South Carolina state waters, out to 3 miles
SC DNR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Past 3 miles: federal waters Different rule
Atlantic migratory group, Coastal Migratory Pelagics FMP.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
Often mistaken for
Spanish mackerelLateral line slopes gently, keeps its spots. Tell them apart
False albacoreStockier, worm-track markings, no dipping lateral line. Tell them apartNot listed by South Carolina: the default applies (No size limit, no bag limit).
Keep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
South Carolina state record
SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Lateral line takes a sharp dip below the second dorsal; juveniles can carry spots — check the line, not the spots. More on the king mackerel page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
King mackerel in other states12 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for king mackerel in South Carolina?
24 in fork length. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many king mackerel can you keep in South Carolina?
3/day.
When is king mackerel season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
What is the South Carolina record king mackerel?
62 lb, Charleston (1976).
How current is this South Carolina king mackerel 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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