Saltwater Fishing Trends

Cherry Grove Pier: Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day until March. - Spot activity has slowed to sporadic catches. Whiting caught on cut bait. A few blues are taking cut shrimp and Gotcha plugs.

Apache Pier (Myrtle Beach): Pier and bait Shop open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week until February. Spot activity has slowed to only a few reported catches with bloodworms, redworms or night crawlers. Flounder are biting mud minnows, cut bait and sand fleas. Whiting are biting as well as spotted sea trout. - 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. Spotted sea trout bite is still good with finger mullet. Spot runs have only been occasional with bloodworms or redworms. Whiting are biting well on cut baits. Sharks and skates were also reported. - View the pier cam>>>

Myrtle Beach State Park Pier (Myrtle Beach South): Pier open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week (24/7 if staying onsite). Tackle shop open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A few whiting and sea trout have been caught on bloodworms and minnows or finger mullet.

Surfside Pier: Closed Dec. 1 until February.

The Pier at Garden City: Pier and tackle shop open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (closed for repairs Dec. 3-7). Whiting activity good at the end of the pier. Catches of pompano and croaker with cut baits.

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 activity to report.

Folly Beach Pier: Marina building, fishing pier and Locklear's Restaurant (which leases space inside the marina) closed for repairs until March 2008. Call Charleston County Parks and Recreation at (843) 795-4386 for more information.

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 (Center only closed Jan. – Feb. for repairs). A few spots have been caught along with whiting. Use red worms for the spot and cut bait for the whiting.

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.

South Carolina (PDF file) marine recreational fishing regulations

Visit the Saltwater Fishing License site.