Drum & Croaker (Sciaenidae)
Spot
Leiostomus xanthurus
About the spot
Spot are small but mighty in the pan. Named for the distinctive dark spot behind their gill plate, these little fish show up in huge schools during the fall run and provide fast, fun fishing for the whole family. Pan-fried whole, they're a Lowcountry delicacy.
- inshore
- bottom feeder
- fall run
- pan fish
- beginner friendly
Where to find them
Piers that report spot
Season, bait and average size as reported for each pier.
Pawleys Island Pier
Biting- Months
- Sep–Dec
- Best bait
- Bloodworms, shrimp bits
- Average size
- 6–10 in
- Pier record
- 2 lbs
Arrive in huge schools in fall. Excellent pan fish and great fun for kids.
Murrells Inlet MarshWalk
Biting- Months
- Sep–Dec
- Best bait
- Bloodworms, shrimp bits
- Average size
- 6–10 in
- Pier record
- 2 lbs
Arrive in huge schools in fall. Excellent pan fish and great fun for kids.
Murrells Inlet MarshWalk
Peak season- Months
- Mar–Nov
- Best bait
- Live shrimp, MirrOlure
- Average size
- 14–20 in
- Pier record
- 12 lbs (SC state)
Excellent in the inlet waters. Fish around oyster beds and grass flats.
Garden City Pier
Biting- Months
- Sep–Dec
- Best bait
- Bloodworms, shrimp bits
- Average size
- 6–10 in
- Pier record
- 2 lbs
Arrive in huge schools in fall. Excellent pan fish and great fun for kids.
Pier 14
Biting- Months
- Sep–Dec
- Best bait
- Bloodworms, shrimp bits
- Average size
- 6–10 in
- Pier record
- 2 lbs
Arrive in huge schools in fall. Excellent pan fish and great fun for kids.
Second Avenue Pier
Biting- Months
- Sep–Dec
- Best bait
- Bloodworms, shrimp bits
- Average size
- 6–10 in
- Pier record
- 2 lbs
Arrive in huge schools in fall. Excellent pan fish and great fun for kids.
- Months
- Sep–Dec
- Best bait
- Bloodworms, shrimp bits
- Average size
- 6–10 in
- Pier record
- 2 lbs
Arrive in huge schools in fall. Excellent pan fish and great fun for kids.
Surfside Pier
Biting- Months
- Sep–Dec
- Best bait
- Bloodworms, shrimp bits
- Average size
- 6–10 in
- Pier record
- 2 lbs
Arrive in huge schools in fall. Excellent pan fish and great fun for kids.
Springmaid Pier
Biting- Months
- Sep–Dec
- Best bait
- Bloodworms, shrimp bits
- Average size
- 6–10 in
- Pier record
- 2 lbs
Arrive in huge schools in fall. Excellent pan fish and great fun for kids.
Cherry Grove Pier
Biting- Months
- Sep–Dec
- Best bait
- Bloodworms, shrimp bits
- Average size
- 6–10 in
- Pier record
- 2 lbs
Arrive in huge schools in fall. Excellent pan fish and great fun for kids.
Apache Pier
Biting- Months
- Sep–Dec
- Best bait
- Bloodworms, shrimp bits
- Average size
- 6–10 in
- Pier record
- 2 lbs
Arrive in huge schools in fall. Excellent pan fish and great fun for kids.
South Carolina rules
Keeping spot
Spot
saltwater- Minimum size
- None
- Maximum size
- None
- Daily bag limit
- 50
- Closed season
- None
N/A
50/day aggregate with Atlantic Croaker and Whiting • Hook and line only
Summarized from SCDNR. Limits change — confirm before you keep a fish at the SCDNR source.