SlotGaugeCheck a catchSailfish regulations in South Carolina
Billfish · Saltwater · 2026 season
Sailfish size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC state & federal waters (HMS permit required) | Open year-round | 63 inch minimum | No bag limit printed; federal HMS rules apply |
Notes
- Rod & reel only. Federal HMS permit required.
- Report any landed billfish to NMFS within 24 hours. Released billfish stay in the water.
Exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording
- Season
- Open year-round (no closed season printed)
- Size
- 63-inch FL from lower jaw
- Limit
- No bag limit printed (federal HMS rules apply)
- SC state & federal waters (HMS permit required) — as printed
- “Sailfish | | | 63-inch FL from lower jaw | May only be taken by rod & reel.”
Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).
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About the sailfish
Species of fish
The Atlantic sailfish is a species of marine fish in the family Istiophoridae of the order Istiophoriformes. It is found in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, except for large areas of the central North Atlantic and the central South Atlantic, from the surface to depths of 200 m (656 ft). The Atlantic sailfish is related to the marlin.
Read more about Atlantic sailfish 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 Sailfish in South Carolina?
63 inch minimum in South Carolina state waters.
How many Sailfish can you keep per day in South Carolina?
No bag limit printed; federal HMS rules apply.
When is Sailfish season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Sailfish a keeper today?
A sailfish is a keeper today if it measures at least 63 inches, with No bag limit printed; federal HMS rules apply.