Saltwater Fishing Trends

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The Columbia full-service Licensing and Boat Titling office is now located at:

SCDNR at the State Farmer's Market
326 Little Brooke Lane
West Columbia, SC 29172

The State Farmers Market has convenient parking and easy access to both I-77 and I-26.

These services are no longer offered at 1000 Assembly Street in Downtown Columbia.

North Grand Strand

Inshore: Captain Patrick "Smiley" Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that June should be an excellent month for inshore fishing to the north of Myrtle Beach. Redfish, trout, black drum and more will eat shrimp, and as the mullet get bigger they will become a more consistent bait source for most species. Topwater baits will catch fish early. Mud minnows, menhaden and live finger mullet should catch flounder in the creeks, and a variety of artificial lures will also work. .

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) (843-249-1625) predicts that June will be a good month for a variety of species including whiting, croaker and bluefish off the pier. With clear water Spanish mackerel and kings should show up as they did at the end of May.

Most detailed North Grand Strand Updates

South Grand Strand

Inshore: Captain J Baisch (843-902-0356) also of Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) reports that this month flounder should bite well on mud minnows in the creeks. It should be the beginning of July before finger mullet get big enough to be a consistent bait. Redfish should be caught around oyster beds in the creeks on a variety of baits, and early in the morning there should be some good trout fishing on topwater lures or live shrimp.

Surf and pier: Captain J reports that the pompano fishing got off to an early start and should stay good the whole month of June, and whiting should bite well too. Bluefish should also be caught as well as mackerel.

Nearshore/offshore: Captain J reports that Spanish mackerel fishing should be good off-and-on, and king mackerel fishing should be good in 40-60 feet. Dolphin, blackfin tuna, wahoo and even billfish should all be caught in the bluewater zone this month.

Most detailed Southern Grand Strand Updates

Charleston

Inshore: Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that the summer heat can make for tricky inshore conditions, but early in the morning there should be a topwater bite for both trout and redfish. Both species should also be caught on live bait under a popping cork. Bull redfish will continue to be caught in the harbor this month, and smaller redfish will be in small schools around structure or grasslines. Reds can also be found tailing on big tides. Sheepshead can be caught around most any hard structure on fiddler crabs, and tarpon will arrive this month off the beaches and sandbars.

Nearshore: Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that in June the spadefish bite should be wide open at the nearshore reefs and cobia should also continue to be around. Spanish mackerel and king mackerel will likely both be caught as well.

Most detailed Charleston updates

Edisto Island

Inshore: Captain Ron Davis Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that in June the trout bite will be strong around main river points with mud minnows, shrimp or artificials, and redfish action should improve on the flats as fish start to concentrate on bigger bait. The best fishing for reds will likely be around structure in the creeks. Flounder fishing should remain good with live minnows or mullet, and sheepshead will continue be caught around structure on fiddler crabs. Tarpon should show up off the beaches in June and whiting will be around all month.

Nearshore/ offshore: Spanish mackerel, cobia and spadefish should be thick at the reefs and bottom fish will be catchable in 90-100 feet of water. The dolphin run will eventually fall off but they should be caught well into the month as well as wahoo and tuna.

Most detailed Edisto Island Updates

Beaufort

Inshore: Captain Tuck Scott with Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports that in June tailing redfish should be visible on high flood tides, and they will also be caught on lower tides along grass lines or oysters where they are chasing shrimp. Trout will hold in slightly deeper water as it gets hot, and migratory species like tripletail and jacks should be around. Inshore cobia fishing should continue well into this month because it got off to such a late start this year.

Most detailed Beaufort Updates

Hilton Head

Inshore: Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that it got hot during May, and in June fishing early and late may continue to be more effective. Redfish can be caught around structure on lower stages of the tide, and while on high tide the bite usually gets tough on really high tailing tides the fishing can be excellent. Trout will be caught on topwater lures during the morning and during the day they will move into slightly deeper water and be caught on mud minnows, live shrimp and Trout Tricks.

Well into the month cobia should still be around, and as water temperatures climb tarpon and jacks up to 30 pounds will show up in Port Royal Sound, Calibogue Sound and on the front beaches. Spanish mackerel and bluefish should also be around.

Most detailed Hilton Head Updates