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Bield:Fish
Single-species migration calendar

Tarpon in South Carolina Coast may fishing.

Megalops atlanticusMigratoryFair

Spring migration building.

Year-round calendar

Each month encodes typical migration status. The current month is outlined in gold. Tap a cell for the month-specific note and water temperature.

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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Absent Fish wintering south. Typical water temp: 56–64°FFeb — Absent Same. Typical water temp: 58–66°FMar — Absent Migration not yet north. Typical water temp: 64–72°FApr — Possible Earliest fish arriving from FL. Typical water temp: 70–76°FPossibleMay — Fair Spring migration building. Typical water temp: 74–80°FFairJun — Good Tarpon arriving in numbers — beach migration. Typical water temp: 78–84°FGoodJul — Peak Peak summer tarpon — schools on beaches and in inlets. Typical water temp: 82–86°FPeakAug — Peak Same — best month for tarpon in SE/Lowcountry. Typical water temp: 82–88°FPeakSep — Good Fall migration south begins. Typical water temp: 78–84°FGoodOct — Fair Fish departing south. Typical water temp: 72–78°FFairNov — Possible Last stragglers. Typical water temp: 64–70°FPossibleDec — Absent Departed. Typical water temp: 58–64°F

Migration pattern

Tarpon migrate north along the SE Atlantic each spring, reaching SC and GA by May–June and peaking July–August. Fall departure September–October. Beaches and inlet mouths are primary holding areas during migration.

Best locations

  • Charleston Harbor jetties
  • Bulls Bay
  • Murrells Inlet
  • Port Royal Sound

Top lures

  • Live threadfin herring
  • Live mullet
  • Crab patterns (palolo hatch)
  • Live pinfish
  • Soft plastic eel
Verify with current conditions

Migration timing varies year to year. Cross-reference NOAA marine forecasts and a local source the week of your trip.

Tarpon in other regions

Get a notification when tarpon show up.

Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data and water temperature readings to species arrival windows so you're on the water the day they arrive in South Carolina Coast.

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