By Captain Keith Logan, founder of North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters
Updated September 24, 2026
Red snapper from a past North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters trip. Photo provided by Captain Keith Logan.
South Carolina’s 2026 red snapper season runs October 9–22 for eligible participants in the state’s Exempted Fishing Permit program. North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters is offering private, eight-hour red snapper trips for $1,500 for up to six guests, with a larger-boat option for groups of up to 12.
For anglers planning a Myrtle Beach fishing trip this October, the first step is choosing the correct dates and departure state. South Carolina’s extended opening and North Carolina’s three-day federal opening have different requirements. Here is what to know before reserving your trip.
Check red snapper availability: Call 843-907-0064 or text our team with your preferred date and number of guests.
October red snapper dates at a glance
| Fishery or program | 2026 harvest dates | Who the dates apply to |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina EFP | October 9–22 | Eligible registered private anglers and participating charter operations |
| Georgia and Atlantic Florida EFPs | October 9–22 | Eligible participants under each state’s program and requirements |
| Federal recreational opening, including North Carolina | October 9–11 | Anglers fishing under the federal recreational season |
The federal opening begins at 12:01 a.m. local time on October 9 and ends at 12:01 a.m. on October 12. October 12 is the closure date, not an additional fishing day. North Carolina’s announced season allows one red snapper per person daily with no minimum size.
For our South Carolina EFP trips, the applicable limit is one red snapper per person per day, with a 20-inch minimum size. Participants must follow their EFP conditions; they cannot add a separate federal-season allowance to their EFP allowance.
See the NOAA Fisheries season announcement, South Carolina Red Snapper Project, and North Carolina season information for the applicable rules.
Our eight hour red snapper charter prices
Red snapper deep sea fishing with North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters
These private trips give your group an eight-hour day offshore, including the boat ride to and from the fishing grounds. The charter rate is $1,500 for one through six guests.
For larger groups, our multi-passenger option starts at the same $1,500 for the first six guests. Each additional guest is $100, up to a maximum of 12 people on the appropriate vessel.
| Guests | Eight-hour charter rate |
|---|---|
| 1–6 | $1,500 |
| 7 | $1,600 |
| 8 | $1,700 |
| 9 | $1,800 |
| 10 | $1,900 |
| 11 | $2,000 |
| 12 | $2,100 |
For example, six guests splitting the base charter rate pay $250 each. A group of 12 splitting the $2,100 rate pays $175 each. These are examples of sharing a private charter’s cost, not individual tickets. Ask about any booking or payment fees when reserving; gratuity is separate.
Tell us your full passenger count when you contact us so we can match the reservation to the correct boat. Your booking confirmation will provide the meeting location and departure time.
What to expect offshore
Red snapper trips focus on bottom fishing around offshore structure. The captain selects fishing areas and tackle according to the conditions, current, and fish activity that day. An eight-hour charter includes travel time, tackle preparation, fishing, and the return to the dock; it does not mean eight hours with lines in the water.
The crew will explain the tackle and help guests work their baits near the bottom. Staying aware of nearby lines and following instructions when a fish reaches the boat helps the crew handle fish efficiently.
Other offshore species may be encountered during the trip. What we can target or keep depends on the species, conditions, and rules in effect that day. A red snapper charter offers the opportunity to fish during an authorized harvest window; no particular catch, fish size, or filled limit is guaranteed.
Learn more about the fishing style on our Myrtle Beach deep sea fishing page. The prices above apply specifically to this October red snapper offering.
What is included and what to bring
A seated angler supporting a large red snapper aboard a North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charter boat.
Our charter provides the captain, boat, fuel, rods, reels, bait, tackle, required safety equipment, applicable fishing-license coverage, and cleaning of legal fish retained during the trip.
Bring food and drinking water for a full day, sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, shoes with secure footing, and a light wind or rain layer. Keep valuables protected from spray and bring suitable containers to take cleaned fish home.
If someone in your party is new to offshore fishing, tell us before booking. Eight hours on the ocean is a substantial outing, especially for younger children or anyone sensitive to boat motion. We can help you decide whether the trip fits your group.
How the South Carolina permit program works
An Exempted Fishing Permit, or EFP, authorizes eligible participants to fish under specific research and reporting conditions. South Carolina’s program pairs additional harvest opportunities with better information about recreational fishing effort and catch.
