Bluegills as live bait in SC

**striperfishing** · 08-17-2020, 09:53 AM

This was the exact conclusion I came to, as long as it was caught with a hooked worm on a fishing pole. Thanks for all the input. I take it the game warden may have misinterpreted the regulations. In fact, I messaged the game warden too, and they initially sent me to section 50-13-665 and 675 to show that bream was only allowed as cut bait for non-game fish. I told them to look at section 50-13-10 under "live baits" where bream was also included in that section as live bait. They seemed dumbfounded, and said that they will contact the fisheries coordinator for clarification. From reading all the posts here, it seems we all agree that the regulation does state that bream (except for red breast) are allowed as live or dead bait when fishing for game fish. I'm not sure why the SC game warden couldn't come to the same conclusion, but I am waiting for the inland fisheries coordinator's response back on this issue.

**Fullthrottle** · 08-20-2020, 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by gabowman

Back when I jug fished (30 years ago) I was told that no live bait could be used for catfishing in SC.....and that meant bream. The laws could have changed since then but it used to be illegal to use a bream as bait other than as cutbait. ANY gamefish in Ga can be used as cutbait for catfish as long as you don't exceed the limit on those game fish. Live gamefish can also be used. When I'm crappie fishing I always save some smaller crappie to use as cutbait when I know I'm going catfishing.

You can use game fish in NC for catfish as cut bait, but you have to have the intact carcass. That way if you are checked, they know it was a legal fish.

**striperfishing** · 08-20-2020, 12:43 PM

Code of Laws - Title 50 - Chapter 13 - Protection Of Fish

That's the link to the SC statehouse law on freshwater fishing. In section 50-13-10 under (B) Miscellaneous definitions in (1) Live Baits: It states that bream (except for red breast) is legal under the live bait section. It looks like this section 50-13-10 was amended in 2013, so this law could be new to most people.

**gabowman** · 08-20-2020, 03:25 PM

Didn't know goldfish were legal. I will have to check the Ga laws on that too.

**Eatmorecrappie** · 08-20-2020, 05:09 PM

Ray does it say if you have to catch them in the same body of water that you are going to use them in? Thanks

Originally Posted by SeaRay

According to the current regulations bream may be used as bait but must be caught with hook and line (page 18 of rules and regs under " Methods and Devices")

Sent from my VS501 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

**SeaRay** · 08-20-2020, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Eatmorecrappie

Ray does it say if you have to catch them in the same body of water that you are going to use them in? Thanks

Sent from my VS501 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Don't think it was addressed.

**striperfishing** · 08-20-2020, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by SeaRay

Don't think it was addressed.

You're correct. It didn't address whether the bream has to be caught in the same body of water. It does require that the fish is already established in that body of water. So, I think the regulation says that you just can't introduce bream to a body of water that didn't have it before

**uncle remus** · 08-21-2020, 07:55 AM

how does a game warden know what kind of fish you trying to catch?

**SeaRay** · 08-21-2020, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by uncle remus

how does a game warden know what kind of fish you trying to catch?

Especially me! I'm trying to catch anything that will bite. Even I don't know what I'm fishing for.

**gabowman** · 08-21-2020, 11:40 AM

Well, I guess if they ask you then you can tell 'em what youre fishing for. And if you haven't caught anything like me then youre legal anyway. HA!

Thread: Bluegills as live bait in SC

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