Offshore
Charleston Offshore Live Bottom
Offshore · South Carolina · Charleston offshore live-bottom / permitted reefs
Location Snapshot
Charleston Offshore Live Bottom is a South Carolina shelf fishery centered on offshore live-bottom and reef structure beyond Charleston Harbor. Gag grouper, red snapper, and vermilion snapper are the principal supported targets, with gray triggerfish and greater amberjack adding additional structure-oriented opportunities.
Information Only
StrikeTracks does not currently provide an Offshore fishing-condition rating. Marine Conditions are observations and forecasts for trip planning. They are not an Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor fishing score.
Marine Conditions
Planning context — not a fishing rating.
Regional Marine Forecast
Today
N winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft, subsiding to 3 to 5 ft this afternoon. Wave Detail: E 6 ft at 13 seconds, becoming E 5 ft at 12 seconds.
Marine Alerts
- Small Craft Advisory · Minor — Small Craft Advisory issued October 20 at 2:22AM EDT until October 21 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Nearby fishing destinations
South Carolina · Southeast Atlantic / Charleston / Folly Beach · Shore
Approximately 20.8 miles away
South Carolina · Southeast Atlantic / Charleston / Isle of Palms · Shore
Approximately 20.9 miles away
South Carolina · Southeast Atlantic / Charleston Harbor · Harbor
Approximately 25.2 miles away
Fishery Profile
Fishery Overview
Charleston Offshore Live Bottom offshore fishery
Charleston Offshore Live Bottom is permitted live bottom and reef offshore of the harbor, for gag grouper, red snapper, and vermilion snapper. It is not the Battery fishery. Unpublished private modules are not included.
- Habitat and structure
- Live bottom · Permitted reefs
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Fishery Targets
Gag, red snapper, and vermilion are typical with annually variable federal seasons. Triggerfish and amberjack follow the current annual rules.
This reflects typical biological/fishery timing, not a legal open season. Check current regulations before fishing.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Gag grouper
PrimaryRegulations vary annuallyMycteroperca microlepis
Also called Gag
Typical seasonal opportunity: WINTER — SPRING
Red snapper
PrimaryRegulations vary annuallyLutjanus campechanus
Typical seasonal opportunity: SUMMER
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Typical seasonal opportunity: SUMMER
Gray triggerfish
SecondaryRegulations vary annuallyBalistes capriscus
Typical seasonal opportunity: SUMMER
Greater amberjack
SecondarySeriola dumerili
No seasonal pulse known
Typical Seasonal Targets
- Gag grouper — WINTER — SPRING
- Red snapper — SUMMER
- Vermilion snapper — SUMMER
- Gray triggerfish — SUMMER
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
Access, Safety and Regulations
Access
Offshore boat from Charleston. Not the Battery seawall.
Primary hazards
Open shelf seas. Watch the weather and give ship traffic room.
Fishery considerations
- Charleston Harbor tides are not representative of this location.
- Regional NWS.
Regulations
Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.
Fishery Sources
Editorial and agency sources supporting this fishery profile. Live and predicted conditions use the separate Data Sources section.
Location and Access
Offshore · South Carolina
This marker is the mapped fishing area. It is not a boat ramp, a parking area, or a place to drive to.