South Carolina boasts a stunning coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and a large number of amazing waterways perfect for fishing enthusiasts of all skill levels.
If you’re searching for the perfect spot to cast your line, the state offers dozens of exceptional fishing piers, from tranquil oceanfront structures to serene inland platforms.
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a novice looking for a memorable fishing experience, South Carolina’s top 10 fishing piers showcase the state’s natural beauty and offer ample opportunities to reel in impressive catches.
List of the 10 Best South Carolina Fishing Piers
- Apache Pier
- Folly Beach Fishing Pier
- Cherry Grove Fishing Pier
- Mount Pleasant Pier
- Surfside Beach Pier
- Garden City Pier
- Hunting Island Pier
- Springmaid Pier
- Pitt Street Bridge
- Isle of Palms Pier
South Carolina Fishing Piers Reviewed
1. Apache Pier
Apache Pier, located in Myrtle Beach, is a fantastic spot for fishing enthusiasts and it’s the longest wooden pier on the East Coast and has nightly live entertainment. Apache Pier offers ample opportunities to catch a variety of species, including flounder, trout, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, and even king mackerel.
Apache Pier is easily accessible through the Apache Campground, though you may have to pay a small access fee for the day. I find the most success when bottom fishing using live or cut baits, but casting artificial lures like spoons or jigs can land a good amount of fish too.
Fishing at Apache Pier is good throughout the day, but the early mornings and evenings are particularly productive, especially when less people are around. Seasonally, you can drop a line into the water from the pier until midnight during the summer, but fall and spring hours are limited.
2. Folly Beach Fishing Pier
Folly Beach Fishing Pier is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike. With stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Folly Beach pier offers not only a serene fishing experience but also opportunities to catch a range of species, including redfish, trout, fluke, drum, sheepshead, and several other species. It also has a gift shop with many pier anglers and visitors say it is worth the visit.
To maximize your chances of success at Folly Beach, try bottom fishing with live or cut bait using Carolina rigs or drop rigs since most of the larger species will stay near the sand. Casting artificial lures like soft plastics or spoons can also yield good results, and sharks will also sometimes target these lures in the area.
For the best fishing results, head out early in the morning or during the late afternoon, especially during incoming or outgoing tides, since larger fish will be more active and willing to strike during this time.
3. Cherry Grove Fishing Pier
Located in North Myrtle Beach, Cherry Grove Fishing Pier is a must-visit pier for anglers seeking a variety of fish species. King mackerel, Spanish mackerel, flounder, red drum, whiting, and trout are commonly targeted here.
Fishing with live baits such as shrimp or mullet is a popular choice among anglers here and will get you some excellent and quick results. If you don’t want to mess with live baits, casting lures like spoons or jigs can be extremely effective when cast further out from the fishing pier or dropped low in the water column.
Early mornings and evenings are prime times to drop a line in the water from this pier, as the tides and fish activity tend to be favorable.
4. Mount Pleasant Pier
The Mount Pleasant Pier offers you a great fishing experience with stunning harbor views of the beautiful Charleston Harbor. Redfish, fluke, trout, sheepshead, whiting, and Spanish mackerel are some of the most common species you can expect to reel in here.
Using live baits such as shrimp or finger mullet works well, as does casting lures like spoons or soft plastics. Bottom fishing with cut baits can also yield good results and is one of my favorite methods in this area.
The best times to fish are during early mornings and evenings, and keep an eye out for incoming tides since they can significantly improve your chances of success along the end of the pier.
5. Surfside Beach Pier
Surfside Beach Pier is a great spot for any east coast anglers wanting a memorable fishing experience with some great photo opportunities. Located right in Surfside Beach, this 814’ long fishing pier offers breathtaking ocean vistas and excellent pier fishing opportunities.
You can expect to catch a variety of fish from the Surfside Beach Pier, including king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, red drum, sheepshead, sea trout, sea bass, snapper, croaker, and more. It’s not uncommon to see and catch sharks, as well as mahi mahi, towards the end of the pier.
Live baits such as shrimp or finger mullet are commonly used at Surfside Beach Pier, and casting spoons, jigs, or soft plastics can yield good results. Bottom fishing with cut baits is another viable option. To make the most of your Surfside pier fishing trip, try early mornings or late afternoons, especially during incoming tides.
6. Garden City Pier
Garden City Pier, located just 8 miles south of Myrtle Beach, is a fantastic destination for anglers seeking a diverse range of fish species. When casting your line from this beach pier, you can expect to catch flounder, trout, black drum, sheepshead, Spanish, and king mackerel.
Many anglers find success at this pier using live bait such as shrimp or mullet, but I have had the best results using spoons or jigs to get the most strikes in the shortest amount of time. Bottom fishing with cut bait is another reliable technique.
For the best chances of success when you visit the pier here in Murrells Inlet, most anglers suggest heading out during early mornings or evenings, especially during incoming tides.
7. Hunting Island Pier
Hunting Island Pier, located within the Hunting Island State Park, is a hidden gem for anglers looking to combine fishing with stunning natural surroundings. With paid park admission, you can access this pier and enjoy a day of angling in a serene environment.
Redfish, trout, flounder, sheepshead, drum, and Spanish mackerel are some of the most common species caught here, but marlin, dolphin, snapper, and grouper can also be caught with the right bait and patience.
Anglers have success with live baits such as shrimp or finger mullet, as well as casting lures like spoons or jigs. The best fishing times are early mornings and evenings, with the incoming tide offering favorable conditions.
8. Springmaid Pier
Springmaid Pier, situated on Ocean Blvd of beautiful Myrtle Beach, is a popular pier fishing spot offering scenic views and great angling opportunities, along with easy access to plenty of tackle shops, rod rental shops, and more.
Most Myrtle Beach anglers I have talked with say they often reel in Spanish and king mackerel, fluke, red drum, trout, and sheepshead from this 1,060’ long wooden pier. Live baits such as shrimp, finger mullet, or mud minnows are commonly used, and casting lures like spoons or jigs can also be effective.
Bottom fishing with cut bait, bloodworms, or sand fleas is another reliable technique. For artificial lures, consider using something like Billy Bay shrimp which are sold in every tackle shop in the area. For the best chances of success, head out during early mornings and late afternoons, particularly during incoming tides.
9. Pitt Street Bridge
The Pitt Street Bridge in Mount Pleasant offers a unique fishing experience along the Cooper River. While not a traditional pier, it provides pedestrian access to the river and opportunities to catch various fish species.
Redfish, flounder, bluefish, black drum, sea trout, and mackerel are commonly targeted here. Many anglers also bring a cast net and can bring in decent numbers of shrimp and crab.
You’ll most likely have success by casting artificial lures like soft plastics, spoons, or jigs in the early mornings or evenings. Live bait, such as shrimp or finger mullet, can also get good results, particularly during incoming or outgoing tides.
10. Isle of Palms Pier
The Isle of Palms Pier is a fantastic destination that offers a very pretty setting for anglers to enjoy the day. With its serene surroundings and accessible public access, this pier is a popular spot for anglers of all skill levels.
You can expect to catch a variety of fish species at this pier, including redfish, trout, flounder, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, tarpon, crevalle, and pompano. It’s also very common to see a few species of sharks and potentially even haul one in, depending on your bait.
Most of the success here is with bottom fishing using cut or live bait such as shrimp and mullet. But don’t be afraid to toss in a jig or spoon since they get great results with most of the species mentioned, especially during changing tides during the morning hours.
