UTERFlounder fishing in South Carolina Coast
In South Carolina Coast, flounder peak May–June and August–October and are around March–November, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: Creek mouths and nearshore artificial reefs; mud minnows.
Inlets and the Charleston jetties on the outgoing tide; the run out to sea.
Flounder in South Carolina Coast, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchArriving
- AprilArrivingFlounder move into the creeks and the jetty rocks.
- MayPeakCobia spawn in Port Royal Sound. Spawning cobia around the Broad River — rules tighten for this run, check SCDNR. Gaffers offshore.
- JunePeak
- JulyAround
- AugustPeakCreek mouths and nearshore artificial reefs; mud minnows.
- SeptemberPeakSpawning bulls at the jetties; tarpon on the bait. Jetties and sound mouths for bulls; first fall trout in the creeks.
- OctoberPeakInlets and the Charleston jetties on the outgoing tide; the run out to sea.
- NovemberLeavingThe last fish leave the inlets.
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish flounder 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 flounder
- Mud minnows (killifish)Lip-hooked on a jig head or a 1/0 hook dragged along the bottom — the flounder bait.
- Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- PinfishHooked through the back ahead of the dorsal on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook; the small ones free-lined, the big ones on a fish-finder rig.
- Leader20–30 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook1/0–2/0
- Jig head1/4–1/2 oz
- Braid10–20 lb
Feeds in 54–82°F water, best at 60–75°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch flounder in South Carolina Coast?
Peak season is May–June and August–October. Flounder are in South Carolina Coast March–November. August: Creek mouths and nearshore artificial reefs; mud minnows.
Where do flounder hold in South Carolina Coast?
Look on channel edge, dock / pilings, pass / inlet, beach / surf — around Hilton Head, Beaufort, Edisto, Charleston, Mount Pleasant, McClellanville.
What is the best bait for flounder in South Carolina Coast?
Live bait: mud minnows (killifish), finger mullet, live shrimp, pinfish. Mud minnows (killifish): Lip-hooked on a jig head or a 1/0 hook dragged along the bottom — the flounder bait. Tackle: leader 20–30 lb fluorocarbon, hook 1/0–2/0, jig head 1/4–1/2 oz, braid 10–20 lb.
What are the rules for flounder 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.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
Fish Scouter scores flounder for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
Start 14 free daysMore
All about flounder · The Lowcountry, the whole year