Hybrid Striped Bass in South Carolina
Keeper rules and likely water for hybrid striped bass around South Carolina.
- 10 a daylimit
- 20 lb 6 ozstate record
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Hybrid Striped Bass: the South Carolina rundown
Absent a lake row of its own, a hybrid striped bass angler works to any length and 10 a day. It is rewritten for 12 sets of water; the first is Ashepoo River; Ashley River; Back River in Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley Co.
Fresh water rules list it as game fish. SCDNR keeps 1 state record entry for it.
2026-2027 South Carolina Hunting & Fishing Guide, valid August 14, 2026 to August 14, 2027 (online guide; PDF page 30), read November 9, 2026.
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Measure tip to tail; the daily game fish total across species is 40.
| Water as printed | Size | Daily |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide except the water bodies list below: | Any length | 10 |
2026-2027 South Carolina Hunting & Fishing Guide, valid August 14, 2026 to August 14, 2027 (online guide; PDF page 30), read November 9, 2026.
Where the hybrid striped bass rule changes in South Carolina
| Waters as the guide lists them | Size | Daily |
|---|---|---|
| Ashepoo River; Ashley River; Back River in Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley County; Black River; Black Mingo Creek; Bull Creek and Little Bull Creek; Combahee River; Cooper River system (see map); Coosawhatchie River; Cuckholds Creek; Edisto River; | Oct. 1 – June 15: 26 inches min | 3 |
| Ashepoo River; Ashley River; Back River in Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley County; Black River; Black Mingo Creek; Bull Creek and Little Bull Creek; Combahee River; Cooper River system (see map); Coosawhatchie River; Cuckholds Creek; Edisto River; | June 16 – Sept. 30 closed | June 16 – Sept. 30 closed |
| Santee River system (see map below); includes Saluda River (Lower Reach) | Oct. 1 – June 15 striped bass between 23 and 25 inches may be harvested except that one fish may be greater than 26 inches | 3 |
| Santee River system (see map below); includes Saluda River (Lower Reach) | June 16 – Sept. 30 closed except for Lower Reach Saluda River where catch and release is allowed but when fishing with live or dead fish or bait fish parts hook gap (point to shank) must not exceed 3/8 of an inch except all sizes of inline, non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks are allowed. | June 16 – Sept. 30 closed except for Lower Reach Saluda River where catch and release is allowed but when fishing with live or dead fish or bait fish parts hook gap (point to shank) must not exceed 3/ |
| Lake Murray | Oct. 1 – May 31: 21 inches min | 5 |
| Lake Murray | June 1 – Sept. 30: any length | Unlawful to take, attempt to take, or possess more than 5 |
| Saluda River (Middle Reach) All waters of Saluda River from backwaters of Lake Murray at SC Hwy 395 upstream to Lake Greenwood Dam | Oct. 1 – May 31: 21 inches | 5 |
| Saluda River (Middle Reach) All waters of Saluda River from backwaters of Lake Murray at SC Hwy 395 upstream to Lake Greenwood Dam | June 1 – Sept. 30: any length | Unlawful to take, attempt to take, or possess more than 5 |
| Lake Russell | Only 1 fish larger than 34 inches | 2 |
| Lake Hartwell Tailwater | Only 1 fish over 34 inches | 2 |
| Savannah River (Lower) All waters of Savannah River from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean upstream to the Lake J. Strom Thurmond Dam | 27 inches min | 2 |
| Lake Hartwell & Lake Thurmond | Only 3 fish over 26 inches | 10 |
2026-2027 South Carolina Hunting & Fishing Guide, valid August 14, 2026 to August 14, 2027 (online guide; PDF page 30), read November 9, 2026.
The heaviest South Carolina hybrid striped bass on record
| SCDNR listing | Weight | Water or place | Year | List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Striped Bass | 20 lb 6 oz | Savannah River | 1978 | freshwater |
Figures follow the SCDNR pound-ounce style; names are not reprinted.
South Carolina state record fish as listed by SCDNR (record list), read November 9, 2026.
The SCDNR fact page for hybrid striped bass
Identification, range and habits are on SCDNR’s species page at dnr.sc.gov.
Photo of Hybrid Striped Bass: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Going after hybrid striped bass in the Palmetto State, answered
How many hybrid striped bass may I keep in South Carolina?
The guide row reads: size any length, daily 10.
Do named Carolina waters bend the hybrid striped bass row?
It does on 12 rows, Ashepoo River; Ashley River; Back River in Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley Co included.
Which water holds the South Carolina hybrid striped bass record?
It is 20 lb 6 oz, taken at Savannah River (1978).
Good places in South Carolina for hybrid striped bass?
So far no Carolina water page shows it.
What kind of fish is hybrid striped bass under South Carolina rules?
Yes; the guide names it a freshwater game fish.
What does SCDNR charge an angler targeting hybrid striped bass?
Anglers 16 and older need a South Carolina freshwater fishing license; SCDNR prints $10 for a resident annual license and $35 for a nonresident annual license.
How are hybrid striped bass weights shown on the record list?
The dash splits pounds from ounces, the SCDNR habit.
May I hold more than one day's hybrid striped bass at home?
The guide pages read carry daily limits only, so no possession number is printed here.
Head out after hybrid striped bass
Landings and rules sit on each linked water page.