UTERRedbreast sunfish fishing in South Carolina freshwater
In South Carolina freshwater, redbreast sunfish peak April–August and are around year-round, spawning in May–June, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. May: Edisto and Lynches River redbreast.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Redbreast sunfish in South Carolina freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchArriving
- AprilPeak
- MaySpawningEdisto and Lynches River redbreast.
- JuneSpawning
- JulyPeak
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish redbreast sunfish near Santee Cooper, Lake Murray, Lake Hartwell
Santee Cooper's blues, stripers and bass, Murray's stripers, Hartwell and the upstate highland lakes, blackwater rivers for redbreast, and Chattooga trout.
What to use for redbreast sunfish
- Grass shrimpTwo or three on a #6 hook under a small cork — the bream, crappie, sheepshead and mangrove snapper bait nobody sells.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 48–88°F water, best at 65–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch redbreast sunfish in South Carolina freshwater?
Peak season is April–August, with fish spawning in May–June (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Redbreast sunfish are here year-round. May: Edisto and Lynches River redbreast.
Where do redbreast sunfish hold in South Carolina freshwater?
Look on river, creek / stream — around Santee Cooper, Lake Murray, Lake Hartwell, Lake Keowee, Edisto River, Chattooga River.
What is the best bait for redbreast sunfish in South Carolina freshwater?
Live bait: grass shrimp. Grass shrimp: Two or three on a #6 hook under a small cork — the bream, crappie, sheepshead and mangrove snapper bait nobody sells. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for redbreast sunfish in South Carolina freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and change — read the current rule at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/regulations.html before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/licensing.html.
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All about redbreast sunfish · South Carolina fresh water, the whole year