2026 Recreational Season
July 1 - August 31
One fish per person, per day
20 inch minimum size
Free exempted fishing permit required and mandatory trip reporting
About
The South Carolina Red Snapper Project is a state-based angler-driven effort to collect better data on red snapper fishing while allowing greater access to the fishery. This is an experiment that relies on cooperation between SCDNR and anglers to document catch and properly manage this important fishery.
Step 1
Obtain a free exempted fishing permit on the GoOutdoorsSC App or at GoOutdoorsSC.com. Anglers must first have a valid SC saltwater fishing license or privilege. Permits will be available on or after June 16, 2026
Step 2
After obtaining your permit on GoOutdoorsSC, you will receive an email containing instructions for how to download the free VESL app and create your account.
Step 3
Planning to keep red snapper? Declare your trip in the VESL app. You may declare up to 5 days before a trip. EACH angler planning to keep a red snapper must declare a trip and report their catch.
Step 4
Report your catch on the VESL app within 24 hours of completion. Once an angler has reported for one trip, they may declare additional trips.
Why Reporting Matters
Your data provides real-time catch and trip information to fisheries managers and reduces the data uncertainty that contributed to short fishing seasons in the past. This exempted fishing permit is an experiment where anglers directly contribute data that helps managers maintain a healthy fishery. South Carolina’s ability to continue this experiment and provide greater fishing access in the following years relies on the cooperation of our anglers.
Gear Requirements for the snapper/grouper fishery
- Descending device rigged and ready with at least 60 feet of line and 16+ oz of weight
- Additionally, anglers fishing under the exempted fishing permit are required to USE their descending device when releasing red snapper that show signs of barotrauma
- Non-offset, non stainless steel circle hooks
- Dehooking tool
- More information is available at Best Fishing Practices - South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
Resources
Return 'Em Right
Return 'Em Right is expanding to the South Atlantic and our anglers can get a SeaQualizer setup for the cost of shipping ($12) now if they complete the online training module.
Get a descending device from Return 'Em Right
Informational sessions and Webinars
| Date/Time | Type | Address |
|---|---|---|
| June 2nd, 5 PM | In Person | Butler Marine, 70 Sea Island Pkwy, Lady’s Island, SC 29907 |
| June 3rd, 5 PM | In Person | Crazy Sister Marina, 4123 US 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 |
| June 4th, 5 PM | In Person | Haddrells Point Tackle , 885 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 |
| TBD (likely week of 6/8) | Virtual Session |
Questions? Reach out to us at redsnapper@dnr.sc.gov.
FAQ's
Will the red snapper season occur in July and August each year? Will it always be 62 days?
The red snapper project is an adaptive experiment that may be repeated for up to two more years. The timing of the season, duration, size limits, and other factors may change from year to year depending on the information collected and feedback from anglers after each season.
Who is required to obtain an experimental red snapper harvest permit and report their red snapper catch?
Any recreational angler who intends to keep red snapper in federal waters off South Carolina. Anglers fishing off Georgia or North Carolina will follow similar protocols with some differences. Please refer to the GADNR or NCDMF websites for specifics.
Partners & Funding
The South Carolina Red Snapper Project is operated by the SCDNR and supported by a grant from Yamaha Rightwaters. Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida are collaborating through their own EFP applications.