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Hilton Head Island, South Carolina: live ocean temperature, tides, waves and wind, plus the fish usually in season. South Carolina surf fishing guide
Hilton Head Island is in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. Fishing here covers surf, inlet and marsh water.
Live conditions and daily species ratings for Hilton Head Island are part of Striper Tracker Premium and appear in the card above when unlocked. The seasonal guide on this page is free.
| Species | Usually around | Peak | How anglers fish it | Season source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red drum (surf) | Mar–Nov occasional Dec–Feb | Apr–May, Aug–Nov | Cut mullet in the troughs near inlets. SCDNR notes adults moving offshore in late Oct–Nov set off a burst of good surf fishing. | regional research |
| Red drum (marsh flood tide) | May–Oct | Aug–Oct | Tailing reds on flooded grass during the highest spring-tide floods. The flood height that works is different at every marsh. | SCDNR warm-month data; exact months estimated |
| Whiting / sea mullet | Mar–Nov | Mar–May, Sep–Oct | Shrimp on small hooks in the first trough; spring and early fall are best. | regional research |
| Speckled trout | Sep–Apr | Oct–Nov | Creek mouths and inlets on moving water; live shrimp under a float or soft plastics. | general guidance |
| Black drum | all year | Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov | Fresh shrimp or clams on the bottom near pilings, jetties and inlet edges. | general guidance |
| Sheepshead | Nov–May | Feb–Apr | Fiddler crabs or barnacles tight to pier pilings and jetty rocks; spawning season is late winter–spring. | regional research |
| Spanish mackerel | Apr–Oct | May–Sep | Small spoons or Gotcha plugs from piers on clear, moving water. | regional research |
| Bluefish | Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov | Apr, Oct | Cut bait or metals in the surf during spring and fall migrations. | general guidance |
| Pompano | May–Oct | Jun–Sep | Sand fleas or Fishbites on pompano rigs in the trough. | regional research |
| Sharks | May–Oct | Jun–Sep | Cut bait on heavy surf tackle, mostly at night. Know the regulations and release protected species. | general guidance |
Seasons are regional calendars from published sources, not checked for this exact beach. "Usually around" means the fish is normally present that month; it is not a rating of today's fishing, a catch report or a sighting.
South Carolina surf fishing guide · Full coast map · Surf fishing guides by state