03/26/2025Myrtle Beach is a premier fishing destination, providing many exciting opportunities for kids, families and avid anglers to wet a line. This beautiful coastal area offers peaceful pier fishing, convenient shoreline fishing and deep-sea excursions on private charters to satisfy any seasoned angler or casual vacationer. Myrtle Beach’s abundant fishing spots, knowledgeable local guides and excellent accommodations put anyone’s dream catch within reach.
Sea Crest provides the perfect home base for any fisherman. This oceanfront property features some of the best accommodations around, and its location near the Boardwalk keeps you within close reach of easy entertainment, including the best local fishing spots. After a day on the water, you’ll appreciate unwinding in a comfortable suite or relaxing at the beach bar or pool with a cool drink.
Use this guide to the ultimate Myrtle Beach fishing trip to explore top fishing spots and plan your stay at Sea Crest Resort, located just steps from the surf.
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With 60 miles of shoreline and countless inlets and waterways, it’s not surprising that Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a standout location for fishing. Local fishing piers, like Apache and Cherry Grove, offer convenient equipment rentals so you can get set up and casting easily, and the area’s charters and deep-sea excursions provide full-service fishing trips for Grand Strand visitors. The area’s two state parks, Myrtle Beach and Huntington Beach, are destinations for surf fishing, and Murrells Inlet and Waccamaw River are local waterways that afford vacationers unique fishing experiences. Whether you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime catch or a day of plentiful casting, you’ll find many opportunities for fishing Myrtle Beach waters:
Myrtle Beach is home to seven oceanfront piers that offer fabulous views, some restaurants and entertainment, plus excellent fishing. Many also feature bait shops so you can rent your rod and reel and get your tackle all in one spot. Anglers hitting the piers in South Carolina don’t need a fishing license, so you’ll have one less thing to worry about. This is the most convenient way to fish the ocean and it’s fun for all skill levels, plus you can reel in a monster catch more affordably than a charter. (Even non-anglers enjoy walking the area’s piers to savor the views or watch an exciting catch). Here are a few of our top picks for pier fishing in Myrtle Beach:
Shore fishing is the easiest and least expensive fishing experience around Myrtle Beach. This area is lined with beachfronts to fish from, and when you stay on the oceanfront, you can fit an hour or two of angling into any itinerary. You can use your equipment from home, rent fishing rods from local piers, or look into the loaner program from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
Some of the best places to shore fish are Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park, but if you don’t want to pay admission fees, look for local beaches without lifeguards. Myrtle Beach restricts fishing on lifeguarded shorelines until the evening hours, but the beaches from 50th Avenue to 38th Avenue are often not guarded and open for surf fishing anytime (just keep adequate, 50-foot separation from swimmers). Those over 16 will need a saltwater fishing license to fish the Myrtle Beach shoreline.
Myrtle Beach’s many waterways offer plentiful fresh and saltwater fishing opportunities to land the catch of your dreams. These waterways also afford fabulous wildlife viewing for dolphins and other marine life, making your trip as scenic as it is exciting.
The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a popular channel for anyone looking for calmer inshore waters with a mix of fresh and saltwater opportunities. The depth, docks and creek mouths of the ICW attract a variety of fish species, including red drum and speckled trout. Follow the ICW from the Little River Inlet to the Waccamaw River, Socastee Creek and Winyah Bay for an unbelievable fishing experience and a full day of adventure. The Waccamaw River is a scenic, successful spot for anglers wishing to hook bass or crappie.
Inland fishing charters are great for all ages and skill levels, and the guides can put you right where you need to be to have a successful time. If you’d rather go out on your own, Myrtle Beach watersports companies also offer hourly kayak rentals. Explore these waterways and cast a line undetected while enjoying a scenic day on the area’s best backwaters.
The options for Myrtle Beach fishing charters are nearly endless, and you can select from deep sea, offshore and private inshore excursions. These outfitters provide seamless access to the ocean and convenience—your equipment, tackle and licenses are included. Though charters are often more expensive than pier or shoreline fishing, they also afford more opportunities to land an unforgettable catch.
If you’ve dreamt of catching a marlin, shark or tarpon, consider a deep-sea outing with any of these popular local fleets:
This fishing charter has been a staple of the Myrtle Beach fishing scene since 1948, helping countless families, kids and fishing buddies enjoy unforgettable moments on the water. The Hurricane Fishing Fleet offers a variety of specialty and Gulf Stream fishing trips for kids and adult anglers. If you’re looking for a classic head boat trip, this outfit is it. Hurricane Fishing Fleet is located in Calabash, North Carolina, 30 miles from Sea Crest but just minutes from the ocean, so you’ll be casting in no time.
