A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 50-5-1705, RELATING TO CATCH LIMITS FOR CERTAIN SALTWATER GAME FISH, SO AS TO REVISE THE CATCH LIMIT FOR RED DRUM; BY AMENDING SECTION 50-5-1710, RELATING TO SIZE LIMITS FOR CERTAIN SALTWATER GAME FISH, SO AS TO REVISE THE SIZE LIMIT FOR RED DRUM; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 50-5-1700, RELATING TO EQUIPMENT FOR THE CATCHING OF SALTWATER GAME FISH, SO AS TO REQUIRE A NON-OFFSET, NON-STAINLESS STEEL CIRCLE HOOK WHEN USING A HANDHELD HOOK AND LINE AND A HOOK SIZE OF 4/0 OR LARGER.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Section 50-5-1705(D) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (D) It is unlawful for a person to take or have in possession more than two one red drum in any one day, not to exceed six two red drum in any one day on any boat.

 

SECTION 2.  Section 50-5-1710(B)(3) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (3) red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) (channel bass or spottail bass) of less than fifteen eighteen inches in total length, or more than twenty-threetwenty-five inches in total length;

 

SECTION 3.  Section 50-5-1700(B) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (B)(1) It is unlawful to take or attempt to take saltwater gamefish in the waters of this State, except by:

           (1)(a) hand-held hook and line, which includesto include rod and reel and pole, and when using natural bait with a hook size of 4/0 or larger, the hook must be a non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hook; or

           (2)(b) gigging during legal periods.

        (2) Any saltwater gamefish taken by any other means must be returned immediately to the water.

 

SECTION 4.  This act takes effect on July 1, 2026.

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