Flounder at a glance
- Species
- Southern (most common inshore), summer (more on reefs and the beach), Gulf
- Where
- Creek mouths, docks, jetty edges, inlet sandbars, pier pilings, nearshore reefs
- Best season
- Late spring to fall; fall best for big fish
- How
- Live mud minnows or finger mullet on a Carolina rig; soft-plastic jigs
- SC records (Murrells Inlet)
- Southern 17 lb 9.6 oz (2003, tie); Gulf 6 lb 4.8 oz (2021); summer 3 lb 8 oz (1982)
- Limits
- Check current SC rules
Where flounder live
Flounder bury themselves in sand or mud with only their eyes showing and wait for bait to swim past. On the Grand Strand, look for them:
- At creek mouths in Murrells Inlet, Little River, and North Inlet on a falling tide, where bait drains out of the marsh.
- Along docks, bulkheads, and the inlet jetties, especially where current sweeps past structure.
- Around pier pilings in summer and fall.
- On nearshore reefs and wrecks, where larger summer flounder gather.
When to fish
Flounder move inshore in spring, feed through summer, and the biggest fish are often caught in fall as they head out to spawn offshore. Winter is slow inshore.
How to catch them
- Carolina rig: a sliding egg sinker, swivel, 18 to 24 inches of fluorocarbon leader, and a 1/0 to 3/0 hook. Bait with a live mud minnow or finger mullet.
- Drag it slowly along the bottom.
- Wait. Flounder grab the bait sideways and turn it. Give a few seconds before you set the hook (less with circle hooks).
- Jigs: soft-plastic grubs and paddletails on a 1/4 to 1/2 ounce jighead, bounced along the bottom.
The records
SCDNR's records list Murrells Inlet for all three: southern flounder, 17 pounds 9.6 ounces (2003, tied with a 1974 fish from the South Santee); Gulf flounder, 6 pounds 4.8 ounces (2021); and summer flounder, 3 pounds 8 ounces (1982).
Rules
SCDNR has tightened flounder limits in recent years in response to declining southern flounder numbers, and it reviews the fishery regularly. Its October 2026 saltwater advisory committee meeting included an update on the agency's southern flounder stock enhancement work. Check the current size and bag limits before you keep fish. See also inshore fishing.
Who you will deal with
NOAA tide predictions: Springmaid Pier (station 8661070)
More offices, with notes, are on the local resources page.
Find local help
- Fishing charters on the Grand Strand
- Fishing piers on the Grand Strand
- Bait and tackle shops on the Grand Strand
Listings come from public records or from the business itself. A listing is not a recommendation.
Common questions
Why did South Carolina tighten flounder rules?
SCDNR studies found southern flounder numbers declining, and the state raised the minimum size and cut bag limits in recent years. SCDNR has also run a southern flounder stock enhancement program. Check the current limits in the regulations guide.
Can you gig flounder in South Carolina?
Yes, gigging flounder at night is legal in South Carolina with a saltwater license, under the same size and bag limits. Check the regulations guide for gear rules.
Related guides
More inshore and surf fish
Sources
Official sources checked on October 29, 2026.