How to Go Fishing in Myrtle Beach
Between the fishing fleets, piers, ample charter boats and the Intracoastal Waterway, South Carolina's Myrtle Beach is a fantastic spot for saltwater fishing.
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Instructions
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Gone Fishin'
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Decide when to go. Myrtle Beach is a great place to fish for black sea bass, snapper, grouper, larger sea bass, trigger, dolphin and king mackerel. But if you have your eye set on catching a particular fish, visit the website of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, which keeps tabs on which fish you'll find at different times of the year (See Resources).
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Choose where to fish. There are many piers on the ocean that charge no fee and others that charge around $7 for fishing. Some open as early as 6 a.m. and close as late as midnight. Check out funbeaches.com for a good list. Inland waters, including the Intracoastal Waterway, which runs parallel to the Atlantic coast, are another great option.
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Pick a method--on foot or by boat. You can rent a charter boat, operated by one of the local fishermen, which range from large-capacity party boats to private charters. These trips can last a full day or half a day (usually starting around 7 a.m.) and night-fishing expeditions can also be found. If you're going in high tourist season, be aware that charter boats should be reserved up to months in advance.
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Get a license if you need one. If you're fishing on the surf, off the piers or from a rented Myrtle Beach charter boat, you don't need a license. But if you're planning to harvest oysters or clams, or fish for marine finfish from privately owned boats and you're over 16 years old, be advised that Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Licenses are required. Be prepared to pay $11 for a two-week nonresident license ($5 if you're a South Carolina resident) and $3 for an annual non-resident license ($10 for S.C. residents). For more information, go to dnr.sc.gov.
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Tips & Warnings
Fishing in saltwater is a bit different than fishing in freshwater and requires different tools and techniques. You'll need a weight to keep the rig on the ocean floor and a reservoir of fresh water to rinse off your reel after each plunge. Saltwater fishing is more exciting and fast-paced than the freshwater alternative, often resulting in much larger and more frequent catches.
