Many bordering states have some sort of reciprocal agreement for fishermen plying border waters, but North Carolina and South Carolina do not, possibly because of the significant differences in the way several species are regulated.
The border between the two states runs about a half-mile west of Calabash across the marsh to about 100 yards east of Little River Inlet. The Calabash River and several marsh creeks wind across the state line a few times, the border is not well marked.
Flounder, red drum, speckled trout and black drum are the primary species encountered in the waters adjacent to the state line, and all three are managed by different regulations.
• The minimum size for flounder in South Carolina is 14 inches; it’s 15 in North Carolina. North Carolina fishermen can keep only six per day, while South Carolina fishermen can keep 15, but no more than 30 per boat. Flounder management in North Carolina is currently under review, and changes may be implemented by September.
• North Carolina allows fishermen to keep a single red drum in an 18- to 27-inch slot limit, while South Carolina fishermen can keep three fish between 15 and 23 inches.
• Both states manage speckled trout with a 14-inch minimum size. North Carolina anglers can keep four fish per day, while anglers in South Carolina can keep 10.
• South Carolina fishermen can keep five black drum per day in a 14- to 27-inch slot limit; North Carolina fishermen can keep 10 per day in a 14- to 25-inch slot, with one fish longer than 25 inches allowed.
These differences are complex for guides like Mark Dickson, who routinely cross the state lines to find fish. He has found that combining the limits to only allow keeping fish that are legal in both states is the best way to operate, even though it sometimes means his clients can’t keep the largest or most fish.
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