CarolinaSportsman.com
July 2025 | Carolina Sportsman
CarolinaSPORTSMAN.com
• SCORCHING
STRIPERS
STRIPERS
•
• BIG TROUBLE
IG TROUBLE
WINS
WINS
BIG ROCK
BIG ROCK
JULY 2025
• HOT
• HOT
WEATHER
WEATHER
HOGS
HOGS
SLABS
MONSTER
RIVER
SLABS
SLABS
SLAB
SUMMERTIME
SUMMERTIME
RIVER
RIVER
CATS
CATS
Carolina Sportsman | July 2025
CarolinaSportsman.com
July 2025 | Carolina Sportsman
Volume 32 | Number 7 | July 2025
CONTENTS
FEATURES:
10 RIVER CATS
Tyler Barnes shares his tips on hot-weather catfi sh
in moving water.
▶By Brian Cope
30 SUMMERTIME SLABS
AT JORDAN LAKE
Hot weather means hot fi shing for crappie.
▶By Brian Cope
44 SCORCHING STRIPERS
AT LAKE WATEREE
This lake’s summertime bite is H-O-T.
▶By Brian Cope
64 HOT WEATHER HOG HUNTING
Creosote poles attract summertime hogs.
▶By Brian Cope
COVER STORY
6 BIG TROUBLE
WINS BIG ROCK
7 WAVE PAVER WINS
RELEASE DIVISION
8 WANT TO BE A
GAME WARDEN?
OUTDOOR UPDATE:
20 Current, Cut Bait and Catfi sh
22 Hot for Trout
24 Surf Sharking in the Dark
26 Mixing it up at OBX
42 Hit the Rivers for Panfi sh
52 Bassin’ Hotspots
FISHING HOTSPOTS:
64
HOT WEATHER
HOG
HUNTING
Carolina Sportsman | July 2025
DEPARTMENTS:
17 SC Fishing Regulations
25 Sportsman Showcase
53 NC Fishing Regulations
76 Hunting/Fishing Scrapbook
82 Sportsman Astro Tables
BASSIN’
HOTSPOTS
52
ON THE COVER:
Tyler Barnes shows off his
biggest fl athead catfi sh,
which is the NC State Record
for the species.
38 LAKE AND RIVER
By Brian Cope
40 HOOKED ON SANTEE
By Brian Cope
58 COASTAL CAST
By Brian Cope
60 PADDLE TALES
By Brian Cope
62 HOOK, LINE AND SUPPER
By Brian Cope
70 HUNTING WITH AIR
By Hunter Cook
72 SPORTSMAN’S NOTEBOOK
By Brian Cope
74 OFF THE GRID
By Hunter Cook
COLUMNS:
EDITORIAL information and guidelines can be
obtained by emailing Brian Cope at brianc@
carolinasportsman.com.
14236 Highway 90
P.O. Box 1199, Boutte, LA 70039-1199
800.538.4355
Volume 32 | No 7
www.CarolinaSPORTSMAN.com
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES:
sales@lasmag.com
985.758.7217
PUBLISHER
Lisa Lottinger Cuccia
EDITORIAL & SALES DIRECTOR
Jonathan Menard
EDITOR
Brian Cope, brianc@carolinasportsman.com
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER
Desiree P. Lewis
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Alissa Zeringue
SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER
Theresa Peltier
CONTROLLER
Juanita Guidry
ADVERTISING SALES
Bradley Hulin
336-688-0273, bradleyh@carolinasportsman.com
Asa Faulkner, Preston Faulkner, Peter Church,
and Mark Hilzim (National Sales)
Carolina Sportsman is published monthly by
CAROLINA PUBLISHING INC.
FOUNDER
Allen J. Lottinger
FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS
OR SUBSCRIPTION ISSUES,
CALL 1.800.538.4355
Monday thru Thursday, 8 am to 4:30 pm
or email subscription@lasmag.com
FISHING
IN THE
HEAT OF
SUMMER
38
CarolinaSportsman.com
July 2025 | Carolina Sportsman
Carolina Sportsman| July 2025
n the final day of
the 67th Annual Big
Rock Blue Marlin
Tournament in Morehead City,
NC, BIG TROUBLE brought a
517-pound blue marlin to the
scales and earned $2,285,125.
