Rather be fishing? A guide to fishing the Myrtle Beach area from pier, surf and shore

This summer, thousands of fishermen will leave their boats and favorite fishing holes behind to vacation in Myrtle Beach. If you’re an avid angler, no matter how much fun you are having at all the Grand Strands best tourist attractions, at some point, you are bound to ask yourself, “Is it really a vacation if I’m not fishing?”

The Grand Strand consists of a chain of beaches stretching almost 60 miles from Little River to Pawley’s Island, a crescent-shaped area known as ‘Long Bay’ on most nautical maps. This shoreline is broken only by small saltwater inlets that form inshore bays. These salt marshes are a haven for dozens of salty fish species just waiting for a well-pitched bait.

What you need to know about saltwater fishing in Myrtle Beach

The very first thing to know about fishing South Carolina’s beaches and marshes from shore is that a Saltwater Fishing License is absolutely required unless you are fishing from a licensed pier or guides boat.

South Carolina residents can purchase a 14-day saltwater license for $10. Non-residents will want either the 1-day $10 license or 7-day license for $35. All of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources licenses are available on their website.

Saltwater fishes tend to be toothy and sharp-finned, so never try to lip a salty fish like you would a largemouth bass or you’ll risk coming away with bloody digits.

Finally, the Myrtle Beach coast experiences big tide fluctuations, up to six feet, twice a day, which keep the bait and the fish moving and changes the terrain.

Watch where you walk. Carolina “pluff mud” is known for sucking off boots and oyster reefs make for nasty cuts. So, check the tide chart for your destination before you go and wear appropriate footwear.

Choose one of these six area piers to get started.

The Carolina coast holds a seasonal migration of many different species, from the diminutive but tasty Pompano to the drag-ripping King Mackerel.

Heading to one of the seven piers open to the public is the easiest way to get started fishing in Myrtle Beach since S.C. a recreational fishing license is not required when fishing from area piers.

Pier bait shops can provide everything you need to get started from rod/reel rentals, to bait, advice on what’s biting, and a sense of camaraderie from fellow anglers.

Catches vary by season but regularly include Flounder, Sea Trout, Red & Black Drum, Whiting, Spanish Mackerel, Croaker and Pompano.

Construction of Surfside Beach pier is coming along. Here’s what to know

Hit the surf for everything that swims.

The Myrtle Beach area has long been a popular place for surf fishing. Anglers line quieter sections of beaches with rod holders driven into the sand heaving 2-5oz of pyramid weights on bottom rigs baited with cut shrimp, squid, live or cut mullet, sand fleas or crab.

No one wants to hook a swimmer so be sure to set up away from the crowds. The City of Myrtle Beach gives swimmers the right-of-way, forbidding fishing with fifty feet and from in front of rental umbrellas, but regulations vary by municipality so if in doubt, ask your nearest lifeguard. Specifically targeting sharks is not allowed by Horry County or in any if it’s municipalities.

Surf fishing is often best in the early morning or late evening when it’s generally less crowded, allowing both angler and fish to avoid the oppressive heat of the day. Species visitors are likely to catch vary by season. southern kingfish aka whiting, pompano, blue fish, spanish mackeral, flounder, weakfish and red drum are common catches in the surf.

Anglers need a long enough rod to cast past the waves, heavy enough weight to hold their baits on bottom and the right rig and bait for the target species. Bait shop expertise is the best way to learn this style of fishing. Most local shops have a surf fishing expert on hand willing to help newcomers get on the fish. The state Department of Natural Resources hold fishing clinics and provide a wealth of info on their website.

Look to the inlets for hot inshore action.

Saltwater marshes and estuaries along the Carolina coast team with marine life such as oysters, crabs, shrimp and baitfish which are a major draw for many targeted fish species such as Redfish, Flounder, Spotted Sea Trout, Black Drum and Spanish Mackerel.

