Pawleys Island Pier
Arrogantly shabby since 1726
- Pawleys Island, SC 29585
- Free (beach access)
Surf fishing only, no standing pier
6 species logged
What's biting at Pawleys Island Pier
2 species are in peak season here. Everything else is listed below in the order you are likely to run into it.
Peak season
2Running now. These are the fish worth building a trip around this month.
Red Drum (Redfish)
Sciaenops ocellatus
- Best bait
- Live shrimp, cut mullet
- Average size
- 18–27 in
- Pier record
- 75 lbs (SC state)
The most sought-after species on the pier. Look for them near the pilings during incoming tide.
Flounder
Paralichthys dentatus
- Best bait
- Live minnows, mud minnows
- Average size
- 14–20 in
- Pier record
- 20+ lbs
Best caught on bottom rigs near the pier structure. Incoming tide is prime time.
Biting
3Around and catchable, but not the main event. Expect to work for them.
Whiting (Kingfish)
Menticirrhus spp.
- Best bait
- Shrimp, bloodworms
- Average size
- 10–14 in
- Pier record
- 3 lbs
Reliable year-round catch. Great eating fish and perfect for beginners.
Bluefish
Pomatomus saltatrix
- Best bait
- Cut bait, spoons
- Average size
- 12–24 in
- Pier record
- 31 lbs
Aggressive feeders that hit hard. Use a wire leader to prevent bite-offs.
Spot
Leiostomus xanthurus
- Best bait
- Bloodworms, shrimp bits
- Average size
- 6–10 in
- Pier record
- 2 lbs
Arrive in huge schools in fall. Excellent pan fish and great fun for kids.
Slow
1Present in small numbers or well outside their run. Treat one as a bonus.
Pompano
Trachinotus carolinus
- Best bait
- Sand fleas, shrimp
- Average size
- 12–16 in
- Pier record
- 8.5 lbs
Highly prized for their flavor. Found in the surf zone near the pier base.
How this list is put together
Seasons and records here are what Pawleys Island Pier and regular anglers report — they are not a survey. A fish listed as slow can still show up in numbers on the right tide. Before you keep anything, check the size and bag limits, and see the species directory for full profiles.