Southern Flounder

Season in Charleston

Peak months: Sep, Oct.

SCDNR: adults move offshore in late fall to spawn and return inshore in spring. SCDNR October forecast: flounder should be good at Edisto; Beaufort flounder on mud minnows and finger mullet around structure. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Edges of the trough, the inside slope of the bar, around pier pilings, jetties and inlet mouths.

On the bottom along trough edges, close to shore, and near inlets.

What to look for

Sand edges and drop-offs where bait gets swept, mullet schools moving along the beach. Southern flounder have no distinct eyespots; summer flounder show five and Gulf flounder three.

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.

Jighead with a scented soft-plastic shrimp or mullet (Gulp style)1/4 to 1/2 oz, 3 to 4 in. Slow drag and hop on the bottom with pauses; scent does the work.

Gold spoon (weedless style)1/2 to 3/4 oz, 2.5 to 3 in. Slow to medium wobble with occasional pauses near the bottom of the trough.

Bait

Live finger mullet (4 to 6 in), Mud minnows. Carolina rig, 1 to 2 oz egg sinker, 18 to 24 in of 20 to 30 lb fluorocarbon, 1/0 to 3/0 hook.

Leader

20 to 30 lb fluorocarbon, 18 to 24 in.

Common mistakes

• Setting the hook immediately on bait (give it a few seconds)
• Fishing too fast; drag it slowly along the bottom
• Losing the fish at the edge; net or slide it, do not lift

Landing

Do not lift a flounder by the line; slide it up on a wave.

Handling

• Sharp teeth

Use pliers; they can cut fingers or line.

Keep or release

16 in minimum, 5 per person per day, shared with summer and Gulf flounder. North Carolina's much stricter season applies once you cross the state line.

Recipes for southern flounder

Typical: 12 to 14 in, 1 to 2 lb. Large: 5 lb and up ('doormats'). SC record 17 lb 6 oz (1974).

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

• SCDNR species profile: southern flounder (Official source)
• SCDNR Saltwater Fishing Trends (pier operator forecasts) (Angler knowledge)
• Fisherman's Post North Myrtle Beach / Little River reports 2025-2026 (Angler knowledge)
• SCDNR species profile: summer flounder (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 Charleston