7/30/2007

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

Saltwater Fishing Trends

Cherry Grove Pier: Open Sun through Thurs 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Fri and Sat 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. - Pompano, red and black drum are biting live or cut shrimp or mullet. Spadefish are being caught around the pilings with shrimp. Flounder are biting live minnows.

Apache Pier (Myrtle Beach): Pier and bait Shop open 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. Sheepshead are biting fiddler crabs, also blues are biting jigged 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. Some nice king and Spanish mackerel have been reported. Blues have also been reported biting fresh 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. Spots are biting bloodworms. Also blues and whiting are biting cut shrimp.

Surfside Pier: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Catching whiting on cut shrimp. Spanish mackerel caught by jigging with gold spoons. Pompano are biting live or cut shrimp.

The Pier at Garden City: Pier and tackle shop open 24 hours a day. Spanish mackerel, small whiting and pompano are biting 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. 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. No fishing activity to report. Visitors also enjoy great bird watching.

Folly Beach Pier: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Whiting and flounder are being caught on cut bait and live minnows in shallow water. Some nice blues, pompano and trout are being found in deeper areas. Plenty of baitfish are around.

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 are being caught on mud minnows. Whiting are biting live and cut shrimp. Plenty of sheepshead using fiddler crabs.

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