UTERBlue marlin fishing in South Carolina Coast
In South Carolina Coast, blue marlin peak June–August and are around June–September, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. July: Blues off the edge.
Not in South Carolina Coast this month.
Blue marlin in South Carolina Coast, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JunePeak
- JulyPeakBlues off the edge.
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberLeaving
- OctoberNot here
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish blue marlin near Hilton Head, Beaufort, Edisto
Port Royal and St. Helena sounds, the ACE Basin, Charleston Harbor and its jetties, Bulls Bay, Winyah Bay and the Grand Strand beaches — spartina marsh and oyster rakes behind barrier islands, with live-bottom ledges, artificial reefs and the Georgetown Hole and Gulf Stream offshore.
What to use for blue marlin
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Goggle-eyesBridled through the eye sockets for sailfish and kingfish, kite-fished or slow-trolled.
- Opelu (mackerel scad)Bridled live and slow-trolled or drifted down for ahi, ono and marlin; cut for bottom fishing.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 74–88°F water, best at 78–84°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch blue marlin in South Carolina Coast?
Peak season is June–August. Blue marlin are in South Carolina Coast June–September. July: Blues off the edge.
Where do blue marlin hold in South Carolina Coast?
Look on ledge / hard bottom — around Hilton Head, Beaufort, Edisto, Charleston, Mount Pleasant, McClellanville.
What is the best bait for blue marlin in South Carolina Coast?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), goggle-eyes, opelu (mackerel scad). Blue runners (hardtails): Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for blue marlin in South Carolina Coast?
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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