This purse included the
Fabulous Fisherman’s Prize of
$807,500 for being the first
boat of the event to weigh a
blue marlin that exceeded 500
pounds.
Capt. Chris Daniels was at the
helm, and Brandon Creech
was on the rod when the big
fish hit, and he landed the
beast after a 30-minute fight.
“I’ve been fishing this tourna-
ment for 15 years, and this is the first check I’ve ever
pulled,” said Creech. “It all happened so fast. The fight
was less than 30 minutes. I thank God for it, the owner,
Capt. Chris Daniels, and our amazing crew.”
BANKWALKER took second place with a 449.7-pound
blue marlin. Lizzie Montague reeled in the big fish,
which was worth $603,750.
“It was the coolest experience of my life. I’ll never take
it for granted,” said Montague.
Her dad, Bryant Montague captains BANKWALKER. He
said she was the right one to be on the rod.
“If there’s a million-dollar fish on the line, Lizzie’s in
the chair,” he said. “She’s smooth, steady and never gets
rattled. I’d put her up against any man out there.”
No other boats weighed an eligible blue marlin that
met the minimum weight to get on the leaderboard.
SOUTHERN GRACE did bring a blue marlin to the
scales which met the minimum weight requirement,
but their fish was disqualified based on the tourna-
ment’s mutilation rule, a ruling the team gracefully
accepted.
“We would like to commend the crew of SOUTHERN
GRACE for their exceptional catch and display of
sportsmanship,” said Big Rock officials.
RECORD RELEASES
At least two historic firsts took place in this year’s Big
Rock. For the first time ever, the entire fleet of 272 boats
took a lay day on the same day, with all fishing the next
morning.
Another first was the number of billfish released, a
record of 420 total billfish, which included 238 blue
marlin, 109 sailfish and 73 white marlin.
A total of$6,325,875 was paid out during this year’s
tournament.
UPDATE
OUTDOOR
Brian Cope
with
BIG TROUBLE WINS BIG ROCK
517-POUND BLUE MARLIN EARNS $2+ MILLION
Brian Cope of Borden
S.C., is the editor of
Carolina Sportsman
Magazine and
CarolinaSportsman.
com. You can reach
him at brianc@
carolinasportsman.com.
BIG TROUBLE
weighed in the
biggest blue marlin
of the tournament
on the final day.
BANKWALKER took
second place with
their 449.7-pound
blue marlin.
Photos courtesy
of Big Rock Blue
Marlin Tournament.
CarolinaSportsman.com
July 2025 |Carolina Sportsman
If you missed the activities that took place during the 2025
Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, you’ve still got a chance to
see some of the excitement this month.
The Big Rock Kids Billfish Tournament is scheduled for July
10-12.
The tournament weigh-ins will take place at the Big Rock
Headquarters Weigh Station at 710 Evans Street. Daily game-
fish weigh-ins will begin at 4 p.m.
To find out more information about the Big Rock Kids Bill-
fish Tournament, visit https://thebigrock.com. ■
BIG ROCK KIDS EVENT
ecording a total of four Billfish Grand Slams,
including two in one day, WAVE PAVER won
the Release Division of the 67th Annual Big
Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.
The team’s total catch for the event included four
blue marlin, four white marlin and 10 sailfish. They
took home $206,762.50 in prize money
JR Davis, owner of WAVE PAVER, said they’d
caught a Grand Slam outside the U.S, but this was
their first time doing it in U.S. waters.
“This is our favorite stop on the tournament cir-
cuit,” he said. “To fish in Beaufort and Morehead City
and be embraced by this community means a lot.
We’ve caught a Grand Slam outside the U.S., but
this was our first domestic one. To end up with four
was just incredible.”
MAGIC MOMENT took second place in the divi-
sion, winning $147,685.50 after releasing six blue
marlin and one white marlin.
Rounding out the Top 3 was BUILDER’S CHOICE,
earning $118,150 for their five blue marlin, one
white marlin and three sailfish. ■
WAVE PAVER WINS
BIG ROCK RELEASE
DIVISION
WAVE PAVER
shows a daily set
of release flags.
