day, no closed season in state waters. A dehooking tool and ready descending device are required for snapper-grouper fishing.

Recipes for black sea bass

Typical: About 12 in, 1 lb. Large: 3 lb and up (big males with a blue hump). SC record 8 lb 3 oz (1995).

South Carolina limits

• Minimum: 13 in TL
• Maximum: none
• Bag: 7 per person per day
• Season: No closed season in state waters (out to 3 miles)
• SC law: 5 per person per day or the federal limit, whichever is higher
• A dehooking tool and a ready descending device are required for snapper-grouper fishing

Last checked 2026-10-11. A summary, not legal advice; the official rules win. SC DNR fishing regulations.

Sources

• SCDNR species profile: black sea bass (Official source)
• NWS Wilmington: Myrtle Beach water temperature by month (Springmaid Pier, 2005-2025) (Official source)
• NOAA NEFSC Essential Fish Habitat source document: black sea bass (2nd ed.) (Official source)
• SCDNR saltwater game fish records (Official source)
• SC snapper grouper complex size and catch limits (eRegulations), last updated Aug 5, 2026 (Official source)
• SC Code of Laws Title 50 Chapter 5 (Sec. 50-5-1705 catch limits incl. whiting = Menticirrhus spp., spadefish; black sea bass limit provision) (Official source)

All the fish of Myrtle Beach