Myrtle Beach State Park Pier
Fish in a maritime forest setting
- 4401 S Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575
- 750 ft
- $5/day (+ park admission)
- Official site
18 species logged
What's biting at Myrtle Beach State Park Pier
4 species are in peak season here. Everything else is listed below in the order you are likely to run into it.
Peak season
4Running 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.
Spanish Mackerel
Scomberomorus maculatus
- Best bait
- Gotcha plugs, spoons
- Average size
- 12–20 in
- Pier record
- 13 lbs (SC state)
Fast-moving schools pass the pier in spring and fall. Cast metal spoons for best results.
Atlantic Spadefish
Chaetodipterus faber
- Best bait
- Jellyfish, clam strips
- Average size
- 10–18 in
- Pier record
- 14 lbs
School in large numbers around pilings in summer. Picky eaters but incredible action once you figure them out.
Biting
10Around 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.
Sheepshead
Archosargus probatocephalus
- Best bait
- Fiddler crabs, barnacles
- Average size
- 12–18 in
- Pier record
- 21 lbs (SC state)
Found around pier pilings feeding on barnacles. Tricky to hook, so set the hook fast.
Black Drum
Pogonias cromis
- Best bait
- Shrimp, clams, crab
- Average size
- 14–30 in
- Pier record
- 113 lbs
Larger specimens found near the pier base. Use heavy tackle for big bulls.
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.
Ladyfish
Elops saurus
- Best bait
- Gotcha plugs, small spoons
- Average size
- 12–24 in
- Pier record
- 6 lbs
Acrobatic fighters that leap repeatedly. Not great eating but tons of fun and excellent live bait.
Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
- Best bait
- Cut bluefish, cut mullet
- Average size
- 3–5 ft
- Pier record
- 271 lbs
Most common shark from piers. Most piers prohibit targeting them, but they take baits meant for other species.
Bonito (Little Tunny)
Euthynnus alletteratus
- Best bait
- Metal spoons, Gotcha plugs
- Average size
- 8–15 lbs
- Pier record
- 35 lbs
Speedsters that rip past piers during spring and fall. Hit like a freight train.
Pinfish
Lagodon rhomboides
- Best bait
- Tiny shrimp, bread, sabiki rigs
- Average size
- 4–8 in
- Pier record
- 3.5 lbs
Most abundant pier fish. Notorious bait stealers but great live bait and fun for kids.
Atlantic Stingray
Hypanus sabinus
- Best bait
- Shrimp, cut bait on bottom
- Average size
- 8–14 in disc
- Pier record
- 11 lbs
Common bottom catch. Handle with care due to venomous tail barb. Most are released.
Slow
4Present in small numbers or well outside their run. Treat one as a bonus.
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Scomberomorus cavalla
- Best bait
- Live bluefish, live menhaden
- Average size
- 20–40 in
- Pier record
- 93 lbs (SC state)
The trophy catch of pier fishing. Requires heavy tackle and live bait. Best at the pier's end.
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.
Jack Crevalle
Caranx hippos
- Best bait
- Large spoons, topwater plugs
- Average size
- 10–25 lbs
- Pier record
- 57 lbs
Brute-force fighters that chase baitfish schools. Not great eating but incredible fight.
Tripletail
Lobotes surinamensis
- Best bait
- Live shrimp, small live fish
- Average size
- 14–24 in
- Pier record
- 42 lbs
Float sideways near pilings mimicking debris. Premium eating, often compared to grouper.
How this list is put together
Seasons and records here are what Myrtle Beach State Park 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.