Tournament officials also offered special recognition to
the teams of WASTE KNOT and REEL LINEMAN for volun-
tarily pulling their lines with time still on the clock and
money still on the table in order to assist a boat taking
on water.
COST PLUS, a non-tournament boat, was also recog-
nized for rescuing five tournament participants from a
boat that caught fire and burned.
To see all the results of the 67th Annual Big Rock Blue
Marlin Tournament, visit https://thebigrock.com. ■
Carolina Sportsman| July 2025
UPDATE
OUTDOOR
he South Carolina Dept. of Natural
Resources wants to know if you
have what it takes to be a game
warden. They are in the process of hiring a
new class of conservation officers and are
accepting applications through July 11.
Some of the duties game wardens pro-
vide include the following:
• Conduct regular patrols in a vehicle
or boat to detect violations and pro-
tect the state’s natural resources.
• Ensure patrols are conducted at
appropriate times, depending on
the season.
• Investigate, secure and compile all
evidence relating to violations.
• Prepare cases for court, present all
evidence and prosecute cases.
• Remain abreast of any changes in
laws, regulations and procedures
relating to the proper prosecution
of cases.
• Investigate hunting, boating, and
drowning incidents and file reports
concerning these to headquarters.
• Prepare monthly, weekly and daily
reports as necessary.
• Conduct Search and Rescue
missions on land or water, either
by assisting and cooperating with
other Law Enforcement Agencies or
as a separate and distinct function.
Click this link if you’d like to apply. ■
WANT TO BE A
GAME WARDEN?
SCDNR Photo
The SCDNR is accepting applications
for their next class of Game Wardens
through July 11.
CarolinaSportsman.com
July 2025 |Carolina Sportsman
PECHMANN CENTER
HOLDING 13 CLASSES
IN JULY
he John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center has 13
workshops scheduled for this month. The classes are as
follows:
• July 1: Entomology for Anglers
• July 2: Topwater Bass Basics
• July 15: Bass Jig Basics
• July 16: DIY Fishing: Soft Plastics Lure Making Workshop
• July 17: Basic Fly-casting Workshop
• July 19: Beginning Fly-tying Workshop
• July 19: Volunteer Orientation/Basic Fishing Instructor
Workshop
• July 21: Boaters Safety
• July 23: Catfishing Basics
• July 24: Intermediate Fly-tying Workshop
• July 25: Soft Plastics Rigging and Presentation
• July 26: Family Fishing Workshop
• July 30: Introductory Fishing for Adults
These classes will all be held at the John E. Pechmann Fishing
Education Center at 7489 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC. All
events require registration at the agency’s website.
For more information about these courses, click this link. ■
NCWRC Photo
Thirteen workshops are scheduled
for July at the John E. Pechmann
Fishing Center.
SPRING SPECIALS
SPRING SPECIALS
FOR 2025 SEASON
FOR 2025 SEASON
• 8:30 am – 1/2 Day Fishing Trips
• 11:00 am – 1/2 Day (Mid-Day)
Fishing Trips
• 10:30 am – Dolphin Cruise
• Look for the ‘Specials’
on your preferred date!
1525 13th Ave N. North Myrtle Beach, SC
843-626-9500 • 910-575-5978
SuperVoyagerDeepSeaFishing.com
BOOK
ONLINE!
Sport Fishing Charters
t Fi hi
Ch
t Fi hi
Ch
t Fi hi
Ch
VOYAGER
VOYAGER
Deep Sea Fishing &
Deep Sea Fishing &
12 & 24 HOUR
GULF STREAM
FISHING
TRIPS!
We Offer 3:30 pm
We Offer 3:30 pm
Sunset Fishing!
Sunset Fishing!
Carolina Sportsman| July 2025
10
Tyler Barnes offers guided trips on the
Neuse, Tar, Roanoke and Cape Fear rivers.
CarolinaSportsman.com
July 2025 |Carolina Sportsman
11
yler Barnes of Pikeville, NC is
no stranger to river fishing.
Or to hot-weather fishing. He
caught North Carolina’s state
record flathead in the Neuse
River in July of 2020. And it wasn’t just a
fluke. Trying to trick river catfish into bit-
ing is his passion.
