Shark fishing in Myrtle Beach

What swims here

The nearshore waters of the Grand Strand are full of sharks in the warm months. Atlantic sharpnose are the most common small shark and are caught from piers, the surf, and boats; the South Carolina record, 13 pounds 5 ounces, came from Murrells Inlet in 2009, per SCDNR. Blacktip and spinner sharks are the leaping, fast sharks that chase bait along the beaches. Bonnetheads cruise the inlets and marsh. Farther out, anglers catch sandbar, dusky, tiger, bull, and hammerhead sharks, several of which are prohibited to keep.

The legendary fish is the 1,780-pound tiger shark caught at Cherry Grove in 1964, still South Carolina's heaviest saltwater record of any species on SCDNR's list.

Shark trips

Many charters offer nearshore shark trips in summer: a few miles off the beach, chumming and fishing cut bait on heavy tackle, then releasing the sharks boatside. They are short, exciting, and good for families who want a big fish without a Gulf Stream run. See charters.

The rules

Sharks are regulated by both SCDNR in state waters and NOAA Fisheries' Highly Migratory Species division in federal waters. Key points:

• Many species are prohibited, including sandbar and dusky sharks, and must be released.
• Keepable species have size and bag limits, and some have a minimum size that few nearshore sharks reach.
• In federal waters, private boats need an HMS Angling permit with a shark endorsement. Charter boats carry their own permits.
• Federal rules require non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks when fishing for sharks with natural bait in many situations.

Check the state and NOAA rules before you keep any shark.

Release them well

• Keep the shark in the water whenever you can; large sharks should not be lifted.
• Cut the leader close to the hook if you cannot remove it safely; circle hooks usually hook in the jaw.
• Use a dehooker and keep hands away from the mouth.
• Move quickly; long fights and handling stress sharks.

Safety on the beach

Shark bites on the Grand Strand are rare. Do not fish for sharks near swimmers, do not leave bait or fish carcasses in the surf, and follow lifeguard and town rules.