South Carolina state waters, out to 3 miles
Rod and reel only.
SC DNR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
South Carolina state record
SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Chrome-plated giant scales, upturned bucket mouth, last dorsal ray trails into a filament. More on the tarpon page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Tarpon in other states8 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for tarpon in South Carolina?
77 in fork length. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many tarpon can you keep in South Carolina?
1/day.
When is tarpon season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
What is the South Carolina record tarpon?
154 lb 10 oz, Hilton Head (1987).
How current is this South Carolina tarpon 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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