Gulf Flounder

Season in Myrtle Beach

Murrells Inlet guides fish nearshore reefs for Gulf flounder from May through November most years; spawns offshore October to February (NC DMF). (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Nearshore artificial reefs and wrecks out to about 60 ft (Pawleys Reef, 3-Mile Reef, Myrtle Beach Rocks); a boat fish more than a beach fish.

On the bottom right on top of nearshore reefs and wrecks.

What to look for

Three dark eyespots in a triangle on the eyed side.

What to throw

Bucktail or jighead with a 4 to 5 in paddle tail1/2 to 1 oz, 4 to 5 in tail. Slow hops along the bottom: lift, drop, let it touch, repeat.

Bait

Live mud minnows, Small live mullet. Carolina rig: 1/2 to 3/4 oz egg sinker, 12 to 16 in of 20 to 30 lb mono leader; or a jighead.

Leader

20 to 30 lb mono, 12 to 16 in.

Common mistakes

• Drifting off the reef instead of staying on top of it

Landing

Net it.

Handling

• Strong canine-like teeth

Use pliers to unhook.

Keep or release

16 in TL minimum, 5 per person per day (10 per boat), shared with southern and summer flounder.

Recipes for gulf flounder

Typical: About 14 in, 2 lb. Large: About 5 lb. SC record 6 lb 4.8 oz (Murrells Inlet, 2021).

South Carolina limits

• Minimum: 16 in TL
• Maximum: none
• Bag: 5 per person per day
• Boat: 10 per boat per day
• Season: Open year-round
• In effect since July 1, 2021
• North Carolina rules apply north of the state line (Little River / Hog Inlet area)
• Covers southern, summer and Gulf flounder

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

Sources

• Carolina Sportsman: Gulf flounder on nearshore reefs, Murrells Inlet (Angler knowledge)
• NC Division of Marine Fisheries: flounder (Gulf, southern, summer) (Official source)
• Florida FWC: Gulf flounder profile (Official source)
• SCDNR saltwater game fish records (Official source)
• SC finfish size and catch limits 2026-2027 (eRegulations, linked from SCDNR), last updated Aug 11, 2026 (Official source)

All the fish of Myrtle Beach