August 13, 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. - Slow due to hot weather, but some whiting and black drum caught with shrimp. Flounder caught with live mullet.

Apache Pier (Myrtle Beach): Pier and bait Shop open 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. Slow due to hot weather, but some spadefish (one pound, six ounces reported) flounder and whiting reported. - 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. Hot weather slowing down fishing, but some pompano caught with 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. Water temperatures are too hot for any fishing.

Surfside Pier: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. It’s hot and the fish aren’t biting very well. Some pompano and a few Spanish mackerel have been reported.

The Pier at Garden City: Pier and tackle shop open 24 hours a day. Hot weather, but fishing is good with some Spanish mackerel caught with gigs. Pompano and whiting caught with shrimp. Spadefish caught around the pilings with shrimp.

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. Some red drum and whiting reported caught.

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. Hit or miss, but some whiting caught with shrimp and a 15-inch flounder reported caught.

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