News Release
April 30, 2007
DNR News (803) 734-3815

Saltwater Fishing Trends

Cherry Grove Pier: Reopens Spring 2007 - no report

Apache Pier (Myrtle Beach): Pier and bait Shop open 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. Black drum, and whiting caught using squid and shrimp. Many bluefish caught using Gotcha plugs. - Check weather and water conditions>>>

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 are biting on shrimp. Spanish mackerel and bluefish hitting gold hook jigs. - 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 red drum caught using shrimp and mullet.

Surfside Pier: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Catch whiting on cut shrimp and a few bluefish on cut mullet. A few small flounder caught on minnows. Spanish mackerel biting gold hook jigs.

The Pier at Garden City: Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. through April. Spanish mackerel biting gold hook jigs. A few bluefish caught on Gotcha plugs, and whiting caught using shrimp and bloodworms.

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. Activity is slow but getting better. A few nice size gars were taken.

Folly Beach Pier: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Many whiting and some small black drum are being caught using shrimp. Spanish mackerel biting Gotcha plugs.

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. Whiting, small black drum and a few flounder are beginning to bite cut bait.

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.sc.gov/regs/pdf/saltfishing.pdf

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