Columbia, SC – South Carolina lawmakers have advanced Senate Bill S.961, which proposes significant changes to redfish regulations in the state, aiming to address ongoing overfishing of the popular inshore species. The legislation, titled “Red Drum,” passed the Senate and moved to the House of Representatives, where it was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs on March 24, 2026.
Under current rules, established in 2018, anglers may harvest up to two redfish per person per day, with a boat limit of six, within a slot size of 15 to 23 inches. These measures followed a reduction from a previous three-fish limit after the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) determined the population was being overfished. Bill S.961 seeks to further protect the stock by reducing the personal daily bag limit to one fish and the boat limit to two. The protected slot size would expand to 18 to 25 inches, increasing the minimum harvestable length by three inches and the maximum by two inches.
In addition to harvest limits, the bill introduces a new requirement for tackle use. Anglers employing handheld hook and line with hooks sized 4/0 or larger must use non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks when targeting saltwater gamefish, including redfish. This mandate applies broadly to live bait fishing scenarios, such as using finger mullet, shrimp on a Carolina rig, or chunk bait. The change targets reducing post-release mortality, a critical factor in redfish conservation.
The push for these reforms stems from the 2024 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Red Drum Benchmark Stock Assessment, which covers the southern stock from South Carolina to Florida. The assessment confirmed that the population is overfished and overfishing is occurring, with the spawning potential ratio falling below the 30% threshold—well short of the 40% target. Overfishing has persisted annually since 2013, while juvenile recruitment has declined since the early 2000s. SCDNR’s monitoring data corroborates these trends, indicating fewer young redfish entering the population.
A stark statistic highlights the issue: approximately nine million redfish are caught and released annually in South Carolina, with an estimated 8% mortality rate resulting in about 720,000 deaths—more than double the 300,000 fish harvested intentionally. Gut-hooking, common with traditional J-hooks, contributes significantly to this loss. Circle hooks, by contrast, typically hook fish in the corner of the mouth, improving survival rates upon release.
The bill’s progress reflects a history of responsive management for redfish in South Carolina. The species was designated a gamefish in 1986, halting commercial harvest. Subsequent adjustments included a 20-fish limit in 1987, slot limits in 1990, reductions to five in 1991 and two in 2001, a temporary increase to three in 2007, and the return to two in 2018—all driven by population data.
Introduced by Sen. George Campsen, S.961 passed the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee unanimously amid informed discussions. Support comes from conservation groups like Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) South Carolina and the fishing guide community. Anglers have expressed mixed feelings, acknowledging the scientific justification despite the stricter limits.
The expanded slot allows younger fish additional growth time, enhancing reproductive capacity, while permitting slightly larger keepers under the reduced bag limit. For anglers transitioning to circle hooks, the technique differs: no hard hook set is needed; steady reeling allows the hook to find the mouth corner naturally. Recommended brands include Gamakatsu, Owner, Eagle Claw Trokar, and Mustad Demon Perfect Inline, in sizes 4/0 or 5/0 for most inshore applications.
As the bill awaits House action, it is expected to progress toward enactment in the coming months. SCDNR and regional assessments underscore the urgency, emphasizing that these measures could stabilize the redfish population foundational to South Carolina’s inshore fishery. For more information, visit MarshMind.