South Carolina state waters, out to 3 miles
HMS Angling permit required. Retention limits are adjusted in-season by NOAA — verify the current limit before keeping a fish.
SC defers to NOAA HMS rules; limits change in-season, and landings must be reported within 24 hours.
NOAA HMS 2026 · SC DNR 2026 · checked · likely · the official rulebook is the final word
South Carolina state record
SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Massive girth, short pectoral fins that don't reach the second dorsal. More on the Atlantic bluefin tuna page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Atlantic bluefin tuna in other states19 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for Atlantic bluefin tuna in South Carolina?
27" curved FL min; keepable slot 27–<73". Measured as curved fork length: snout to the fork of the tail, along the curve of the body.
How many Atlantic bluefin tuna can you keep in South Carolina?
Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026.
When is Atlantic bluefin tuna season in South Carolina?
Open under in-season limits.
What is the South Carolina record Atlantic bluefin tuna?
396 lb 14 oz, Hilton Head Is. (2006).
How current is this South Carolina Atlantic bluefin tuna rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 2026 · 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 bluefin tuna in South Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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