Bait guide
What to put on the hook
Every bait that consistently produces from a Grand Strand pier, what it catches, the rig it belongs on and how to keep it fishing.
4 baits
Live bait
Nothing beats something still kicking. Live bait needs an aerated bucket and a light touch on the hook so it swims naturally.
Live Shrimp
live- Red Drum
- Flounder
- Sheepshead
- Whiting
- Rig it on
- Carolina rig with 1/0 circle hook, 18" leader
- Tip
- Hook through the tail for a natural presentation. Keep them in a bucket with an aerator.
- Where to get it
- Available at most pier tackle shops year-round
Fiddler Crabs
live- Sheepshead
- Black Drum
- Rig it on
- Drop shot rig near pilings, 1/0 hook
- Tip
- The go-to bait for sheepshead. Hook through the shell from bottom to top. Fish tight to the pilings.
- Where to get it
- Dig them at low tide in the marsh or buy at bait shops
Live Minnows / Mud Minnows
live- Flounder
- Red Drum
- Bluefish
- Rig it on
- Carolina rig on bottom, 2/0 circle hook
- Tip
- Hook through the lips for casting, through the back for drifting. Flounder love these on the bottom.
- Where to get it
- Available at most Grand Strand bait shops
Sand Fleas (Mole Crabs)
live- Pompano
- Whiting
- Red Drum
- Rig it on
- Double-drop bottom rig with #2 hooks
- Tip
- Rake them from the surf zone at low tide. Hook through the shell. Pompano can't resist them.
- Where to get it
- Catch them yourself in the surf with a sand flea rake
2 baits
Cut bait
Oily chunks that put scent in the water. The workhorse for bottom fishing when the current is moving.
Cut Mullet
cut- Red Drum
- Black Drum
- Bluefish
- King Mackerel
- Rig it on
- Fish-finder rig with 4/0–6/0 circle hook
- Tip
- Cut into 1-2 inch chunks. The oily flesh creates a scent trail that attracts big fish from a distance.
- Where to get it
- Cast net your own or buy frozen at tackle shops
Bloodworms
cut- Spot
- Whiting
- Croaker
- Rig it on
- Double-drop bottom rig with #4–#6 hooks
- Tip
- Thread small pieces onto the hook. A little goes a long way. Great for filling a cooler with panfish.
- Where to get it
- Available at pier tackle shop (refrigerated)
2 baits
Artificial bait
Jigs, plugs and soft plastics. No bucket, no smell, and you cover far more water while you look for a bite.
Gotcha Plugs
artificial- Spanish Mackerel
- Bluefish
- Rig it on
- Cast and retrieve on medium spinning rod, 20lb leader
- Tip
- Cast past the school and retrieve fast with erratic jerks. Pink/white and silver are the top colors on the Grand Strand.
- Where to get it
- Available at any tackle shop, $3–$5 each
Metal Spoons (Hopkins, Kastmaster)
artificial- Spanish Mackerel
- Bluefish
- Pompano
- Rig it on
- Direct tie with snap swivel, fast retrieve
- Tip
- Let it flutter on the fall for extra strikes. Gold works best in murky water, silver in clear.
- Where to get it
- Available everywhere, $4–$8 each
Next step
Bait is half of it
The other half is presenting it where the fish are and tying it on so the knot does not fail at the rail.