Tarpon

Season in Charleston

Peak months: Jul, Aug.

SCDNR: in SC from April, peaking July and August. SCDNR October forecast: Charleston tarpon stay through mid-October on large mullet schools; at Hilton Head they remain early in the month and the latest caught has been around October 20. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Charleston Harbor, inlet mouths and the beachfront around big mullet and menhaden schools from midsummer into mid-October; Hilton Head fish linger into early October (SCDNR forecast).

Inlets, jetties and just past the breakers where menhaden and mullet schools are.

What to look for

Rolling fish at the surface, menhaden schools being pushed.

Bait

Live menhaden (pogies), Large live mullet. 8/0 non-offset, non-stainless circle hook (required in SC for natural bait at 4/0 and up) on 100 lb fluorocarbon leader, fished near bait schools.

Leader

80 to 100 lb fluorocarbon, 3 to 5 ft.

Common mistakes

• Fishing without bait schools around
• Pulling a big tarpon out of the water for a photo

Landing

Do not lift or beach a large tarpon. Keep it in the water, gills submerged; cut the line near the hook if it is gut-hooked.

Handling

• Very strong; jumps and thrashes
• Rough mouth

Keep big fish in the water (Florida requires it for fish over 40 in); support smaller fish horizontally under the belly with wet hands.

Keep or release

SC: 77 in fork length minimum, 1 per person per day, rod and reel only; gamefish circle hook rule applies. Release is the norm.

Recipes for tarpon

Typical: 40 to 60 in, 40 to 60 lb. Large: Over 100 lb. SC record 154 lb 10 oz (1987).

South Carolina limits

• Minimum: 77 in FL
• Maximum: none
• Bag: 1 per person per day
• Season: Open year-round
• Rod and reel only
• Gamefish: since July 1, 2026 natural bait on hooks 4/0 or larger needs a non-stainless, non-offset circle hook

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: tarpon (Official source)
• SCDNR Saltwater Fishing Trends (pier operator forecasts) (Angler knowledge)
• Carolina Sportsman: tarpon have arrived along the SC coastline (Angler knowledge)
• Carolina Sportsman: 100-pound tarpon landed from Apache Pier, Myrtle Beach (2019) (Angler knowledge)
• 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)
• 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)
• SC saltwater general information: license, circle hooks, gamefish, Horry pier buffer, last updated Aug 11, 2026 (Official source)

All the fish of Charleston