“I love all kinds of fishing, but there’s
something extra special to me about chas-
ing catfish on rivers. Something about that
moving water, and about how rivers are
constantly changing is really appealing to
me,” said Barnes (www.4reelfishing.com)
RIVER
CATS
Tyler Barnes
shares his tips
on hot-weather
catfi sh in
moving water.
▶By Brian Cope
Carolina Sportsman| July 2025
12
During the summer, especially when rain has been scarce and the
water is lower than normal, catfish have fewer places to hide out. But
one thing that stays constant for Barnes is current seams.
Current seams are basically where a faster current meets a slower cur-
rent or even slack water. Baitfish and catfish move in and out of those
seams looking for food, and looking for places to lay low.
“Don’t get me wrong; catfish don’t mind current. So sometimes, they’ll
be right in it. But usually, if they can find some calmer water to get in,
that’s where they’d rather be. So I target those calmer waters a lot,” he
said.
One of the easiest places to find that calmer water is on the inside of
a bend in the river. The current naturally pushes hard to the outside
of the bend, especially if it’s a fairly large bend. So the inside of those
bends have a much slower current.
“When you find a sharp bend in the river, the backside, or inside, of
the bend is going to be calmer water. If you’ll take a look, you can easily
see the water there is considerably calmer than the outside bend,” said
Barnes.
ANCHOR DOWN
Once he finds a spot he wants to fish, Barnes drops his anchor, lets the
boat settle, then casts out multiple rods.
“I fish with eight rods a lot. It just allows me to cover a lot of water,
which means more chances to catch fish,” he said.
Barnes uses baitcasting reels mounted on Hellcat and Big Cat Fever
rods from Catch The Fever, a disc sinker, and a 10/0 circle hook. He
uses a variety of baits, and he prefers bait that comes from the water
he’s fishing.
During hot weather, he said eels are premium baits. He cuts them into
chunks, and puts a chunk on each hook, running the point of the hook
RIVER CATS
That’s especially true in the
summer, when conditions can
change from low-water
drought, to out-of-the-banks
fl ooding, depending on local
weather and conditions.
CarolinaSportsman.com
July 2025 |Carolina Sportsman
13
Barnes is the North Carolina state
record holder for flathead catfish.
Carolina Sportsman| July 2025
14
into the inside of the eel part, piercing it to the out-
side. He just runs it through that one time, then it’s
ready for the cast.
Shad are also great baits. He likes freshly-caught
shad the best, but he said frozen shad, especially
ones vacuum-sealed when freshly caught, are almost
just as good.
Barnes believes in patience, but he doesn’t believe
in wasting time.
“I give a spot 30 to 45 minutes. If I’m not happy
with the results by then, I reel everything in, pull up
anchor, and find a different spot,” he said.
That doesn’t mean that time must be completely
unproductive for him to move on. If he catches one
or two small fish in that amount of time, he’s most
likely going to head to another spot.
Sometimes, his next spot is immediately on fire.
Other times, it’s a grind. That’s why he said you need
to be prepared to fish multiple areas. His experience
has shown him that more often than not, if he keeps
looking, he’ll find a productive spot. That’s why he
doesn’t tie himself to any one area for any longer.
While targeting those slacker waters, he doesn’t
ignore the current seam. He’ll cast at least one rod
into the seam itself, or even into the faster-running
water.
And in certain spots on rivers, the current pours
fast through the middle, with slacker water on
both sides. When Barnes finds these situations, he
likes to anchor down and fan cast across the entire
spectrum, with some rods in the slack water to his
left, some in the slack water to his right, and some
straight down the middle in the fast current.
FIND DEEP HOLES
Some rivers aren’t very deep, but Barnes has found
rivers like the Cape Fear have some holes up to at
least 25 feet deep. When he’s in a river (or section of
a river) that he’s not very familiar with, or when he’s
in a river that doesn’t have a very strong current, he
Eel chunks make good bait for summertime
river fishing, and one eel can be cut into
numerous pieces.
CarolinaSportsman.com
July 2025 | Carolina Sportsman
15
turns to his electronics to map it out. When he finds a deep hole, he’ll use three-
way rigs, which use a swivel that has three eyes. The main line coming from the
reel goes to one eye, then a long leader goes to the disc sinker. The other line,
which is shorter, goes to the 10/0 circle hook.
“This keeps the bait off the bottom,” he said.
