I’ve been checked by many DNR officers on Murray and they have all been polite, reasonable and even helpful. I highly doubt any of them would give you a hard time for helping out your 8 year old land fish.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
I will help my 5 year old reel in all of his stripers until he gets strong enough to bring them in solo. If I get ticketed both of us will show up to plead our case to the judge. I highly doubt anyone will get cited for helping kids fish. Saying you reeled in 5 and have to just sit down and hands off is just stupid. No other species in the SC fishery is put under that much scrutiny. Even the poor old endangered BSB and ARS.
DNR did address the assisting the child scenario and in their words they do NOT want to discourage bringing kids out and introducing them to fishing. If the child needs assistance they aren’t going to bust your chops.