News Release
October 30, 2006
DNR News (803) 734-3950

Saltwater Fishing Trends:

Cherry Grove Pier:Open 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Mon – Thurs; 6 a.m. – 12 midnight Fri-Sat. [Note: closed Nov 6 and reopens April 1, 2007] Slow fishing, but some spots caught with bloodworms. www.cherrygrovepier.com/tour.htm

Apache Pier (Myrtle Beach): Pier and bait Shop open 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. Some pompano and a few whiting, but overall slow fishing. Whiting caught with cut bait. www.campingfriend.com/ApacheFamilyCampground

Springmaid Pier (Myrtle Beach): Pier is open 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week, year-round. Tackle shop open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Slow fishing, but some trout caught with cut mullet. View the pier cam: www.springmaidbeach.com/live-cam.html

Myrtle Beach State Park Pier (Myrtle Beach South): Pier open 6 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week. Tackle shop open 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Far end of the pier some trout caught with cut bait and whiting caught with mullet.

Surfside Pier: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week [Note: Closed Dec  - Feb]. Some trout and whiting being caught with cut shrimp.

The Pier at Garden City: Open 24 hours, seven days a week [Note: Closed Dec. 31 – March]. Spottail caught with bloodworms and artificial bloodworms. Trout caught with cut bait. Whiting caught with cut shrimp and black drum caught with whole shrimp around the pilings. Flounder caught with any live bait www.pieratgardencity.com

Winyah Bay Fishing and Observation Pier (Georgetown): Open 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, with free parking and fishing. Visitors also enjoy great bird watching. A Freshwater Fishing License is required due to brackish water. A second fishing pier is open on Winyah Bay called Hobcaw Point Observation and Fishing Pier. Catfish are always good on cut bait, but otherwise slow fishing.

Folly Beach Pier: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. [Note: Nov hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Dec – Feb 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.]  Slow fishing, but some flounder with mud minnows. Trout and whiting on cut bait.

Hunting Island State Park Fishing Pier: Pier is open 24 hours a day. The Nature Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Redfish caught with mud minnows with some flounder on mud minnows.

Reporters: The S.C. Department of Natural Resources' Marine Resource Division thanks the following participants for their cooperation in compiling this week's report: Cherry Grove Pier, Apache Pier, Springmaid Pier, Myrtle Beach State Park, Surfside Pier, The Pier at Garden City, Winyah Bay Fishing and Observation Pier, Folly Beach Fishing Pier, Hunting Island State Park and Dr. Donald Millus.

- Written by Brett Witt –

For South Carolina marine recreational fishing regulations:

http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/regs/pdf/saltfishing.pdf

Visit the Saltwater Fishing License Web site at http://saltwaterfishing.sc.gov