Fishing in Murrells Inlet: Jetties, Piers, Inshore Spots, and Charters

Murrells Inlet Guide

Murrells Inlet is one of the best fishing spots on the South Carolina coast: a tidal estuary of marsh creeks and oyster beds, protected by rock jetties where it meets the ocean. You can catch redfish, flounder, speckled trout, black drum, and sheepshead year-round, with spring and fall the best seasons overall.

You don’t need a boat. Between the jetties, the Garden City Pier, and the public landings, there’s somewhere to fish from shore every day of the year.

What you can catch, and when

Species Best season Where
Flounder Spring through summer Inlet creeks, the jetties, nearshore reefs
Redfish (red drum) Fall, with big schools around the oyster beds Marsh creeks, jetties, bull reds off the beach
Speckled trout Spring and fall, into winter Jetties, deeper creek holes
Black drum Year-round, strong in winter Oyster beds, docks, jetties
Sheepshead Summer Jetty rocks and pilings

Winter tip: December is a sleeper month. Redfish, trout, and black drum all feed in the same cold-water spots, and the bait stealers are gone.

Bait: live shrimp under a float catches almost everything inshore. Mud minnows on a Carolina rig are the classic flounder setup.

Where to fish from shore

  • The jetties at Huntington Beach State Park. The south jetty is one of the best spots in the area for big redfish, flounder, and trout. It’s about a 1.5-mile walk up the beach from the park’s access, so pack light. Park admission applies.
  • The north jetty from Garden City. Fish either side of the long jetty at the south end of Garden City Beach. Surf anglers and boats both work it hard.
  • Garden City Pier. A 625-foot ocean pier at 110 South Waccamaw Drive. Your pier fee covers the license requirement.
  • Veterans Pier on the MarshWalk. An easy spot to drop a line in the inlet, steps from dinner.
  • Morse Park Landing. A public landing on Business 17 with a crabbing dock, kayak launch, picnic tables, and marsh views. It’s also home to the Captain Murrell memorial.

By boat or kayak

  • Public boat ramp: the Murrells Inlet ramp at 4139 Business 17 has three concrete launch lanes.
  • Kayaks: Morse Park Landing is the go-to launch for paddling the creeks. Watch the tide, since low water leaves mudflats.
  • Nearshore reefs: artificial reefs a few miles off the beach hold flounder and other bottom fish in summer.
  • Offshore: charters run out of the inlet for king mackerel, mahi-mahi, and more, depending on the season.
  • Boat storage: at Sunnyside Village, boat storage is right next door, so you can be on the water in minutes.

Charters

If you’re new to the inlet, an inshore charter is the fastest way to learn it. Half-day trips work the creeks and jetties for redfish, trout, and flounder, and most guides supply the license coverage, tackle, and bait. Offshore and headboat trips also leave from the MarshWalk area.

Do you need a fishing license?

Yes. Anyone 16 or older needs a South Carolina saltwater fishing license to fish the inlet, the surf, or the jetties. That includes cast netting and recreational crab traps.

South Carolina resident license Cost
14-day $10
Annual $15
3-year $45

Non-residents pay more; see SCDNR for current prices. You don’t need your own license on a licensed public pier or a licensed charter. Buy online from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, or from local tackle shops. South Carolina also holds free fishing days on Memorial Day and July 4.

Living on the water

At Sunnyside Village you can fish the jetties in the morning, store the boat next door, and walk to the MarshWalk for dinner, where the restaurants serve fish from the same waters.

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FAQ

What fish can you catch in Murrells Inlet? Redfish, flounder, speckled trout, black drum, and sheepshead inshore, plus king mackerel and mahi-mahi offshore.

When is the best time to fish Murrells Inlet? Spring and fall are best overall. Fall brings big schools of redfish, and December is good for redfish, trout, and black drum.

Can you fish Murrells Inlet without a boat? Yes. Fish the jetties at Huntington Beach State Park, the Garden City north jetty, Garden City Pier, Veterans Pier, or Morse Park Landing.

How much is a South Carolina saltwater fishing license? For residents, $15 a year or $10 for 14 days.

Sources