SlotGaugeCheck a catchBlack Sea Bass regulations in South Carolina
· Saltwater · 2026 season
Black Sea Bass size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC state waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | 13 inch minimum | 7 per person per day |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi) | Open year-round | 13 inch minimum | 7 per person per day |
Notes
- State waters (0–3 mi) have no closed season; federal closures from SAFMC apply beyond 3 mi and can change mid-year when catch limits are met — check safmc.net before an offshore trip.
Exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording
- Season
- Open year-round in state waters
- Size
- 13 inch total length
- Limit
- 7 per person per day
- statewide — as printed
- “Black Sea Bass | Open year-round | 7 per person per day | 13 inch total length”
Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).
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About the black sea bass
Species of fish
The black sea bass is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a sea bass from the subfamily Serraninae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the groupers and anthias. It is found in the western Atlantic Ocean, where it is an important species for commercial and recreational fisheries.
Read more about Black sea bass on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, not Wikipedia.
All 106 South Carolina species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Black Sea Bass in South Carolina?
13 inch minimum in South Carolina state waters.
How many Black Sea Bass can you keep per day in South Carolina?
7 per person per day.
When is Black Sea Bass season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Black Sea Bass a keeper today?
A black sea bass is a keeper today if it measures at least 13 inches, with a daily limit of 7.