South Carolina · Grand Strand
BLACK DRUM FISHING
IN MYRTLE BEACH
Myrtle Beach is a solid destination for black drum fishing, with good fishing in April, May. Book a charter and target black drum with local experts.
About Black Drum Fishing in Myrtle Beach
A powerful bottom-feeding species found in bays and passes. Juveniles are excellent table fare.
Black Drum are powerful bottom feeders found throughout Gulf and Atlantic estuaries. Juveniles display 4-5 dark vertical bars on a silver body and are often confused with sheepshead, but lack the prominent teeth. Adults lose the bars and turn uniformly dark gray to black, with large specimens developing a pronounced hump and thick, rubbery lips for crushing oysters and clams. They are the largest member of the drum family.
Scientific name: Pogonias cromis
Black Drum Seasonal Calendar — Myrtle Beach
Month-by-month availability for black drum in Myrtle Beach, SC.
How to Catch Black Drum in Myrtle Beach
Techniques & Bait
Fresh-cut blue crab (halved or quartered) on a heavy Carolina rig is the go-to bait for big drum around passes and jetties. Shrimp, clams, and oysters on bottom rigs work well around structure. For juveniles (10-15 lbs), live shrimp under a cork or on a jighead works great around oyster bars. In Texas and Louisiana, sight-casting to tailing drum on shallow flats with shrimp or crab flies is an incredible experience.
Recommended Tackle
Medium to medium-heavy rod, 4000 reel, 15-20 lb braid, 30 lb fluorocarbon leader for bull drum. Medium-light tackle for juveniles. Circle hooks (4/0-6/0) are recommended for safe release of oversized fish.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Myrtle Beach
Top spots where local captains target black drum and other inshore species.
Murrells Inlet Creek System
The tidal creeks feeding Murrells Inlet south of Myrtle Beach are a top-tier inshore fishery, with miles of oyster-lined banks holding redfish, flounder, and speckled trout. Anglers work the falling tide to intercept fish funneling out of the marsh grass and into deeper channels. The area's consistent bait supply makes it productive year-round, with fall redfish runs drawing anglers from across the Southeast.
Winyah Bay
Winyah Bay is a massive estuary where four rivers converge near Georgetown, offering expansive grass flats and oyster reefs teeming with redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. The mixing of fresh and saltwater creates a nutrient-rich ecosystem that sustains massive schools of baitfish. It is one of the most productive and least-pressured inshore fisheries accessible from the Myrtle Beach area.
Cherry Grove Inlet
Cherry Grove Inlet connects the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway to the ocean at the northern end of the Grand Strand, creating strong tidal flow that concentrates baitfish and gamefish. Flounder, redfish, sheepshead, and black drum stack up around the inlet's rock structure and sand bars. The inlet is particularly productive during tidal changes and is a favorite among wade anglers and kayak fishermen.
Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) Docks
The residential docks and bridge pilings along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway through Myrtle Beach provide excellent structure-fishing opportunities. Sheepshead, flounder, redfish, and speckled trout hold tight to pilings and shadow lines, especially during cooler months. Night fishing under dock lights is a proven technique for landing trophy-sized flounder and trout in this stretch.
Other Species in Myrtle Beach
More fish you can target while visiting Myrtle Beach.
Black Drum Fishing in Myrtle Beach — FAQ
Black Drum fishing in Myrtle Beach is productive during April, May.
Black Drum fishing charters in Myrtle Beach are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Fresh-cut blue crab (halved or quartered) on a heavy Carolina rig is the go-to bait for big drum around passes and jetties. Shrimp, clams, and oysters on bottom rigs work well around structure. For juveniles (10-15 lbs), live shrimp under a cork or on a jighead works great around oyster bars. In Texas and Louisiana, sight-casting to tailing drum on shallow flats with shrimp or crab flies is an incredible experience.
No — when you book a charter in Myrtle Beach, your captain provides all required South Carolina fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Black Drum regulations in South Carolina include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Black Drum in Myrtle Beach, you may also catch Redfish, Sheepshead, King Mackerel, Pompano, Cobia. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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