According to SCDNR’s charter passenger guidance, guests on a for-hire trip aboard a vessel carrying the experimental harvest permit do not need separate experimental permits or individual trip reports. The captain reports for the passengers. Private-boat anglers have their own registration and reporting responsibilities.
Trips under a state’s EFP must begin and end at a landing location in that same state. Our October 9–22 South Carolina EFP trips therefore begin and end in South Carolina. Guests staying in Calabash, Sunset Beach, or Ocean Isle Beach can contact us about a South Carolina departure; a North Carolina departure does not automatically qualify for the longer season.
Responsible release is part of this program. South Carolina requires a descending device to be used when releasing red snapper that show signs of barotrauma, the pressure-related injury that can occur when a fish is brought up from depth. Follow the captain’s instructions so released fish can be returned appropriately.
Why the 2026 announcements changed
Earlier in 2026, NOAA issued permits to four South Atlantic states, including North Carolina. Those permits were later rescinded following a court injunction. The new permits for South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida were modified to address that decision. Earlier summer calendars should not be used to plan this October trip.
The new state EFP harvest allocations are 8,695 fish for South Carolina, 4,859 for Georgia, and 83,720 for Florida. These are program-wide allocations, not individual or boat limits. NOAA projected that the allocations would support a 14-day period. The project is intended to improve data collection while keeping harvest and discards within sustainable levels.
NOAA’s state data collection and management information explains the supporting analysis.
Frequently asked questions
When can I book a red snapper charter near Myrtle Beach?
Our South Carolina EFP red snapper trips are offered for October 9–22, 2026, subject to vessel availability, safe offshore conditions, and the rules in effect for the trip.
How much does a full day red snapper charter cost?
The eight-hour charter is $1,500 for up to six guests. On the multi-passenger option, add $100 for each guest beyond six, up to 12 total. A 10-person group is $1,900; a 12-person group is $2,100.
Is the boat private for our group?
Yes. The six-person and multi-passenger options are private charters for the group making the reservation.
Do charter guests need their own red snapper permit?
On an eligible South Carolina for-hire vessel carrying the experimental harvest permit, the captain handles reporting for the passengers. Guests do not need separate experimental harvest permits or individual trip reports for that charter.
Are North Carolina red snapper dates the same?
No. North Carolina’s announced federal recreational harvest days are October 9, 10, and 11, 2026. The season closes at 12:01 a.m. October 12. South Carolina’s longer October 9–22 opening applies to eligible EFP participants.
Can we fish for other species?
Other offshore fishing opportunities may be part of the day when conditions and regulations allow. Discuss your interests when booking so the captain understands your group’s priorities.
Will there be another red snapper season in December?
A December 2026 reopening is possible but has not been confirmed. NOAA and the participating states will review October harvest data and other information before deciding whether another opening is available.
What happens if the weather is unsuitable?
The captain evaluates the offshore forecast and sea conditions. If conditions prevent the planned trip, our team will explain the options under your reservation’s weather policy. An open fishing season does not guarantee a safe departure every day.
Red Snapper Charters Serving Myrtle Beach and Nearby Carolina Beaches
A large red snapper caught on a full day deep sea fishing charter in north myrtle beach
North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters welcomes anglers from Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, along with Calabash, Sunset Beach, and Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. Whether you live nearby or are visiting the Carolina coast, our private, eight-hour red snapper trips give your group a full day offshore.
Our October 9–22, 2026 red snapper trips depart from and return to South Carolina under the state’s Exempted Fishing Permit program. Guests staying in North Carolina can join us at the South Carolina departure location confirmed with their reservation.
When booking, tell us where you are staying, your preferred fishing date, and your group size. We will confirm the appropriate boat, meeting location, and departure time.
Call or text 843-907-0064 to check red snapper charter availability.
Plan your October fishing trip
Red snapper deep sea fishing with North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters
North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters has operated locally since 1991. Our founder, Captain Keith Logan, brings more than 40 years of Carolina fishing experience, and our captain team matches guests with an appropriate boat and trip.
For this red snapper season, send us your preferred October 9–22 date, total guest count, and any questions about a full day offshore. We will confirm the available boat, departure arrangements, and reservation details.
Call 843-907-0064 or text North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters to check October red snapper charter availability.
Season information was checked September 24, 2026. Official notices and the rules applicable on the trip date govern harvest.