South Carolina state waters, out to 3 miles
State-waters rule; no per-person limit listed.
SC DNR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
The water you are in decides. the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council writes the rule past the line.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
South Carolina state record
SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Silver disc with faint dark bars; travels in spirals. More on the Atlantic spadefish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Atlantic spadefish in other states5 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for Atlantic spadefish in South Carolina?
14 in total length. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many Atlantic spadefish can you keep in South Carolina?
30 per boat per day.
When is Atlantic spadefish season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
What is the South Carolina record Atlantic spadefish?
14 lb 2 oz, Beaufort (2005).
How current is this South Carolina Atlantic spadefish rule?
Source: SC DNR 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
In the appPoint the camera at an Atlantic spadefish in South Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the app