For open-boat, public fishing trips in the Grand Strand, consider Voyager Deep Sea Fishing. This outfit is located about 20 miles from Sea Crest Resort in North Myrtle Beach and provides many types of tours. Select from traditional half-day fishing trips, 24-hour Gulf Stream trips and night shark fishing to create your ideal angling excursion.
This fishing charter company has been hosting fun days on the water for 30 years. Families and couples can select a private ½-day or ¾-day adventure and customize it to create a dream fishing trip. This outfitter offers Gulf Stream trolling, bottom trolling and shark fishing in public and private boats. Little River Fishing Fleet is located about 15 miles from Sea Crest Resort.
This company offers private fishing charters, and kids 11 and under are free. This fleet goes nearshore, inshore and in the backwaters, and it customizes the trip to your exact needs. Because boats aren’t shared, you’ll want to book Reel Action Fishing Charter in advance (no deposit required).
This charter specializes in deep sea offshore and inshore private charters in Myrtle Beach, Little River, and North Myrtle Beach. Select from ½-day trips, 14-hour Gulf Stream trips, shark fishing and trolling. Fish Hook Charters offers shared or private charters with only six anglers per trip.
The best time to fish in Myrtle Beach can vary for any angler, depending on what they want to catch. If you’re planning your dream fishing trip, make sure those fish are biting before you arrive. Here’s what you can expect to catch based on the season:
While you may be excited to cast a line, make sure you understand South Carolina’s fishing license requirements and regulations first! You’ll need to know how you’re fishing (on a pier, charter or shoreline), where you’re fishing (fresh or saltwater or federal and state waters), and what species you’re targeting to determine limits and other guidelines. Here is some information to get you started:
Whether you’re fishing from a pier or from the shoreline, the best tackle shops for all your rental gear are the local fishing piers. Second Ave Pier is less than a mile up the shore from Sea Crest Resort, and Springmaid Pier is only two miles down the shore. Not only are these stocked with everything you’ll need for a successful day on the water, but the employees have heard every fish story and seen incredible catches — they’re invaluable resources for what’s biting and what tackle is optimal for certain species.
They can also guide you on which bait is best for the species you’re targeting, but here are some tips:
Whether you plan to pier fish or rent a charter boat, it’s imperative that you research what to expect before you arrive. Consider waterproof and sun-protective clothing so you’re comfortable in any weather, and double-check that you have the right fishing license for your plans. Stay aware of fishing regulations and limits to respect the marine life of this area and avoid costly penalties.
Here are some additional answers to frequently asked questions about Myrtle Beach fishing trips:
The fish biting depends on the season but generally, inshore fishing is best for red drum, black drum, and speckled sea trout, while deep-sea excursions offer opportunities to catch larger fish, such as sharks and tarpon.
Fish come closer to the shoreline as the water warms, so spring (March to May) is often regarded as the best time to fish in Myrtle Beach. Summer brings in tropical and seasonal species that you won’t catch year-round.
Myrtle Beach’s milder weather in the spring and fall are excellent for shore fishing, keeping the angler comfortable while still providing a wide variety of fish species to target.
Sea Captain’s House is one of the best seafood restaurants in Myrtle Beach. For an all-you-can-eat experience, try Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant, a staple of the Grand Strand serving crab legs and all the fixings. If you’re catching and releasing or don’t feel like cooking after a long day out on the water, Myrtle Beach offers plenty of excellent seafood restaurants serving fresh, delectable dishes - some with an ocean view.
Now that you have insights into the Myrtle Beach fishing scene, it’s time to plan your trip. The abundant waterways, inlets, shoreline, fishing piers, and charters make it easy to create a dream vacation. Whether you’re looking for all-day fishing trips or a few casual outings, Sea Crest puts you in the heart of endless angling opportunities.
Sea Crest’s prime oceanfront location is just steps from the water and minutes from any fishing spot you desire. Stop by the Beach Java Café for a cup of joe on your way out in the morning. When you’re back from a day on the water, the resort’s relaxing amenities await. Bring the family along or a group of your fishing pals — our accommodations suit singles, couples and groups. Local charters and piers make fishing with kids and inexperienced anglers easy, and anyone who doesn’t fish can hang back at the resort and enjoy the pools, water park and endless oceanfront.
What are you waiting for? Book your stay at Sea Crest early to arrive when the fishing is best.