Fishing from a licensed pier or a licensed charter boat? Your SC saltwater license is covered. License rules
MyrtleBeachSCFishing.comA local resource from the publishers of HERE Myrtle Beach
Anglers on a long wooden fishing pier at dusk on the Grand Strand

Myrtle Beach fishing guides

One topic per page, from booking a Gulf Stream trip to rigging a pier rod. Rules come from SCDNR, NOAA Fisheries, and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; trip details come from the local fleets. Each guide lists its sources and the date it was last reviewed. Looking for a particular fish? See Fish species.

Photo: William Redmond · CC BY 3.0

Plan a trip

A charter fishing boat with anglers aboard heading out past a channel marker Types of fishing tripsInshore, nearshore, offshore, or Gulf Stream? How Myrtle Beach fishing charters work, typical prices, what's included, and questions to ask before you book. An Atlantic blue marlin leaping out of the water with its bill in the air Deep sea and Gulf StreamMyrtle Beach deep sea fishing: how far the Gulf Stream is, what you catch, how long trips last, costs, and how to prepare for an offshore day. An angler in a life vest bending a rod while fighting a fish offshore Headboats (party boats)How Myrtle Beach headboats (party boats) work: half-day, full-day, and Gulf Stream trips, what's included, what you catch, costs, and tips for a better day. A winding tidal creek through green salt marsh on the South Carolina coast Inshore fishingInshore fishing on the Grand Strand: Murrells Inlet, Little River, and Georgetown marshes for red drum, flounder, and trout, with seasons, tides, and tips. A gag grouper with its mottled pattern Bottom fishing and reefsBottom fishing off Myrtle Beach: artificial reefs and live bottom, black sea bass, grouper, snapper, triggerfish, required gear, and federal season rules.

Fish from shore

Anglers on a long wooden fishing pier at dusk on the Grand Strand Fishing piersEvery Grand Strand ocean fishing pier, from Cherry Grove and Apache to Springmaid, Surfside, and Garden City: what you catch, license rules, and pier tips. Swimmers and surf along the beach at Myrtle Beach on a sunny day Surf fishingSurf fishing on the Grand Strand: best beaches, what you catch, rigs and bait, tides, beach rules, and the SC license you need to fish from the sand. Sportfishing boats docked at a marina in Murrells Inlet Murrells InletFishing Murrells Inlet, SC: the charter and headboat docks, the jetties, the marsh, Huntington Beach State Park, the boat landing, and what bites each season. Sunrise over the ocean at North Myrtle Beach Little River and North Myrtle BeachFishing Little River and North Myrtle Beach, SC: the inlet and jetties, the waterway, Cherry Grove, fleets and charters, landings, and the NC state line.

Rules and seasons

Fishing rods leaning on a pier railing over blue Myrtle Beach water SC saltwater licenseDo you need a fishing license in Myrtle Beach? SC saltwater license rules for residents and visitors, pier and charter exemptions, fees, and where to buy. A red snapper lying on a wooden dock Size and bag limitsWhere to find current size and bag limits for Myrtle Beach fishing: state vs federal waters, circle hooks, descending devices, and fish you can't keep. Early morning clouds over the ocean at Myrtle Beach Month-by-month calendarMonth-by-month Myrtle Beach fishing calendar: what's biting inshore, on the piers, nearshore, and in the Gulf Stream, January to December. An angler in a life vest bending a rod while fighting a fish offshore Big fish and state recordsSouth Carolina saltwater state records caught from Grand Strand ports: tiger shark, wahoo, amberjack, grouper, red drum, and more, from SCDNR's list. An angler holding up a large king mackerel TournamentsGrand Strand fishing tournaments: the Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament, Rumble in the Jungle king mackerel, the Governor's Cup series, and more.

Before you go

Two anglers launching a boat from a trailer at a boat ramp Boat ramps and inletsPublic boat ramps on the Grand Strand from Little River to Garden City, the Murrells Inlet landing, the three inlets to the ocean, and inlet safety tips. Four fishing lures laid out side by side What to bringPacking checklist for a Myrtle Beach fishing charter, headboat, pier, or surf trip: clothes, sun, food, seasickness, cooler, license, cash for tips, and more. A sportfishing boat running fast across open water toward the fishing grounds SeasicknessHow to avoid seasickness on a Myrtle Beach deep sea or headboat trip: choosing the trip and day, medicine timing, where to stand, and what to do if it hits. An angler in a life vest bending a rod while fighting a fish offshore Tipping and etiquetteHow much to tip the mate on a Myrtle Beach fishing charter or headboat, when and how to pay, fish cleaning, and simple etiquette that makes the day go better. A family fishing from a small boat with a child in a life jacket Family fishingFamily fishing in Myrtle Beach: which trips work for kids, piers vs boats, ages, licenses, what to pack, and tips for a first fish on the Grand Strand.

Regulations, seasons, and limits change. Always check the current SCDNR and NOAA Fisheries rules before you keep a fish.