UTERAtlantic cutlassfish fishing in South Carolina Coast
In South Carolina Coast, Atlantic cutlassfish peak July–September and are around June–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. August: Ribbonfish in Charleston Harbor and the jetties.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Atlantic cutlassfish in South Carolina Coast, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneArriving
- JulyPeak
- AugustPeakRibbonfish in Charleston Harbor and the jetties.
- SeptemberPeakSpawning bulls at the jetties; tarpon on the bait. Jetties and sound mouths for bulls; first fall trout in the creeks.
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish Atlantic cutlassfish 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 Atlantic cutlassfish
- Glass minnows (bay anchovies)Thrown by the handful as chum for Spanish, trout and ladyfish, or several on a tiny hook.
- 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.
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 68–88°F water, best at 74–84°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch Atlantic cutlassfish in South Carolina Coast?
Peak season is July–September. Atlantic cutlassfish are in South Carolina Coast June–October. August: Ribbonfish in Charleston Harbor and the jetties.
Where do Atlantic cutlassfish hold in South Carolina Coast?
Look on fishing pier, pass / inlet, channel edge, bridge — around Hilton Head, Beaufort, Edisto, Charleston, Mount Pleasant, McClellanville.
What is the best bait for Atlantic cutlassfish in South Carolina Coast?
Live bait: glass minnows (bay anchovies), live shrimp. Glass minnows (bay anchovies): Thrown by the handful as chum for Spanish, trout and ladyfish, or several on a tiny hook. Tackle: leader 20–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–4/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for Atlantic cutlassfish 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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