News Release
May 7, 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. Blues, Spanish mackerel are being taken. Some black drum were also reported on shrimp. - 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. A lot of whiting and a few blues are still being caught. Shrimp, squid and finger mullet are still the popular baits. - 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. Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, trout and whiting are biting a variety of baits.

Surfside Pier: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Whiting are biting shrimp. Spanish mackerel are being caught jigging with gold spoons. Also small blues and whiting are still being taken on shrimp.

The Pier at Garden City: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (starting May 11 open 24-7). Catching whiting and blues on cut shrimp and squid. Nice number of flounder caught on mud minnows. Spanish mackerel biting gold hook jigs. Black drum on shrimp.

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.

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. Flounder caught with minnows and whiting 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