Many fishers can be seen along roads and causeways casting into the creek. A quick look at Google Earth will give the visiting angler and idea of where these marshes can be easily accessed by foot being careful of the aforementioned oysters and pfluff mud. Here are a few popular areas in the Myrtle Beach area to get you started.

Vereen Memorial Gardens 2250 SC-179, Little River, SC 29566 is an Horry County park with boardwalks across the marsh leading to a few hundred yards of Intracoastal Waterway shoreline with a pier jutting into the waterway. The shore is gently sloping crushed oyster shell that is easy to walk and wade.

Cherry Grove Park and Boat Ramp 413 53rd Avenue North in North Myrtle Beach is on Hog Inlet has a public pier and fishing spots along the seawall. The spot is popular with boaters and kayakers. Parking is $3 per hour. A saltwater fishing license is required.

There are other popular places to access the inlet in the Cherry Grove area. The rip-rap lined Lake Drive at 39th Ave. North in North Myrtle Beach follows the edge of House Creek. There is also good wading area at “The Point” where Hog Inlet flows between sandbars into the ocean. Keep in mind that much of the point is covered during high tide. The nearest public parking to Cherry Grove Point is at 6202 North Ocean Boulevard in North Myrtle Beach.

Garden City Beach Atlantic Avenue Causeway, the main road crossing to Garden City Beach, has a boardwalk down the North side with steps down to the oyster bars and mud flats.

Veteran’s Pier at the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk is a convenient area to fish and crab as well as to grab a bite to eat or a beverage from one of the many area bars and restaurants.

Oyster Landing Drive is a tucked away spot behind Huntington Beach State Park for collecting all the prizes of the marsh. This is a large area of mudflat and oyster reef that goes nearly dry at low tide and is often used to launch small boats and kayaks. If you go, be careful to park above the high tide line.

Murrells Inlet South Jetty at Huntington Beach State Park is a favorite spot for anglers that are willing to take the long walk with their gear to get there. This rock jetty juts almost 500 yards into the Atlantic ocean and serves as the break water for boats navigating into the inlet and it has a convenient black-top surface for foot traffic, bikes and fishing carts. Everything that swims in our ocean passes through here so it provides ample opportunity for big catches. But, be careful crawling over the rocks that are sharp with barnacles and slick with marine growth. The entrance fee Huntington Beach State Park is $8 per person and a 1.5 mile walk up the beach from the northernmost parking area so pack light.

Pawleys Island has limited parking near both the North and South causeways onto the island and anglers can often be seen casting into the creeks from the bridges. But, the easiest way to access the water here is at the South Point parking on the southernmost tip of the island. It’s a free lot and fishers have their choice of fishing the surf or the sandy shoreline on the inside of the inlet.

Get rigged right. Ask a local.

Inland anglers will find that many of the rods, rigs and techniques for freshwater fishing will also work in our inshore fisheries so bring your bass tackle. Weighted jig heads with soft plastics, and spoons and many of the same hard plugs are effective artificial baits in our marshes.

The most popular rigs for fishing bait are the “Carolina Rig” and the “Double Dropper Rig.”

Pier and surf fishers will likely want longer and heavier rods to deal with waves and current.

Bass Pro Shops, located at 10177 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, is a shopping mecca for every angler, but it’s always best to stop by the nearest local bait shop to find out what’s biting, and how to rig for it.

That local knowledge can turn day of fishing into a day of catching.

Here are some local bait stores that will help you get on the fish.

Stalvey’s Bait & Tackle: 1609 4th Avenue, Conway. 843-488-2715

Baishe Boys Bait and Tackle: 4298 US-17 BUS, Murrells Inlet. 843-651-191

Perry’s Bait and Tackle: 3965 US-17 BUS, Murrells Inlet. 843-651-2895

Pawley’s Island Outdoors: 9790 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island. 843-979-4666

Fish-On Outfitters: 800 Sea Mountain Hwy, North Myrtle Beach. 843-249-2600

Boulineau’s Ace Hardware: 318 Sea Mountain Hwy, North Myrtle Beach. 843-663-6920