If you’ve spent any time flipping through photos of recent catches here at Fish Findert, you’ve probably noticed a shiny, striped fish that looks like it swam out of an aquarium.
That’s the Atlantic spadefish — and around Murrells Inlet, they’re a common and exciting catch.
How to Identify a Spadefish
Spadefish have a deep, flat body with vertical black stripes across their silvery sides. Many anglers think they look like angelfish — and at first glance, they do.
Adults usually weigh 3–6 pounds, though bigger ones in the 8–10 pound range aren’t unusual.
Where We Catch Them
Spadefish love structure. Around Murrells Inlet, we find them on nearshore reefs, wrecks, and other underwater structure.
They often travel in big schools, which means when you hook one, you can expect more nearby. Calm summer and fall days are the best times to target them.
Why Anglers Love Them
- Schooling Behavior – When spadefish show up, they often show up in numbers.
- Fun on Light Tackle – They fight hard for their size and keep rods bent.
- Great Eating – They’re mild and flaky on the table, a favorite among local anglers.
- Photogenic – Their shiny stripes make them one of the most recognizable (and Instagram-worthy) fish in South Carolina waters.
How We Target Them
One of the most effective ways to catch spadefish is by using jellyfish or small pieces of clam as bait, free-lined or lightly weighted.
They’ll also hit small jigs when they’re feeding aggressively. Spotting a school near the surface often means fast action.
Conservation Notes
Spadefish aren’t as tightly regulated as redfish or trout, but size and bag limits still apply in South Carolina. We always follow the latest SCDNR guidelines to help keep the fishery sustainable.
Catch Your Own Spadefish
Whether you’re an experienced angler or brand new to fishing, spadefish are a crowd-pleaser. They fight hard, school up, and look amazing in photos. And on a calm fall day in Murrells Inlet, finding a school of spadefish can turn a good trip into a great one.
Call or text today to plan your trip and see if we can put a few of these striped beauties in the boat.
