Grand Strand fishing: what is open today, piers, landings and reefs
As of Sat., Oct. 31, 2026, 4 of the 5 fish we track on the Grand Strand can be kept today: South Carolina red drum, North Carolina red drum, South Carolina flounder, and black sea bass (through Wed., March 31, 2027). Closed: North Carolina flounder. Anglers 16 and older need a South Carolina saltwater license in Horry and Georgetown counties (from $10 a day for visitors) and a North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License in Brunswick County ($15 for 10 days for visitors). Rules from SCDNR and the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries.
What you can keep today, Sat., Oct. 31
-
Red drum, South Carolina
Open Open year-round -
Red drum, North Carolina
Open Open year-round -
Flounder, South Carolina
Open Open year-round -
Flounder, North Carolina
Closed Closed. The 2027 season has not been announced. -
Black sea bass
Open Open through Wed., March 31, 2027
Season calendar: the next 12 months
| Species | Oct ’26 | Nov | Dec | Jan ’27 | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red drum, South Carolina | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open |
| Red drum, North Carolina | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open |
| Flounder, South Carolina | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open |
| Flounder, North Carolina | Closed | Closed | Closed | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Black sea bass | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | Open | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Open all month"12 d" = open 12 days that monthC&R = catch and release onlyClosed— = not announced yet
Saltwater license prices, SC vs. NC
| License | SC resident | SC nonresident | NC resident | NC nonresident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-day | Not offered | $10 | Not offered | Not offered |
| 7-day | Not offered | $35 | Not offered | Not offered |
| 10-day | Not offered | Not offered | $9 | $15 |
| 14-day | $10 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Annual | $15 | $75 | $20 | $40 |
| 3-year | $45 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
- A South Carolina license does not cover North Carolina waters, and the other way around.
- No license needed: under 16, on a hired charter boat, on a licensed commercial pier (SC) or a pier with a blanket license (NC), and in North Carolina on July 4.
- South Carolina residents 64 and older can buy a $9 Senior Fishing License.
Where to fish
Publicly owned ocean fishing piers
| Pier | County | License on the pier? | Hours | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach State Park pier | Horry | No SC license; daily pier fishing fee | Park 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. March to November, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. December to February | 843-238-5326 |
| Oak Island Pier, 705 Ocean Drive (880 ft) | Brunswick | No NC license; pier pass required | 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily | 910-933-6161 |
Public boat landings and access areas
Horry County (7)
- T. Craig Campbell Landing · 148 Morgan Ave., Little River
- Johnny Causey Landing · 2111 Little River Neck Road, North Myrtle Beach
- Peter Vaught Sr. Landing · 10923 Schultz Way, Myrtle Beach
- Enterprise Landing · 7999 Bay Road, Myrtle Beach
- Socastee Landing and Park · 4299 Peachtree Road, Myrtle Beach
- Rosewood Landing · 4698 Peachwood Court, Myrtle Beach
- Stanley Drive Landing · 292 Stanley Drive, Garden City
Georgetown County (1)
- Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex · 101 River Walk Drive, Georgetown
Brunswick County (8)
- Sunset Beach access area · 101 Sunset Blvd.
- Ocean Isle Beach access area · 67 Causeway Drive
- Brick Landing · 1921 Brick Landing Road SW, Shallotte
- Holden Beach access area · 99 S. Shore Drive
- Sunset Harbor · 356 Riverview Drive SE, Bolivia
- Oak Island access area · 4950 Fish Factory Road SE, Southport
- Rices Creek · 797 Gordon Lewis Drive SE, Winnabow
- Pireway · 9739 Pireway Road NW, Ash
Marked artificial reefs off Myrtle Beach
SCDNR maintains 19 reef sites off the northern South Carolina coast, PA-01 to PA-20. Most are federal Special Management Zones: hand-held hook and line or spearfishing without powerheads only.
