The biggest Grand Strand records
- Tiger shark
- 1,780 lb, Cherry Grove, 1964
- Swordfish
- 500 lb, Georgetown, 1978
- Warsaw grouper
- 310 lb, Murrells Inlet, 1976
- Wahoo
- 130 lb 5 oz, Murrells Inlet, 1998
- Amberjack
- 129 lb, Murrells Inlet, 2024
- Red drum
- 75 lb, Murrells Inlet, 1965
The records, by type
All weights and ports below are from SCDNR's saltwater records list, as read on October 29, 2026. Weights are in pounds and ounces. SCDNR updates the list when a new record is certified; check the official list for the latest.
Offshore pelagics and billfish
| Species | Weight | Port, year |
|---|---|---|
| Swordfish | 500-0 | Georgetown, 1978 |
| Wahoo | 130-5 | Murrells Inlet, 1998 |
| Sailfish | 75-0 | Georgetown, 1968 |
| Great barracuda | 65-0 | Georgetown, 1948 |
| Spanish mackerel | 11-0 | Myrtle Beach, 1983 |
| Atlantic bonito | 7-11 | Little River, 1993 |
Reef and bottom fish
| Species | Weight | Port, year |
|---|---|---|
| Warsaw grouper | 310-0 | Murrells Inlet, 1976 |
| Amberjack | 129-0 | Murrells Inlet, 2024 |
| Speckled hind | 45-0 | Little River, 1973 |
| Red snapper | 37-8 | Little River, 1964 |
| Red grouper | 33-13 | Little River, 2022 |
| Scamp | 28-8.3 | Crazy Sister Marina, Murrells Inlet, 2018 |
| Mutton snapper | 26-0 | Murrells Inlet, 2002 |
| Yellowmouth grouper | 22-8 | Murrells Inlet, 2001 |
| Yellowedge grouper | 21-5 | Murrells Inlet, 2021 |
| Margate | 18-8 | Murrells Inlet, 1971 |
| Blueline tilefish | 14-6 | Murrells Inlet, 1982 |
| Gray triggerfish | 13-9 | Murrells Inlet, 1989 |
| Red porgy | 10-8 | Murrells Inlet, 1985 |
| Tautog | 6-5 | Murrells Inlet, 2021 |
| Lionfish | 2-11 | Murrells Inlet, 2024 |
SCDNR's list notes that, because of federal regulations, Warsaw grouper and speckled hind can no longer be kept and must be released alive, so those records will stand.
Inshore and surf
| Species | Weight | Port, year |
|---|---|---|
| Red drum | 75-0 | Murrells Inlet, 1965 |
| Southern flounder (tie) | 17-9.6 | Murrells Inlet, 2003 |
| Spotted seatrout | 11-13 | Murrells Inlet, 1976 |
| Gulf flounder | 6-4.8 | Murrells Inlet, 2021 |
| Summer flounder | 3-8 | Murrells Inlet, 1982 |
| Kingfish (whiting) (tie) | 2-12 | Georgetown, 1976 |
| Kingfish (whiting) (tie) | 2-10 | Pawleys Island, 1968 |
| Spot (tie) | 1-4 | Murrells Inlet, 2001 |
| Spot (tie) | 1-3 and 1-2 | Garden City Pier, 1978 |
SCDNR's list marks the red drum record with a note: because of the current slot limit, the record will stand until fishery regulations change.
Sharks
| Species | Weight | Port, year |
|---|---|---|
| Tiger shark | 1,780-0 | Cherry Grove, 1964 |
| Atlantic sharpnose shark | 13-5 | Murrells Inlet, 2009 |
Why so many records come from here
Murrells Inlet and Little River combine short runs to good bottom, a long history of headboat and charter fishing, and a lot of anglers. More fish caught means more chances at a record. The Gulf Stream records, such as the wahoo and swordfish, reflect boats running 40 to 60 miles or more offshore.
How to apply for a record
SCDNR's record rules set the requirements. In short, according to SCDNR: the fish must be caught legally on conventional rod and reel and hooked and played by one person (no electric reels); offshore boats must leave from and return to South Carolina without entering another state's port; the fish must be weighed on a state-certified scale with two witnesses not associated with the catch; and an SCDNR marine fisheries biologist must inspect it. A new record under 50 pounds must beat the old one by 4 ounces (8 ounces for 50 to 100 pounds, 16 ounces over 100 pounds); a smaller margin is a tie. Keep the fish whole and on ice, and call the State Record Marine Game Fish Program at (843) 953-0119 before you clean it.
Tell us about a big fish
If you catch a record or a tournament winner, send us the official result through the contact form. We publish verified results in fishing news.
In pictures
Photo credits and licenses · Photos are illustrative, not a specific local boat, business, or catch.
Who you will deal with
More offices, with notes, are on the local resources page.
Find local help
- Fishing charters on the Grand Strand
- Headboats and party boats 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
What is the biggest fish ever caught in South Carolina?
By weight, the heaviest fish on SCDNR's saltwater records list is the 1,780-pound tiger shark caught at Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, in 1964.
Are any Grand Strand records recent?
Yes. Recent entries include the amberjack (129 lb, Murrells Inlet, 2024), lionfish (2 lb 11 oz, Murrells Inlet, 2024), red grouper (33 lb 13 oz, Little River, 2022), and the 2021 yellowedge grouper, Gulf flounder, and tautog records out of Murrells Inlet.
Can a fish caught on a charter or headboat be a state record?
Yes, as long as it meets SCDNR's rules: conventional rod and reel, hooked and played by the angler alone, and a boat that left from and returned to South Carolina. The scamp record, for example, lists Crazy Sister Marina as its port. The angler applies, not the boat.
Related guides
Sources
Official sources checked on October 29, 2026.