Barnes anchors in a position that allows him to cast baits all around the deep
hole. He’ll make a couple of casts in the shallower areas of the hole, then he’ll
cast most of his other baits into the deeper areas.
“And I’ll often cast one or two outside of the hole, to the other side of the river
where it’s shallow,” he said. “This way, you’re covering everything that a catfish
could want.”
Another approach Barnes uses is to find a fallen tree that has at least part of
it directly on the river’s bottom. When he finds that scenario, he’ll anchor close
enough to the tree that he can cast several baits all around it.
When the summertime heat really ramps up, Barnes switches to fishing at
night. He finds the fish, especially bigger catfish, to be much more active during
the cooler hours of darkness.
“Once the summer heat really sets in, the daytime catfishing can slow to a
crawl. But the night fishing can be excellent,” he said.
Barnes offers guided trophy catfishing trips on the Neuse, Tar, Roanoke and
Cape Fear rivers. Click here to book your trip. ■
Brian Cope of Murrells
Inlet, SC is the editor
of Carolina Sportsman
Magazine and
CarolinaSportsman.com.
Reach him at brianc@
carolinasportsman.com
RIVER CATS
Cross, South Carolina 29436
(843) 753-2231
BLACK’S
CAMP
www.blackscamp.com
Deep Water Access
to Diversion Canal
and Both Lakes...
Boat Launch is
Protected From
Wind and Current
PLEASE
CALL US FOR
CAMPGROUND
AND LODGING
RESTAURANT OPEN DAILY!
BEST
FISHING
CAMP
IN THE
SANTEE
COOPER
LAKES!
The Line Minder™
HOOKED OFF-LINE®
HOLDS YOUR HOOK!
HOLDS YOUR LINE!
TRIMS YOUR LINE!
GETS YOU FISHING FASTER!
Video installation guide
and downloadable
instructions at
PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA!
HOOKEDOFF-LINE.COM
Our Packaging
Functions as Lure Wrap!
Carolina Sportsman| July 2025
16
RIVER CATS
rift socks are commonly used by anglers
that are drifting, but Barnes uses one even
when he’s either anchored or is using the
Spot Lock feature on his trolling motor.
After dropping anchor or deploying his
trolling motor on the front of his boat,
he’ll toss a drift sock out the back of the boat. It
opens as the current loads it up with water.
“That drift sock helps keep your boat lined
up straight, and prevents the rear of the boat
from swaying left to right due to the cur-
rent or wind,” he said.
While the Spot Lock feature on
his trolling motor keeps him
relatively still, he said the current
and wind can cause it to work a little
harder and cause the boat to move some.
“When the current or wind is really strong, it can
knock you slightly off course. And that will cause your
trolling motor to constantly adjust right or left. With
the drift sock out, it creates enough tension that the
trolling motor can keep you straight a little bit better
and without working so hard,” he said. ■
Sock it to ‘em
BAIT • TACKLE • MARINE • APPAREL • FOOTWEAR
www.thereeloutdoors.com
$$ CASH $$ PAID
FOR OLD FISHING LURES
Rick Hutton
COLLECTOR
CELL 704-695-4917
Thanks for your call
Barnes shows off the big mouth of a nice river
flathead caught during a summer nighttime trip.
CarolinaSportsman.com
July 2025 |Carolina Sportsman
17
2024-25 SOUTH CAROLINA
FISHING REGULATIONS
Not an official document.
Refer to SCNDR’s official fishing
regulations pamphlet or www.dnr.sc.gov.
SALTWATER
American Shad
See Freshwater Nongame
Fishing Regulations.
10 shad per person per day except in
Santee River and Rediversion Canal
(20 per person per day)
See Shad & Herring Fishing Regulations
for licensing, permitting, and gear
requirements.
Herring
See Freshwater Nongame
Fishing Regulations.
1 US bushel of herring per person per day
See Shad & Herring Fishing
Regulations for licensing, permitting,
and gear requirements.
Black Drum
5 per person per day
14-inch to 27-inch TL
Bluefi sh
3 per person per day
(5 per person in the for-hire fi shery)
Flounders
(Southern, Summer & Gulf)
5 per person per day not to exceed
10 per boat per day
16-inch TL
Bag limit applies to hook and line or gig.
