In North Myrtle Beach, every season is fishing season and there’s plenty of fish in the sea, the Intracoastal Waterway, and marshes. Our spot along the southeast coast ensures a variety of species throughout the year making it easy to get hooked any season.
Catch of the Season
In the springtime, the water warms and becomes a hot spot for blue crabs and sea trout and flounder, which start appearing around inlets and off beaches by late March.
The summer brings even warmer water, attracting more variety – from sharks and mackerel to big redfish and black drum. You can still catch flounder and sea trout during peak vacation season. Since the water becomes hot in the middle of the day, it’s best to go fishing in the early morning or late evening, and during low tide cycles. Check out our tide forecast before heading out or planning your fishing excursion.
Cool temperatures in the fall bring out tarpon, sharks, and trophy red drum. Plus, redfish and speckled sea trout, which gather together in shallow waters.
Winters are mild, and bring schools of redfish that chill out in shallow water, meaning you can almost choose which one you’ll reel in. Speckled sea trout are also active this time of year, with afternoons offering the best action.
Test your skills against fellow anglers in one of North Myrtle Beach’s annual fishing tournaments, like the Pier King Mackerel events in June and September or the Rumble in the Jungle each October. Pose with your mega-catch, post it on social media, and claim your crown as king or queen of the NMB shore.
Where to Fish in North Myrtle Beach
When it comes to choosing where to throw in your line, NMB has nearly limitless options, from the pier and deep-sea fishing to offshore, inshore, and surf.
For prime pier fishing, take your place on the Cherry Grove Pier, which features a full-service bait and tackle shop staffed with local experts who can get you started on mastering the pier, which attracts bluefish, red drum, and king mackerel, among other types of fish.
North Myrtle Beach fishing charters take you out to sea and often return with a cooler filled with fresh fish. Experienced captains and crew know where to find the best fishing any time of year. Companies like Calabash Fishing Fleet and Voyager Deep Sea Fishing and Dolphin Cruises have modern fleets and will help both first timers and old pros get to know the waters and bring back memorable catches.
If you’re looking to explore the inland rivers and streams, companies like Captain Smiley Fishing Charters are the way to go. They can help you get your line up close to the best fishing spots.
NMB is also home to public boat landings with easy access to our waterways via a small boat or kayak.
Culinary Catch
Generations upon generations of NMB'ers have grown up catching, preparing, and cooking fish, and you can take part in the tradition back at your beach home or condo rental.
For blue crab, try stuffing them into mushrooms for a delightfully unexpected meal. Speckled sea trout is perfect when pan-fried in a touch of oil and served with capers. If you’ve reeled in a tasty tarpon, the entire family will feast. The filets are cut into portions and are great when seasoned with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Skip the cooking and find delicious sea-to-table cuisine at some of our local seafood restaurants.
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a quiet spot along a riverbed, on a pier, or a boat charter, a fun day of fishing is waiting for you to take the bait any time of year.