Ocean Pier Fishing?

[MuntzAngling]

Travelers!

Could use some how-tos on catching fish in the ocean. I'm going to Myrtle Beach this weekend and the family expects a fish dinner (from me!) so I need some pointers.

They rent rod combos there at the pier and beyond that I am an ocean fishing greenhorn. I guess I'll just bring the fishing tools. I hear a license is not needed either. Does that mean I can keep fish too? What could I expect to catch? Any fish to watch out for too?

-(Greenhorn) Minner

[redhooks]

I've never fished myrtle beach but a stop at the local bait shop will probably give the best ideas on rigs and bait. In FLA and TX we used a drop shot style rig w/ multiple hooks and chunks of squid or shrimp and crabs. Night time was fun because many piers had lights on them and that brought various fish in. Circle hooks were great for catching surfcats, whiting and other small species.Some piers were really long and it was nice to have a cooler on wheels for hauling gear and keeping bait and beverages cool-it gets kinda stinky in the sun. Necessities include a knife/board for cutting up bait, a rag for stinky hands, hookouts for funky fish. Many places allow you to use multiple rods and at about 15$/combo per day it might be cheaper to go to wally world or a pawn shop and buy a couple cheap rod/reel combos vs renting each time you want to go fishing. Good Luck!

redhooks

[CJH]

What a great ice fishing post!!

[wahoohendoo]

I fish the MB pier every year.(the one on the southside of town) the technique is mentioned above by REDHOOKS. we have caught lots of variety like small sharks,skates and some redfish even. for table fare we caught speckled trout and flounder with good numbers. hope this helps but it was in march/april.

[alwaysonthemove]

do everything redhooks says and you should be in luck. The only thing I would bring more of is BEER.

[PerchJerker]

The rig being referred to is probably a double-dropper rig -- the weight goes on the bottom, 12-18 inches up is a hook, another 12-18 inches up is another hook. You can get them pre-tied at the baitshops, where the locals call them "tourist rigs". They work great and are simple to use but after my first trip I was tying my own dropper rigs with flourocarbon.

In general shrimp is the best all-around bait. It's cheap and everything will eat it. Live is best, freshly killed is next best, frozen works just fine but is not as good as fresher bait. Other baits like squid and clams and sand fleas are more targeted at certain species ----- and more likely ignored by other species. The local baitshop will let you know what's working.

I've always found the guys in the bait shops and the guys fishing on the beach to be helpful with rigging ideas, how to bait hooks, etc. They're also helpful with the fish you catch (it can be a real mixed bag and you never know what you've got). Some you need to be careful of, catfish and rays and sharks for example. Hardhead catfish are common and their spines will really hurt for a long time if they get you.

If there are whiting around they are willing biters and really good on the table. Redfish are great too, but might be tougher to catch and have a protected slot. Pompano have a minumum size I think. Sea trout are great on the table but are closed part of the year, I think in February. If Spanish Mackeral are around they are very popular. The fish species migrate with the water temperature so you need to time it right for certain species. I have never fished Mrytle Beach, or fished at this time of the year, so unforunately I can't be more helpful.

Hope you have a great trip. I love fishing in the ocean, it's just so different from what we have around here.

[MuntzAngling]

Report from the surf:

I got lucky and rented fishing rods and a net from the people renting our house. Knife and tackle included!

Mullet baitfish all over and figured out how to throw the net out and get bait. bait dies quickly, locals had carts with aerators and rod holders out there. Was at Murrell's Inlet at the rocks and got 2 good size mackerel according to locals, 20 and 24"! Even impressed 87 y o gramma with fish dinner!

Also lost a 15" steel setup bit over the leader, likely shark. Also the mullet came in in half or sucked down to the skull. Tricky bluefish!

Live mullet hooked thru the mouth was the ticket for the mackerel. Those double hook setups were good with 3 oz pyramid sinkers, they stayed in the sand better with all the waves.

Thanks everyone!

[gurkster]

I have been out on a few trips like this, most recently in Florida. Group setting (charter boat). They provide everything and you can keep your catch. Prices were $60 - $120 for a half day depending on species you were going after (basically a backwaters trip or a trip into the gulf). I did 4 hours for $60 and didn't have to worry about anything. Usually not my thing in home waters, but I knew nothing about ocean fishing and we caught several fish. I have been on similar trips in other states in the past too. A good option for travelers in my opinion.

[SapperACE]

Yeah... I'm with you CJH... I'm not getting what this has to do with ice fishing. Maybe he just saw that this forum had the most people veiwing. It has been beating open water for a while now!

[Steelhead7]

Watching the tide charts is also very key to success in the big pond. Weather it's coming or going it seems everything down there keys in on it. Continued good luck down there.