Red Drum
May not be harvested by gig
Dec. 1 - Feb. 28
2 per person per day (state waters)
not to exceed 6 per boat per day
Possession prohibited in federal waters.
15-inch to
23-inch TL
May only be taken by rod & reel and gig.
May not be harvested from
federal waters.
Saltwater Catfi shes
(Hardhead & gaff topsail
catfi shes)
Possession prohibited
Possession prohibited
If caught must be released immediately.
Sheepshead
10 per person per day not to exceed
30 per boat per day
14-inch TL
Spotted Seatrout
May not be harvested by gig
Dec. 1 - Feb. 28
10 per person per day
14-inch TL
May only be taken by rod & reel and gig.
Striped Bass
Possession prohibited: June 16 - Sept.
30 except in lower reach of the
Savannah River (2 per person per day
year round; see Freshwater Fish Size &
Possession Limits for details.)
Possession prohibited:
June 16 - Sept. 30;
3 fi sh per person per day:
Oct. 1 - June 15 except in lower reach of
the Savannah River (2 per person per day
year round; see Freshwater Fish Size
& Possession Limits for details.)
26 inch TL except in lower reach
of the Savannah River (27 inch TL;
see Freshwater Fish Size & Possession
Limits for details.)
May only be taken by rod & reel.
Hybrid Bass,
White Bass,
& Combinations
In lower reach of the Savannah River:
2 per person per day
All other saltwaters: no bag limit
In the lower reach of the Savannah
River: 27 inch TL
All other saltwaters: no size limit
Tarpon
1 per person per day
77-inch FL
May only be taken by rod & reel.
Tripletail
3 per person per day not to exceed
9 per boat per day
18-inch TL
Weakfi sh
1 per person per day
12-inch TL
Atlantic Croaker,
Spot, Whiting
50 per person per day aggregate
bag limit
Bag limit applies to hook and line only.
Florida Pompano
No associated regulations
Cobia
May 1 to May 31 in state waters south
of 032° 31.0’ N latitude (Jeremy Inlet,
Edisto Island)
1 per person per day and no more than 3
per boat per day in State waters south of
032° 31.0’ N
1 per person per day and no more than 6
per boat per day federal waters and state
waters north of 032° 31.0’ N
36-inch FL
In state waters may only be taken
by rod & reel and gig.
Dolphin
10 per person per day not to exceed 54 per
boat per day.
Headboats have no boat limit
20-inch FL
For-hire vessels must have a Dolphin
Wahoo permit to fi sh for this species
in federal waters.
Sale of recreational catch is prohibited.
King Mackerel
3 per person per day
24-inch FL
For-hire vessels must have a Coastal
Migratory Pelagics permit to fi sh
for this species in federal waters.
Spanish Mackerel
15 per person per day
12-inch FL
For-hire vessels must have a Coastal
Migratory Pelagics permit to fi sh
for this species in federal waters.
Wahoo
2 per person per day
For-hire vessels must have a Dolphin
Wahoo permit to fi sh for this species
in federal waters.
Sale of recreational catch is prohibited.
OFFSHORE FINFISH
Species
Closed Season
Bag Limit
Size Limit
Restrictions
INSHORE FINFISH
Species
Closed Season
Bag Limit
Size Limit
Restrictions
Carolina Sportsman| July 2025
18
2024-25 SOUTH CAROLINA
FISHING REGULATIONS
Statewide
American Eel
9 inches min
25
Statewide
Blue Catfi sh
Only 2 fish larger than 32 inches per person may be
taken
25
Statewide
Bream (includes bluegill, fl ier, war-
mouth, pumpkinseed, green sunfi sh,
redear (shellcracker) and spotted
sunfi sh)
Any length
30
Statewide
Redbreast Sunfi sh
Any length
15
Statewide
Crappie
8 inches min
20
Statewide
Walleye & Sauger
Any length
No more than 8 combined total of
walleye or sauger
Statewide
Chain Pickerel
Any length
30
Statewide
Redfi n Pickerel
Any length
30
Statewide
Yellow Perch
Any length
30
NONGAME FISH SIZE & POSSESSION LIMITS
Water Body
Fish Species
Size Limit
Limit (per person per day)
GAME FISH SIZE & POSSESSION LIMITS: BREAM, REDBREAST SUNFISH, CRAPPIE, YELLOW PERCH, PICKEREL, WALLEYE & SAUGER
• A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day. This total shall not exceed more than the limits or exceptions listed below. Any game fish or species with a size limit listed must be landed with
head and tail fin intact. All freshwater fish species in the state of South Carolina are measured using total length. Special limits and regulations apply to SCDNR managed lakes.