| Reef | From inlet | Depth | Buoy GPS | Main structures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA-01 Jim Caudle Reef | 125°, 2.7 nm from Little River Inlet | 30 ft | 33° 48.812' N, 78° 30.514' W | 110-foot dredge barge, concrete cones, reef balls |
| PA-04 Ron McManus Memorial Reef | 211°, 5 nm from Little River Inlet | 35 ft | 33° 46.150' N, 78° 35.900' W | Shrimp trawler sections, 62-foot concrete boat |
| PA-07 Pop Nash Reef | 072°, 9.3 nm from Murrells Inlet | 35 ft | 33° 34.490' N, 78° 51.010' W | Concrete junction boxes, culvert pipes |
| PA-09 Paradise Reef | 105°, 3.2 nm from Murrells Inlet | 35 ft | 33° 31.071' N, 78° 58.140' W | Deck barges, armored personnel carriers, concrete cones |
| PA-11 Pawleys Island Reef | 177°, 5.5 nm from Murrells Inlet | 35 ft | 33° 26.060' N, 79° 00.680' W | Landing craft, personnel carriers, 45-foot tugboat |
| PA-08 Bill Perry Jr. Reef | 181°, 25 nm from Little River Inlet | 65 ft | 33° 25.694' N, 78° 33.201' W | Landing craft, two tugboats, eight NYC subway cars |
| PA-06 (unmarked) | 29.5 nm from Little River Inlet | 95 ft | 33° 21.260' N, 78° 25.479' W | 160-foot ship BP-25, six NYC subway cars |
Anglers, help keep this guide right
- Closed ramp, new pier fee or a rule change? Tell our Outdoors Desk. We check it with the official source and update this guide.
- Fish here every week? Write a monthly fishing report for Grand Strand Dispatch with your own byline. Become a community contributor.
- Captains and guides: claim your charter listing for free to add your trips, hours and photos. Claim your listing.
Fishing charters in Grand Strand
Presented by: this guide has one sponsor spot, and it is open.
Fishing guides from our Outdoors Desk
- Fishing licenses on the Grand Strand: South Carolina vs. North Carolina saltwater rules
- Red drum, flounder and black sea bass limits for Grand Strand anglers in SC and NC
- Public boat landings and fishing piers in Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick counties
- Artificial reefs off Myrtle Beach and Brunswick County: locations and how to fish them
Questions anglers ask
Where can I get coordinates for artificial reefs off Myrtle Beach?
SCDNR posts a free PDF for each reef off northern South Carolina, PA-01 to PA-20, with the buoy and every structure's latitude and longitude, on its Marine Artificial Reef Program website.
How far offshore is Paradise Reef?
Paradise Reef (PA-09) is 3.2 nautical miles from the Murrells Inlet south jetty at 105 degrees, in 35 feet of water, with its buoy at 33° 31.071' N, 78° 58.140' W, according to SCDNR.
Do I need a fishing license on the Oak Island Pier?
No North Carolina fishing license is needed on the Oak Island Pier, but anglers must buy a pier fishing pass, according to the Town of Oak Island. The pier is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Do I need a fishing license at Myrtle Beach State Park pier?
No. Anglers on the Myrtle Beach State Park pier pay a daily pier fishing fee instead, per South Carolina State Parks. A South Carolina saltwater license is required to fish from the park's beach.
Does a South Carolina fishing license work in North Carolina?
No. Anglers 16 and older need a South Carolina saltwater license in SC waters and a North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License in NC coastal waters, such as off Brunswick County.
How much is a one-day fishing license in South Carolina?
A one-day South Carolina saltwater fishing license costs $10 for nonresidents, as of Oct. 30, 2026, per SCDNR. Residents can buy a 14-day saltwater license for $10.
What is the red drum slot limit in South Carolina in 2026?
Since July 1, 2026, South Carolina anglers may keep one red drum per day between 18 and 25 inches total length, with no more than two per boat, under Act 231 of 2026.
Is flounder season open in North Carolina?
No, as of Oct. 30, 2026. North Carolina's 2026 recreational flounder season in coastal and joint waters ran Sept. 1 to 14, with a 15-inch minimum and one fish per person, according to the NC Division of Marine Fisheries.