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October 20, 2026

Fishermen are blessed with the latest tackle technology that can produce a sensitive rod capable of making long casts, yet powerful enough to subdue a hefty red drum.

Make the correct gear choices

Out of the hundreds of different gamefish available in North Carolina, there is an equal number of rod and reel combinations available to fishermen for every set of conditions. […]

Look for weed lines or other kinds of floating structure, but stay away from artificial reefs or wrecks when targeting dolphin because of the number of other predators that will be on hand.

During the spring and early summer, dolphin migrate from Florida to the mid-Atlantic states. Typically, they travel along the edge of the Gulf Stream, they but will move into shallow water to recharge on the abundant baitfish. […]

Big numbers of dolphin can be caught from one school by keeping a hooked fish in the water just behind the stern of the boat.

String ’em on!

Jeff Burleson

Dolphin, especially at smaller sizes, will in tight schools to protect themselves from larger predators, and fishermen can take advantage of these instinctive traits to put a limit of 10 fish in the boat in relatively little time. […]

Redfish can be caught on a variety of rigs and baits, like a leadhead jig and live mud minnow.

Getting rigged for slammers

Brian Cope

When fishing for any of the species that make up the inshore slam, some anglers use the same equipment and some vary slightly. […]

Henry Long and Capt. Amy Little admire a sheepshead, a fish that might turn an inshore slam into an inshore grand slam.

What makes a slam grand?

Brian Cope

The “inshore slam” consists of the three most-popular inshore fish in South Carolina: redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. […]

A scent of a crab chunk on the bottom will attract the attention of any redfish in the area; it’s one of their favorite foods.

The best nose in the marsh

Jerry Dilsaver

Like the character Tommy in the rock opera “Pinball Wizard,” red drum often feed in turbid or dirty water where they can’t see; this means they play almost entirely by their sense of smell, even relying on it in clear water. […]

Largemouth bass like this one caught by Brooke Knott of Sumter are a staple in the 10-acre mill pond that’s the centerpiece of Poinsett State Park in Wedgefield.

State park fishing by the (phone) numbers

Brian Cope

South Carolina is a diverse state with different species of fish throughout, and the state parks offer opportunities to catch every species of fish. […]

North Carolina and South Carolina manage red drum — and several other inshore species — with different creel and size limits, so fishermen who cross the state line need to know when they’re in the right, or wrong.

Beware: different strokes for different states

Jerry Dilsaver

The actual position of the North Carolina/South Carolina border is not well marked in the marshes between Ocean Isle and Dunn Sound, and the fish don’t pay any attention. […]

Family Fishing Clinics are held at state parks around South Carolina throughout the year to educate novice anglers.

Opportunities to learn

Brian Cope

In 2012, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources decided to take a proactive approach to recruiting more anglers to state parks, as well as other fishing locations. SCNDR’s Family Fishing Clinics are a big part of the agency’s outreach program, and many are held in state parks. […]