Fish guide
Pinfish
Lagodon rhomboides. Also called Sea bream, Pin perch, Sand perch.
Showing the fish for Southern North Carolina coast.
Season in Southern NC
FishOS's Myrtle Beach chart for this species (same Carolina beach type, about 60 to 150 miles south) carried north with slightly cooler water: NCEI averages at Wrightsville Beach are 52 to 58 F December to February and 78 to 83 F June to September. (Our inference)
Season by region
| Myrtle Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| Southern NC | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Charleston | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Georgia | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Northeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Space Coast | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
Where to find them
Pier pilings, jetty rocks, docks.
Right against pilings and rocks.
What to look for
Small silvery fish with yellow and blue stripes and a dark shoulder spot stealing your bait.
Bait
Small pieces of shrimp, Squid, Bloodworms. Two-hook bottom rig with small hooks, or a sabiki rig.
Leader
Light line, small hooks.
Common mistakes
- Hooks too large to catch them
Landing
Swing it up.
Handling
- Sharp dorsal spines
- Incisor-like teeth
Smooth the dorsal fin down before gripping.
Keep or release
Mostly used as live bait. Check NC rules.
Typical: 2 to 4 in. Large: Up to 8 in.
Limits
FishOS has not checked the NC limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the NC Division of Marine Fisheries before you keep a fish.
Sources
- NC Division of Marine Fisheries: pinfish (Official source)
- UF/IFAS FA168: pinfish (temperature and salinity) (Official source)
Is pinfish worth it today?
The planner rates it for your exact time with the live tide, weather and water temperature.
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