• Check with state parks, city reservoirs or county parks for special limits and regulations that apply to those areas.
Water Body
Fish Species
Size Limit
Limit (per person per day)
GAME FISH SIZE & POSSESSION LIMITS: BLACK BASS: LARGEMOUTH, SMALLMOUTH, REDEYE, SPOTTED BASS & GENUS MICROPTERUS
• A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day. This total shall not exceed more than the limits or exceptions listed below. Any game fish or species with a size limit listed must be landed with
head and tail fin intact. All freshwater fish species in the state of South Carolina are measured using total length. Special limits and regulations apply to SCDNR managed lakes.
• Check with state parks, city reservoirs or county parks for special limits and regulations that apply to those areas.
Water Body
Fish Species
Size Limit
Limit (per person per day)
Statewide except the water bodies listed
below:
Smallmouth Bass
12 inches min
No more than 5 combined total
of smallmouth, largemouth,
redeye bass or their hybrids
Lakes Hartwell, Russell (including the Lake
Hartwell tailwater), Thurmond, Tugaloo, Yonah;
Stevens Creek Reservoir; the Chattooga and
Savannah Rivers
Smallmouth Bass
Any length
No more than 10 combined total of black bass
Lake Keowee
Smallmouth Bass
12 inches min
No more than 10 combined
total of black bass
Statewide except the water bodies listed
below:
Any length
No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth,
largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids
Lakes Hartwell, Keowee, Russell (including the
Lake Hartwell tailwater),Thurmond, Tugaloo,
Yonah; Stevens Creek Reservoir; the Chattooga
and Savannah Rivers
Redeye (Bartrams) Bass
Any length
No more than 10 combined total of black bass
Statewide except the water bodies listed
below:
Largemouth Bass
Any length
No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth,
largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids
Lakes Blalock, Greenwood, Jocassee, Marion,
Monticello, Moultrie, Murray, Secession,
Wateree, Wylie and the middle reach of the
Saluda River and the upper reach of the Santee
River
Largemouth Bass
14 inches min
No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth,
largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids
Lakes Hartwell, Keowee, Russell (including the
Lake Hartwell tailwater), Thurmond, Tugaloo,
Yonah; Stevens Creek Reservoir; the Chattooga
and Savannah Rivers
Largemouth Bass
12 inches min
No more than 10 combined total of black bass
Lake Robinson (Greenville County)
Largemouth Bass
12 inches min
No more than 5 combined total of smallmouth,
largemouth, redeye bass or their hybrids
Not an official document.
Refer to SCNDR’s official fishing
regulations pamphlet or www.dnr.sc.gov.
CarolinaSportsman.com
July 2025 | Carolina Sportsman
19
FRESHWATER
Statewide except the water bodies listed
below:
Spotted Bass
Any length
15
Lakes Hartwell, Keowee, Russell (including the
Lake Hartwell tailwater), Thurmond, Tugaloo,
Yonah; Stevens Creek Reservoir; the Chattooga
and Savannah Rivers
Spotted Bass
Any length
No more than 10 combined total of black bass
Slade’s Lake
Black Bass
12 inches min
No more than 2 bass per person per day
GAME FISH SIZE & POSSESSION LIMITS: STRIPED, WHITE & HYBRID BASS
• A total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day. This total shall not exceed more than the limits or exceptions listed below. Any game fish or species with a size limit listed must be landed with
head and tail fin intact. All freshwater fish species in the state of South Carolina are measured using total length. Special limits and regulations apply to SCDNR managed lakes.
• Check with state parks, city reservoirs or county parks for special limits and regulations that apply to those areas.
