2026 South Carolina Recreational Season
October 9th - 22nd
One fish per person, per day
20-inch minimum size
Free red snapper experimental permit and mandatory trip reporting
Red snapper experimental permits will be available on or after October 2nd
About
The South Carolina Red Snapper Project is a state-based angler-driven effort to collect better data on red snapper fishing. This is an experiment that relies on cooperation between SCDNR and anglers to document catch and properly manage this important fishery.
Step 1
Obtain a free red snapper experimental permit on GoOutdoorsSC on or after October 2nd. Anglers must first have a valid SC saltwater fishing license or privilege.
Step 2
After obtaining your permit on GoOutdoorsSC, you will receive an email containing instructions for how to download the free VESL app and create your account.
Step 3
Planning to keep red snapper? Declare your trip in the VESL app. You may declare up to 5 days before a trip. EACH angler planning to keep a red snapper must declare a trip and report their catch.
Step 4
Report your catch on the VESL app within 24 hours of completion. Make sure to hit the "COMPLETE" button after reporting your catch. Once an angler has reported for one trip, they may declare additional trips.
Why Reporting Matters
Your data provides real-time catch and trip information to fisheries managers and reduces the data uncertainty that contributed to short fishing seasons in the past. This exempted fishing permit is an experiment where anglers directly contribute data that helps managers maintain a healthy fishery. South Carolina’s ability to continue this experiment and provide greater fishing access in the following years relies on the cooperation of our anglers.
Gear Requirements for the snapper/grouper fishery
- Descending device rigged and ready with at least 60 feet of line and 16+ oz of weight
- Additionally, anglers fishing under the exempted fishing permit are required to USE their descending device when releasing red snapper that show signs of barotrauma
- Non-offset, non stainless steel circle hooks
- Dehooking tool
- More information is available at Best Fishing Practices - South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
Resources
How to obtain a red snapper experimental permit - Adult
How to obtain a red snapper experimental permit - Youth
How To Use Descending Devices With Return 'Em Right
Return 'Em Right
Return 'Em Right is expanding to the South Atlantic and our anglers can get a SeaQualizer setup for the cost of shipping ($12) now if they complete the online training module.
Get a descending device from Return 'Em Right
Questions? Reach out to us at redsnapper@dnr.sc.gov.
FAQ's
What is the purpose of South Carolina’s exempted fishing permit (EFP)?
An exempted fishing permit allows the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to authorize fishing activity that would otherwise be prohibited for specific purposes; in this case, the EFP is to collect data on recreational red snapper fishing. This EFP was approved to better understand the number of recreational red snapper anglers, their fishing effort, and the number of fish, both kept and released. This information has been difficult to obtain accurately under the current data collection system. The red snapper project is an experiment and the success of that experiment and its ability to continue in the future will rely on the cooperation of our anglers.
Why is SCDNR Law Enforcement checking my boat each time I go fishing for red snapper under the Experimental Fishing Permit (EFP)?
Law enforcement checks are an important part of the Red Snapper Experimental Fishing Permit (EFP) program. SCDNR is responsible for ensuring that participants comply with the EFP terms and conditions and that information collected during the project is accurate and reliable.
Each fishing trip is a separate activity under the EFP; being checked on a previous trip does not exempt a participant from being checked again. You may therefore encounter SCDNR Law Enforcement officers on multiple trips during the project. Participants should keep all required permits, trip information, and licenses readily available while fishing and when returning to the landing.
Partners & Funding
The South Carolina Red Snapper Project is operated by the SCDNR and supported by a grant from Yamaha Rightwaters. Georgia and Florida are collaborating through their own EFP applications.