Flatfish (Paralichthyidae)
Flounder
Paralichthys spp.
About the flounder
Flounder are ambush predators that lie flat on the sandy bottom near pier pilings, waiting to strike passing baitfish. Their unique flat body and both-eyes-on-one-side anatomy make them one of the most distinctive fish you'll catch. Prized for their mild, sweet white meat.
- inshore
- flatfish
- bottom feeder
- ambush predator
Where to find them
Piers that report flounder
Season, bait and average size as reported for each pier.
Cherry Grove Pier
Peak season- Months
- Mar–Nov
- Best bait
- Live minnows, mud minnows
- Average size
- 14–20 in
- Pier record
- 20+ lbs
Best caught on bottom rigs near the pier structure. Incoming tide is prime time.
Pawleys Island Pier
Peak season- Months
- Mar–Nov
- Best bait
- Live minnows, mud minnows
- Average size
- 14–20 in
- Pier record
- 20+ lbs
Best caught on bottom rigs near the pier structure. Incoming tide is prime time.
Garden City Pier
Peak season- Months
- Mar–Nov
- Best bait
- Live minnows, mud minnows
- Average size
- 14–20 in
- Pier record
- 20+ lbs
Best caught on bottom rigs near the pier structure. Incoming tide is prime time.
Murrells Inlet MarshWalk
Peak season- Months
- Mar–Nov
- Best bait
- Live minnows, mud minnows
- Average size
- 14–20 in
- Pier record
- 20+ lbs
Best caught on bottom rigs near the pier structure. Incoming tide is prime time.
Surfside Pier
Peak season- Months
- Mar–Nov
- Best bait
- Live minnows, mud minnows
- Average size
- 14–20 in
- Pier record
- 20+ lbs
Best caught on bottom rigs near the pier structure. Incoming tide is prime time.
Myrtle Beach State Park Pier
Peak season- Months
- Mar–Nov
- Best bait
- Live minnows, mud minnows
- Average size
- 14–20 in
- Pier record
- 20+ lbs
Best caught on bottom rigs near the pier structure. Incoming tide is prime time.
Springmaid Pier
Peak season- Months
- Mar–Nov
- Best bait
- Live minnows, mud minnows
- Average size
- 14–20 in
- Pier record
- 20+ lbs
Best caught on bottom rigs near the pier structure. Incoming tide is prime time.
Apache Pier
Peak season- Months
- Mar–Nov
- Best bait
- Live minnows, mud minnows
- Average size
- 14–20 in
- Pier record
- 20+ lbs
Best caught on bottom rigs near the pier structure. Incoming tide is prime time.
Second Avenue Pier
Peak season- Months
- Mar–Nov
- Best bait
- Live minnows, mud minnows
- Average size
- 14–20 in
- Pier record
- 20+ lbs
Best caught on bottom rigs near the pier structure. Incoming tide is prime time.
Pier 14
Peak season- Months
- Mar–Nov
- Best bait
- Live minnows, mud minnows
- Average size
- 14–20 in
- Pier record
- 20+ lbs
Best caught on bottom rigs near the pier structure. Incoming tide is prime time.
South Carolina rules
Keeping flounder
Flounder
saltwater- Minimum size
- 16"
- Maximum size
- None
- Daily bag limit
- 5
- Closed season
- None
TL
Boat limit 10
Includes Southern, Summer & Gulf Flounder • Hook and line or gig
Summarized from SCDNR. Limits change — confirm before you keep a fish at the SCDNR source.