Columbia, SC – South Carolina lawmakers advanced Senate Bill S.961, proposing stricter harvest limits and new tackle requirements for redfish to address overfishing concerns in the state’s inshore waters.
Introduced by Sen. George Campsen, the bill titled “Red Drum” passed the Senate and was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs on March 24, 2026. By early April, the legislation had progressed approximately halfway through the process and was anticipated to pass.
Under existing rules, established in 2018, anglers could harvest up to two redfish per person daily, with a boat limit of six, within a 15- to 23-inch slot size. This adjustment followed a determination by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) that the population was overfished under the prior three-fish limit.
Senate Bill S.961 aims to enhance conservation by reducing the personal bag limit to one fish and the boat limit to two. The slot size would expand to 18 to 25 inches, increasing the minimum harvestable length by three inches and the maximum by two inches.
The bill also mandates the use of non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks for handheld hook-and-line fishing with 4/0 or larger hooks when targeting saltwater gamefish, including redfish. This applies to live bait techniques, such as finger mullet, shrimp on a Carolina rig, or chunk bait, to minimize post-release mortality.
These changes respond to data from the 2024 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Red Drum Benchmark Stock Assessment, which evaluated the southern stock from South Carolina to Florida. The assessment determined the population is overfished, with overfishing occurring, as the spawning potential ratio fell below the 30% threshold—short of the 40% target.
Overfishing persisted annually since 2013, accompanied by declining juvenile recruitment since the early 2000s. SCDNR’s monitoring corroborated these trends, indicating fewer young redfish entering the population.
Notably, about nine million redfish are caught and released yearly in South Carolina, with an 8% mortality rate resulting in roughly 720,000 deaths—exceeding the 300,000 intentionally harvested. Traditional J-hooks often cause gut-hooking, while circle hooks promote jaw hooking, improving survival.
Conservation organizations, including the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) South Carolina, and fishing guides support the bill, citing scientific evidence. Anglers expressed varied opinions but recognized the data’s validity.
South Carolina has iteratively updated fishing regulations based on population data: designating red drum as gamefish in 1986 to end commercial harvest; setting a 20-fish limit in 1987; introducing slots in 1990; reducing to five in 1991, two in 2001, three in 2007, and two in 2018.
The widened slot provides younger fish more growth time for reproduction, while the reduced limit alleviates harvest pressure. The circle hook rule encourages sustainable practices.
As the bill awaits House consideration, enactment is expected in coming months. SCDNR and ASMFC assessments underscore the need to stabilize the red drum stock, essential to inshore fishing.
Anglers transitioning to circle hooks should avoid hard sets, reeling steadily to allow natural engagement. Suitable options include Gamakatsu, Owner, Eagle Claw Trokar, and Mustad Demon Perfect Inline in 4/0 or 5/0 sizes.
These reforms, if approved, will reshape South Carolina fishing practices, emphasizing conservation amid declining stocks. For more information, visit MarshMind.