DNR News (803) 734-3815

Saltwater Fishing Trends:

Cherry Grove Pier: Reopens April 1, 2007

Apache Pier (Myrtle Beach): Pier and bait Shop open 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. Whiting and trout caught with shrimp.

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. Whiting and spottail all caught with live shrimp. View the pier cam>>>

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. Whiting and blues with cut bait.

Surfside Pier: Closed Dec - Feb.

The Pier at Garden City: Open 24 hours, seven days a week [Note: Closed Dec. 31 – March]. Spottail caught with shrimp and cut mullet. Whiting also caught with shrimp.

Murrells Inlet: November saw some of the best winter trout fishing in years in Murrells Inlet, in both numbers and size. Trout continue to hit in December. Red and white MirrOlures with lip and rattles, Cotee "Reel Shrimp" grubs in green with sparkles, and the Mann's "Rhino Hard Nose" grubs with "motor oil" tails have all been doing the trick on falling tide.

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. Slow activity reported.

Folly Beach Pier: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. [Note: Dec to Feb - 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.] Whiting and blues caught with cut mullet.

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. Slow activity reported.

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.

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