Weakfish

Season in Charleston

SCDNR statewide: present year-round, most abundant April to November, schools form as water cools in fall. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Pier lights at night, inlets, deeper holes.

Mid-water, around piers and inlets.

What to look for

Bait under lights, swirls at the edge of the light.

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.

Metal casting jig (diamond, Hopkins or Stingsilver style)1 to 2 oz, 3 to 4 in. Fast steady retrieve for mackerel; let it sink and rip it up for blues; jig near bottom for weakfish.

Swimming minnow plug (Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow style)3/4 to 1 oz, 4 to 5 in. Steady medium retrieve with occasional twitches and pauses.

Bait

Shrimp, Cut bait. Light bottom rig or float.

Leader

20 lb fluorocarbon.

Common mistakes

• Pulling hooks: very soft mouth

Landing

Gentle, steady pressure.

Handling

• Canine teeth

Use pliers.

Keep or release

12 in minimum, only 1 per person per day.

Recipes for weakfish

Typical: About 13 in, 1 lb. Large: 5 lb and up. SC record 11 lb 13 oz (1981).

South Carolina limits

• Minimum: 12 in TL
• Maximum: none
• Bag: 1 per person per day
• Season: Open year-round

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: weakfish (Official source)
• FishBase species summary: Cynoscion regalis (weakfish) (Official source)
• Gregg Holshouser Grand Strand fishing reports, 2019-2020 (mirror) (Angler knowledge)
• SCDNR Saltwater Fishing Trends (pier operator forecasts) (Angler knowledge)
• SC finfish size and catch limits 2026-2027 (eRegulations, linked from SCDNR), last updated Aug 11, 2026 (Official source)

All the fish of Charleston