Water Body
Fish Species
Size Limit
Limit (per person per day)
Statewide except the Savannah River
White Bass
Any length
10
Statewide except the water bodies list below:
Striped or Hybrid Bass
or a combination
Any length
10
Ashepoo River; Ashley River; Back River in
Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley
County; Black River; Black Mingo Creek; Bull
Creek and Little Bull Creek; Combahee River;
Cooper River system (see map, Temperate Bass
Identification); Coosawhatchie River; Cuckholds
Creek; Edisto River; Horseshoe Creek;
Intracoastal Waterway (Horry County);
Lumber River; Lynches River; Great Pee Dee and
Little Pee Dee Rivers; Pocotaligo in Beaufort,
Jasper, and Hampton Counties; Salkehatchie
and Little Salkehatchie Rivers; Sampit River;
Tulifinny River; Thoroughfare Creek; and
Waccamaw River
Striped or Hybrid Bass
or a combination
Oct. 1 - June 15: 26 inches min
June 16 - Sept. 30 closed
Santee River system; includes Saluda River
(Lower Reach)
Striped or Hybrid Bass
or a combination
Oct. 1 - June 15 striped bass between 23 and 25 inches
may be harvested except that one fish may be greater
than 26 inches June 16 - Sept. 30 closed except for Lower
Reach Saluda River where catch and release is allowed
but when fishing with live or dead fish or bait fish parts
hook gap (point to shank) must not exceed 3/8 of an
inch except all sizes of inline, non-offset, non-stainless
steel circle hooks are allowed.
Lake Murray
Striped or Hybrid Bass
or a combination
Oct. 1 - May 31: 21 inches min
June 1 - Sept. 30: any length
Unlawful to take, attempt to take,
or possess more than 5
Saluda River (Middle Reach) All waters of
Saluda River from backwaters of Lake Murray
at SC Hwy 395 upstream to Lake Greenwood
Dam
Striped or Hybrid Bass
or a combination
Oct. 1 - May 31: 21 inches
June 1 - Sept. 30: any length
Unlawful to take, attempt to take,
or possess more than 5
Lake Russell
Striped or Hybrid Bass
or a combination
Only 1 fish larger than 34 inches
Lake Hartwell Tailwater
Striped or Hybrid Bass
or a combination
Only 1 fish over 34 inches
Savannah River (Lower) All waters of Savannah
River from its confluence with the Atlantic
Ocean upstream to the Lake J. Strom Thurmond
Dam
Striped, Hybrid or White Bass
or a combination
27 inches min
Lake Hartwell & Lake Thurmond
Striped or Hybrid Bass or a combina-
tion
Only 3 fish over 26 inches
10
STATE FISHING RECORDS
Check out state record catches at www.dnr.sc.gov/fish/freshrecs/records.html
Report potential record breaking catches at your nearest regional SCDNR office.
MEASURING A FISH
How to Properly Measure a Freshwater Fish
TL = total length measure; Tip of snout with mouth closed to tip of tail. Tail should be pinched.
All freshwater fish species in the state of South Carolina are measured using total length. Some
saltwater species are measured with fork length.
Carolina Sportsman| July 2025
20
CURRENT, CUT BAIT AND CATFISH
Try these rivers for high quality catfi sh
uly is a great month for catching catfish, and it offers some
premium night fishing opportunities. In North Carolina,
the Yadkin River and the Neuse River both offer excellent sum-
mer opportunities for catfish anglers. In South Carolina, the
Wateree River and Fishing Creek provide similar potential for
memorable catches.
NORTH CAROLINA
The Yadkin River is well-known for its healthy flathead popula-
tion. These fish prefer deep holes, rocky structure, and areas
near submerged timber or steep banks. Anglers should focus
on dusk-to-dawn fishing using sturdy gear, strong leaders, and
large live bait such as bream, which flatheads prefer over cut bait.
Targeting undercut banks, the downstream side of rock piles, and
river bends can lead to exciting strikes. This river holds plenty of
blue cats and channels as well.
The Neuse River, especially from the Piedmont region down
through Kinston and Goldsboro, has quietly become one of
North Carolina’s premier flathead catfish destinations.
Flatheads were introduced here decades ago and have
since established a strong population. These fish thrive in the
Neuse’s deep, slow-moving bends, log-infested backwaters, and
stretches of undercut bank. July is prime time for catching them
▶By Brian Cope
HOTSPOTS
FISHING