South Carolina · Grand Strand
REDFISH FISHING
IN MYRTLE BEACH
Myrtle Beach is an excellent destination for redfish fishing, with peak season in October, November and good catches in March, April, May. Book a charter and target redfish with local experts.
About Redfish Fishing in Myrtle Beach
Also known as Red Drum, one of the most sought-after inshore gamefish in the Gulf. Known for powerful runs and the distinctive spot on the tail.
Redfish — also called Red Drum — are the most popular inshore gamefish along the Gulf and South Atlantic coasts. They are bronze-copper in color with one or more distinctive black spots near the tail, which scientists believe confuse predators into attacking the wrong end. Juveniles (called "rat reds") are bright gold or copper, while bull reds over 30 inches take on a deeper bronze-red hue with a pronounced hump behind the head. Males and females are visually identical, though females grow larger and are the primary spawners.
Scientific name: Sciaenops ocellatus
Redfish Seasonal Calendar — Myrtle Beach
Month-by-month availability for redfish in Myrtle Beach, SC.
How to Catch Redfish in Myrtle Beach
Techniques & Bait
Live shrimp under a popping cork is the most reliable year-round technique. Soft plastic jigs (gold spoons, paddle-tail swimbaits on 1/4 oz jigheads) worked along oyster bars and grass flat edges are deadly. For trophy bulls in the fall, fresh-cut mullet or blue crab on a Carolina rig fished near passes and jetties is hard to beat. Sight-casting to tailing reds on shallow flats with gold spoons or fly-rod presentations is the pinnacle of the sport.
Recommended Tackle
Medium or medium-light spinning rod (7 ft), 2500-3000 size reel, 10-15 lb braided line, 20 lb fluorocarbon leader. For bull reds: medium-heavy rod, 4000 reel, 20-30 lb braid, 30 lb leader.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Myrtle Beach
Top spots where local captains target redfish 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.
Redfish Fishing in Myrtle Beach — FAQ
The peak months for Redfish fishing in Myrtle Beach are October, November. During these months, Redfish are most active and abundant in the Myrtle Beach area.
Redfish 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.
Live shrimp under a popping cork is the most reliable year-round technique. Soft plastic jigs (gold spoons, paddle-tail swimbaits on 1/4 oz jigheads) worked along oyster bars and grass flat edges are deadly. For trophy bulls in the fall, fresh-cut mullet or blue crab on a Carolina rig fished near passes and jetties is hard to beat. Sight-casting to tailing reds on shallow flats with gold spoons or fly-rod presentations is the pinnacle of the sport.
No — when you book a charter in Myrtle Beach, your captain provides all required South Carolina fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Redfish 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 Redfish in Myrtle Beach, you may also catch King Mackerel, Sheepshead, Pompano, Cobia, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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