South Carolina state waters, out to 3 miles
No closed seasons in SC state waters; federal waters close Apr 1–30.
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
Often mistaken for
Almaco jackDeeper body, tall sickle-shaped dorsal lobe. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
South Carolina state record
SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Dark band through the eye to the first dorsal; amber side stripe; 11 or fewer dorsal rays than almaco's tall sickle. More on the greater amberjack page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Greater amberjack in other states10 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for greater amberjack in South Carolina?
28 in fork length. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many greater amberjack can you keep in South Carolina?
1/day.
When is greater amberjack season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
What is the South Carolina record greater amberjack?
129 lb, Murrells Inlet (2024).
How current is this South Carolina greater amberjack 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.
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