South Carolina state waters, out to 3 miles
Rod-and-reel or gig only; gigging closed Dec 1–Feb 28.
SC DNR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
WeakfishSpots form diagonal rows, not scattered. 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
Round black spots scattered on back, dorsal and tail; two canine teeth; soft mouth. More on the spotted seatrout page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Spotted seatrout in other states12 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for spotted seatrout in South Carolina?
14 in total length. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many spotted seatrout can you keep in South Carolina?
10/day.
When is spotted seatrout season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
What is the South Carolina record spotted seatrout?
11 lb 13 oz, Murrells Inlet (1976).
How current is this South Carolina spotted seatrout 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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