Porgies (Sparidae)
Pinfish
Lagodon rhomboides
About the pinfish
Pinfish are the most abundant fish around any Grand Strand pier. They're notorious bait stealers that frustrate anglers targeting larger species, but they serve an important role as forage for everything from flounder to king mackerel. Kids love catching them and they make excellent live bait.
- bait fish
- year-round
- beginner friendly
- pier pilings
- abundant
Where to find them
Piers that report pinfish
Season, bait and average size as reported for each pier.
Surfside Pier
Biting- Months
- Year-round
- 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.
Cherry Grove Pier
Biting- Months
- Year-round
- 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.
Second Avenue Pier
Biting- Months
- Year-round
- 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.
Apache Pier
Biting- Months
- Year-round
- 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.
- Months
- Year-round
- 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.
Garden City Pier
Biting- Months
- Year-round
- 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.
Pier 14
Biting- Months
- Year-round
- 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.
Springmaid Pier
Biting- Months
- Year-round
- 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.
South Carolina rules
Keeping pinfish
No specific size or bag limit on file
SCDNR does not list a dedicated rule for Pinfish in our regulations table. General saltwater rules still apply — check the regulations page and confirm before you keep a fish.