Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, is a charming coastal community known for its rich fishing heritage and abundant marine life. Whether you are a seasoned angler or a beginner, Murrells Inlet offers a diverse and exciting fishing experience year-round. In this guide, we’ll explore what you can expect to catch each month, the regulations you need to follow, and some helpful tips.
January
What to Catch:
- Speckled Trout: Speckled trout are a popular catch in January. Look for them in deeper holes and channels.
- Redfish (Red Drum): Redfish can be found in shallow waters, especially around oyster beds and marshes.
Regulations:
- Speckled Trout: The minimum size limit is 14 inches, and the bag limit is 10 per person per day.
- Redfish: The slot limit is 15-23 inches, with a bag limit of 3 per person per day.
Tips:
- Use live shrimp or soft plastic lures for trout.
- For redfish, cut bait or live minnows work well.
February
What to Catch:
- Black Drum: These fish are often found around structures like docks and piers.
- Sheepshead: Look for them around jetties and pilings where they feed on crustaceans.
Regulations:
- Black Drum: The size limit is 14-27 inches, with a bag limit of 5 per person per day.
- Sheepshead: The minimum size limit is 14 inches, with a bag limit of 10 per person per day.
Tips:
- Fiddler crabs and shrimp are effective baits for sheepshead.
- Use cut bait or shrimp for black drum.
March
What to Catch:
- Flounder: Flounder start to appear in March, particularly around sandy bottoms.
- Bluefish: Bluefish are also common and can be found in the surf and nearshore waters.
Regulations:
- Flounder: The minimum size limit is 15 inches, with a bag limit of 5 per person per day.
- Bluefish: There is no size limit, but the bag limit is 3 per person per day.
Tips:
- Use live minnows or mullet for flounder.
- Metal spoons and jigs work well for bluefish.
April
What to Catch:
- Spanish Mackerel: These fast swimmers are common in April and can be found in nearshore waters.
- Pompano: Pompano can be caught in the surf zone.
Regulations:
- Spanish Mackerel: The minimum size limit is 12 inches, with a bag limit of 15 per person per day.
- Pompano: The minimum size limit is 12 inches, with a bag limit of 3 per person per day.
Tips:
- Use small spoons or jigs for Spanish mackerel.
- Sand fleas and shrimp are great baits for pompano.
May
What to Catch:
- Cobia: Cobia start to appear in May, especially around nearshore wrecks and reefs.
- King Mackerel: King mackerel can be found in deeper waters off the coast.
Regulations:
- Cobia: The minimum size limit is 36 inches, with a bag limit of 1 per person per day.
- King Mackerel: The minimum size limit is 24 inches, with a bag limit of 3 per person per day.
Tips:
- Use live bait such as eels or large minnows for cobia.
- Trolling with live bait or spoons is effective for king mackerel.
June
What to Catch:
- Tarpon: Tarpon are a challenging and exciting catch in June.
- Dolphin (Mahi Mahi): Dolphin can be found in offshore waters.
Regulations:
- Tarpon: There is no size or bag limit, but these fish are usually catch-and-release.
- Dolphin: The minimum size limit is 20 inches, with a bag limit of 10 per person per day.
Tips:
- Use live mullet or crabs for tarpon.
- Ballyhoo or squid are effective for dolphin.
July
What to Catch:
- Snook: Snook can be found in inshore waters, especially around mangroves.
- Sharks: Various shark species are abundant in July.
Regulations:
- Snook: The slot limit is 28-32 inches, with a bag limit of 1 per person per day.
- Sharks: Regulations vary by species; check the South Carolina DNR for details.
Tips:
- Use live baitfish or shrimp for snook.
- For sharks, use larger cut bait and heavy tackle.
August
What to Catch:
- Red Snapper: Red snapper season typically opens in August.
- Triggerfish: Triggerfish are common around reefs and wrecks.
Regulations:
- Red Snapper: Regulations vary by year; check the South Carolina DNR for current limits.
- Triggerfish: The minimum size limit is 14 inches, with a bag limit of 10 per person per day.
Tips:
- Use squid or cut bait for triggerfish.
- For red snapper, use live bait or jigs.
September
What to Catch:
- Mangrove Snapper: Mangrove snapper are abundant around structures.
- Spadefish: Spadefish can be found near buoys and wrecks.
Regulations:
- Mangrove Snapper: The minimum size limit is 10 inches, with a bag limit of 10 per person per day.
- Spadefish: There is no size limit, but the bag limit is 20 per person per day.
Tips:
- Use small live bait or cut bait for mangrove snapper.
- Jelly balls or shrimp work well for spadefish.
October
What to Catch:
- Black Sea Bass: Black sea bass are common around reefs and structures.
- Gag Grouper: Gag grouper can be found in offshore waters.
Regulations:
- Black Sea Bass: The minimum size limit is 13 inches, with a bag limit of 7 per person per day.
- Gag Grouper: The minimum size limit is 24 inches, with a bag limit of 2 per person per day.
Tips:
- Use squid or cut bait for black sea bass.
- For gag grouper, use live bait or jigs.
November
What to Catch:
- Striped Bass: Striped bass start to appear in cooler waters.
- Redfish: Redfish are still abundant in November.
Regulations:
- Striped Bass: The minimum size limit is 26 inches, with a bag limit of 2 per person per day.
- Redfish: The slot limit is 15-23 inches, with a bag limit of 3 per person per day.
Tips:
- Use live baitfish or lures for striped bass.
- For redfish, cut bait or live shrimp are effective.
December
What to Catch:
- Speckled Trout: Speckled trout are still biting in December.
- Flounder: Flounder can be found in deeper channels.
Regulations:
- Speckled Trout: The minimum size limit is 14 inches, with a bag limit of 10 per person per day.
- Flounder: The minimum size limit is 15 inches, with a bag limit of 5 per person per day.
Tips:
- Use live shrimp or soft plastics for speckled trout.
- For flounder, use live minnows or mullet.
Helpful Resources
For more detailed information on fishing regulations and to stay updated on any changes, visit the following resources:
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- NOAA Fisheries
- South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
Things to Be Aware Of
- Weather: Always check the weather forecast before heading out. Sudden storms can make fishing dangerous.
- Licenses: Ensure you have the appropriate fishing licenses. You can purchase them online through the South Carolina DNR website. If you are fishing with us, we take care of this for you.
- Catch and Release: Practice catch and release for species that are not in season or if you’ve reached your bag limit to help preserve the fish populations.
- Local Knowledge: Consider hiring us to help you have the best experience. We are locals who have been fishing the area waters for generations.
Murrells Inlet offers a fantastic fishing experience year round, with various species to target monthly. You can enjoy a successful and enjoyable fishing trip by staying informed about the local regulations and using the proper techniques and baits. Remember to respect the marine environment and practice sustainable fishing to ensure these waters remain productive for future generations.
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