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
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
White margateCleaner silver, deeper body. Tell them apart
TomtateSmaller with a single side stripe. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Silvery-gray grunt with dark scale rows forming broken oblique stripes; mouth lining red-orange like all grunts. More on the sailors choice page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Sailors choice in other states5 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for sailors choice in South Carolina?
No size limit.
How many sailors choice can you keep in South Carolina?
20/day aggregate, max 10 of any one species. Aggregate: Other snapper-grouper complex species (20-fish aggregate).
When is sailors choice season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
How current is this South Carolina sailors choice 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 a sailors choice in South Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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