The tidal waters of South Carolina provide ocean and deep-sea saltwater fishing enthusiasts with many opportunities. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) enforces specific regulations concerning annual license fees, fishing methods, and specially protected management zones. These laws are designed to conserve and protect the state's wildlife and aquatic habitats.
The SCDNR requires anyone 16 or older to have a saltwater fishing license. The only exception is fishing, shrimping or crabbing on a hired, licensed charter vessel or on a licensed public fishing pier. Unlicensed anglers who use those options may only use three or less hand-lines without hooks and with a single bait per line, three or less fold-up traps, and three or less drop nets while fishing. Operators of powerboats and charter vessels transporting nets or any other kind of commercial fishing equipment must have vessel decals displayed and possess a commercial license.
The hook and line saltwater fishing regulations prohibit individuals in a boat from fishing within 300 feet of commercial piers reaching into the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, Horry County requires that all fishing in waters by the shore must be within 50 feet on either side or beyond any ocean pier. When fishing for tuna, bill fish and swordfish in federal or state waters, fishermen need a Federal Highly Migratory Species Permit. Shark fishing in federal waters requires a permit as well.
This permitted technique uses barbless hooks to drag in clustered schools of fish. However, in the months of December, January and February, it's illegal for fisherman to gig red drum or spotted sea trout. Georgetown County also prohibits gigging during the day for fish from the northern tip of North Island to the northern tip of Magnolia Beach.
The season never closes for fishermen casting nets, but they do need a special license for catching shrimp. The regulations concerning anchor, set, stake and drift nets differs in the sense that the season only closes for herring, shad and sturgeon. SCDNR also prohibits fishermen from taking red drum, spotted sea trout and sharks by gill nets. Additional restrictions regulate the dimensions, deployment and placement of these nets in regard to specific areas.
Federal regulations protect many artificial reefs as special management zones, including Charleston Deep Artificial Reef, Snowy Grouper Wreck, Northern SC and Edisto, all off the South Carolina coast. Bottom long-lining for sharks and fishing for snapper grouper is prohibited in these areas. Species declared as native game fish, such as channel bass, spotted sea trout, striped bass and tarpon, may not be sold under any condition. Law prohibits possession and use of a bang-stick or any other kind of underwater firearm to fish for any marine species.
