Myrtle Beach Fishing

Area information, charter captains, reports and more.

  • Fishing Charters
  • Piers
    • Cherry Grove Fishing Pier
    • Pier 14
    • The Pier At Garden City
    • Myrtle Beach State Park Pier
    • Apache Campground Pier
    • Second Avenue Pier
  • Area Fish Species
    • Redfish
    • Flounder
    • Sharks
    • Black Drum
  • Fishing Reports
  • Bait Shops
You are here: Home / Myrtle Beach Area Fish Species / Redfish

Redfish

Redfish (also known as red drum) are one of the area’s several most popular game fish. They can be caught near the shore, inshore and near shore using live bait or a variety of lures and relatively lightweight tackle. If you are interested in trying to catch redfish in Myrtle Beach, our guide shows you an overview of where and how to hook them.

Tips For Catching Redfish

As with any game fish, it helps to understand the diet and habits of redfish. Adults and juveniles feed on or near the bottom. Inshore, juveniles tend to forage near the edge of marsh grasses. Juveniles tend to eat small crabs, minnows, and juvenile spot. Adults mainly feed on small fish, like adult spot, and crabs. Adults tend to congregate on sandy bottoms near beaches, in tidal creeks, and in oyster beds. Juveniles tend to congregate in estuaries, at the edges of marshes, and in shallow tidal creeks.

Rig For Success To Catch Redfish

These aren’t big fish, so serious deep-sea fishing gear is unnecessary and might even make fishing harder. A spinning rod and reel filled with 20-pound test line is good enough. You will also want medium-sized hooks, if using live bait, and an 18-inch wire leader. In live bait, menhaden, mud minnows, pinfish, and anchovies make good live bait. Lures that simulate the look or motion of those common bait fish are also good choices. A 1/4 ounce spoon or a specialty redfish lure like the Rapala Skitter Walk, are good options.

Spots To Fish In Myrtle Beach For Redfish

Several locations and techniques are worth trying out. Sport Fishing Magazine recommends going to a jetty and looking for a drop-off in depth, if you are on a boat with a depth finder. Otherwise trying casting along the jetty. The tops of sandbars also seem to attract redfish. If you can cast to one from the shore or from a boat, the other rules about baits or lures apply. You can also wade in grass flats or drift across them in a shallow boat and wait until you see a redfish in the water. In the grass, go for a soft-body lure rigged to make it snag resistant. Casting around potholes in the seabed or around the edges of marsh grass can work too.

Recommended Tides To Target Redfish

The tides are the most important consideration when going for redfish in Myrtle Beach. We recommend studying local tide tables and planning your fishing accordingly. Otherwise, the fishing is better in spring and summer. Mornings might be better for catching young redfish.

Rules & Regulations On Keeping Redfish In Myrtle Beach

Photo credit: Reel Action Fishing Charters – Captain John Schuchman

As with many fish species, a number of federal and state rules govern the taking of redfish. Anyone who wants to go saltwater fishing in South Carolina must have a saltwater license. No redfish may be caught in federally protected waters. There is a limit of 3 fish per person per day. Finally, state law puts size limits on redfish, as they do with other game fish. Redfish must have a minimum total length of 15 inches and a maximum length of 23 inches to keep. This is commonly referred to as a ‘slot Redfish’ by locals. The larger Redfish over 39″ are referred to as ‘bull Redfish’.

Subscribe For Updates!


Get Social:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Sponsor Message




myrtle beach fishing report

Myrtle Beach Fishing Report

Plan your fishing trip - get information on what's biting in Myrtle Beach. Our Myrtle Beach fishing … View Report

Catch Targeted Species

  • How To Catch Redfish
  • How To Catch Flounder
  • How To Catch Black Drum
  • How To Catch Sharks

About Us

MyrtleBeachFishing.org is your source for fishing charter information, reports and more from a team of local fishing fans. We're your source for the best information on Myrtle Beach fishing. Questions? Feel free to contact us.

Navigation

  • Fishing Charters
  • Myrtle Beach Area Fish Species
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Deep Sea Fishing
  • Bait Shops
  • Fishing Piers
  • Fishing Report
  • Area Information

Get social:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright • © 2023 • MyrtleBeachFishing.org • Site by Click Charters • Privacy Policy