Pier fishing at a glance
- Piers
- Cherry Grove, Apache, Pier 14, Second Avenue, Springmaid, Myrtle Beach State Park, Surfside, Garden City
- License
- Not needed on a licensed public pier; the pier's license covers you
- Cost
- A daily fishing fee set by each pier; many rent rods and sell bait
- Year-round fish
- Whiting, spot, croaker, black drum, red drum, flounder
- Big-fish season
- Kings from the pier ends in late spring and fall; Spanish mackerel and bluefish spring to fall
The piers, north to south
- Cherry Grove Pier, North Myrtle Beach. At the north end of the Grand Strand, near Little River Inlet. South Carolina's state-record tiger shark, 1,780 pounds, was caught at Cherry Grove in 1964, according to SCDNR. A popular king mackerel pier.
- Apache Pier, at Apache Campground on the north end of Myrtle Beach. Long and well known for king mackerel fishing from the end.
- Pier 14, central Myrtle Beach, near the boardwalk, with a restaurant and gift shop.
- Second Avenue Pier, central Myrtle Beach, at 110 North Ocean Boulevard.
- Springmaid Pier, at the Ellie Beach Resort on the south end of Myrtle Beach. NOAA's reference tide station for Myrtle Beach (station 8661070) is named for it.
- Myrtle Beach State Park Pier, inside the state park; park admission applies in addition to the pier fee.
- Surfside Beach Fishing Pier, owned by the Town of Surfside Beach. The town describes it as an 814-foot concrete pier; fishing passes are sold at the pier shop.
- The Pier at Garden City, Garden City Beach, near the north end of Murrells Inlet, with an arcade and restaurant on the pier. Garden City Pier holds two of South Carolina's spot records from 1978, per SCDNR.
Addresses and phone numbers for each are in the directory. Hours, fees, and rentals change by season; call ahead.
What you catch from the piers
- All year (best spring and fall): whiting (sea mullet, Carolina kingfish), spot, croaker, black drum, red drum, and pompano in the surf zone around the pilings.
- Late spring through fall: Spanish mackerel, bluefish, flounder, sheepshead around the pilings, and sharks after dark where allowed.
- King mackerel: caught from the end of the pier by anglers using live bait under a big float or on an anchored "king rig," mainly in late spring and fall. Many piers reserve the end for king fishermen; ask the pier's rules.
How to fish a pier
- Bottom rigs for whiting, spot, and croaker: a two-hook bottom rig with small hooks and 2 to 3 ounces of weight, baited with fresh shrimp, bloodworm substitutes, or cut bait. Cast just past the breakers or drop near the pilings.
- Spanish mackerel and bluefish: cast and retrieve a small shiny spoon or "Gotcha" plug fast, especially early in the morning.
- Flounder and drum: a Carolina rig with a live mud minnow or cut mullet near the pilings.
- Etiquette: cast straight out, not across other lines; keep your area clean; and don't fish directly under the king-fishing lines at the end.
License and limits
Fishing from a licensed public pier means you do not need your own SC saltwater license, SCDNR says. Size and bag limits still apply. Bring a measuring tape. See size and bag limits.
Piers for families
Piers are the best way to introduce kids to fishing: no seasickness, a restroom nearby, bait and rentals on site, and steady action on small fish. See family fishing.
In pictures
Photo credits and licenses · Photos are illustrative, not a specific local boat, business, or catch.
Who you will deal with
NOAA tide predictions: Springmaid Pier (station 8661070)
More offices, with notes, are on the local resources page.
Find local help
Listings come from public records or from the business itself. A listing is not a recommendation.
Common questions
Which Myrtle Beach pier is best for fishing?
It depends on what you want. Cherry Grove and Apache, on the north end, have long been known for king mackerel fishing from the end of the pier. Springmaid, the State Park pier, Surfside, and Garden City are good all-around family piers. Pier 14 and Second Avenue are in the middle of Myrtle Beach and easy to walk to from oceanfront hotels.
Do I need a license to fish a Myrtle Beach pier?
Not on a licensed public pier. Pay the pier's fishing fee and the pier's SCDNR license covers you. Size and bag limits still apply.
Can I just walk on the pier without fishing?
Most piers sell a lower-priced walk-on pass for sightseeing. Prices and rules are set by each pier.
What is the best time to fish a pier?
Early morning and evening, and around the turn of the tide, are usually best. Fall, when baitfish move down the beach, is the best season for most pier fish.
Related guides
Sources
Official sources checked on October 29, 2026.