** Archived Article - please check for current information. **

March 20 , 2006

Saltwater Fishing Trends:

Cherry Grove Pier: Cherry Grove Pier: Open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Sunday through March. Slow activity.

Apache Pier (Myrtle Beach North): Pier and bait Shop open 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. seven days a week. Some black drum caught using shrimp and sand crabs. Whiting (in the 3/4 to 1 pound range) caught on shrimp. Sharks and skates also caught.

Springmaid Pier (Myrtle Beach): Pier is open 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week, year-round. Tackle shop open 6 a.m. to 11 pm. Whiting and croaker caught on shrimp.

Myrtle Beach State Park Pier (Myrtle Beach South): Open 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., 7 days a week. Slow activity, but some skates being caught.

Surfside Pier: Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. Whiting and croaker caught on shrimp.

The Pier at Garden City: Pier closed to fishing for construction through March. Tackle shop open business hours.

Winyah Bay Fishing and Observation Pier (Georgetown): Open 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, with free parking and fishing. Visitors also enjoy great bird watching. A Freshwater Fishing License is required due to brackish water. A second fishing pier on Winyah Bay has now opened called Hobcaw Point Observation and Fishing Pier. Mostly crabbing and birdwatching, little fishing activity.

Folly Beach Pier: Open 7 a.m. to 7 a.m. through March with hours 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. starting in April. Whiting and some small black drum caught on shrimp.

Hunting Island State Park Fishing Pier: Pier is open 24 hours a day. The Nature Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues. though Sat. Whiting caught on shrimp. Flounder caught with mud minnows.

Reporters: The S.C. Department of Natural Resources' Marine Resource Division thanks the following participants for their cooperation in compiling this week's report: Cherry Grove Pier, Apache Pier, Springmaid Pier, Myrtle Beach State Park, Surfside Pier, The Pier at Garden City, Winyah Bay Fishing and Observation Pier, Folly Beach Fishing Pier, Hunting Island State Park and Dr. Donald Millus.

For South Carolina marine recreational fishing regulations:

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/pdf/saltfishing.pdf


Visit the Saltwater Fishing License Web site at http://saltwaterfishing.sc.gov