If you’re visiting Myrtle Beach or living in Horry County and want to fish without a boat, good news — you have more options than most people realize. South Carolina has an enormous amount of publicly accessible fishing water, and the Grand Strand area is loaded with productive ponds, piers, and bank access points that most tourists and even some locals never find.
Here are the best fishing spots within reach of Myrtle Beach that require nothing more than a rod, some tackle, and a valid SC fishing license.
First — Get Your License Sorted
Before you fish anywhere in South Carolina, you need a valid freshwater fishing license for pond and lake fishing, or a saltwater license for pier and surf fishing. You can buy one online in minutes at the SC Department of Natural Resources website (dnr.sc.gov) or at any Walmart, Bass Pro, or local tackle shop in the area. A 14-day freshwater license for non-residents runs about $11 — well worth it to avoid a hefty fine.
Public Piers — Saltwater Without a Boat
The Grand Strand has several public fishing piers that put you over the Atlantic with no boat required. These are among the most productive saltwater fishing options in the area for tourists and locals alike.
Apache Pier (Myrtle Beach) — one of the longest wooden piers on the East Coast at over 1,200 feet. You’re fishing in deeper water with access to flounder, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel in season, sheepshead around the pilings, and whatever’s running. Daily pier fishing fees apply. Rental rods available if you don’t have gear.
Second Avenue Pier (Myrtle Beach) — shorter and more central, this pier is a good option for casual pier fishing right in the heart of Myrtle Beach. Spot, croaker, and whiting are common catches along with pompano in warmer months.
Surfside Pier (Surfside Beach) — quieter and less touristy than the Myrtle Beach piers. Good flounder fishing around the pilings and solid action for a variety of species spring through fall.
Cherry Grove Pier (North Myrtle Beach) — solid reputation for king mackerel and Spanish mackerel action from late spring through fall. The surrounding area also has good surf fishing access.
Freshwater — Ponds and Lakes in Horry County
This is where bank anglers really have opportunities most people overlook. Horry County has hundreds of ponds — many of them on public land or with public road access — holding good populations of largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish.
Horry County public pond access — the SC DNR maintains a list of public fishing lakes and ponds accessible to anyone with a valid license. Several in Horry County are within easy driving distance of Myrtle Beach and offer genuine bank access. Check dnr.sc.gov/fish for the current public fishing areas map.
Conway area canals and drainage ditches — the network of agricultural canals around Conway holds surprisingly good bass and catfish populations. Many of these run alongside public roads and are legally accessible. Ask at local bait shops in Conway for current hotspots — locals know which canals are holding fish.
Waccamaw River access points — the Waccamaw River runs through Horry County and has multiple public boat ramps with bank fishing access. Bass, crappie, and catfish are common. The river’s cypress-lined banks are classic South Carolina freshwater habitat.
Lake Busbee (Aynor area) — a small public lake in Horry County with good bass and bream populations. Bank access is available and it’s an easy drive from Myrtle Beach.
Retention Ponds — The Overlooked Option
This is the honest local tip most guides won’t tell you: the retention ponds in subdivisions and commercial developments around the Myrtle Beach area hold surprisingly large bass and crappie. Many of these ponds receive minimal fishing pressure, get regular rain-driven forage, and grow fish fast.
The catch is access — you need permission from the HOA or property management. But many subdivisions allow residents and their guests to fish the retention ponds. If you’re staying in a rental near Myrtle Beach, ask your host or the HOA. You’d be surprised how many of these ponds nobody ever fishes despite holding quality fish.
Surf Fishing — No Pier Needed
The entire Grand Strand coastline is open for surf fishing with a saltwater license. You don’t need a pier — a rod and reel, a fish finder rig with fresh shrimp or cut bait, and a spot on the beach will catch pompano, whiting, bluefish, and flounder depending on the season.
Early morning and evening are the most productive times. The beach areas north of Myrtle Beach toward Cherry Grove tend to be less crowded with tourists and more productive for serious surf fishing. Pompano runs in April–May and again in September–October are a local highlight that visiting anglers often miss entirely.
Quick Reference — Fishing Spots by Target Species
| Target Species | Best Location Type | Best Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | County ponds, Conway canals, Waccamaw River banks | Spring (spawn) and Fall |
| Crappie | Docked ponds, cypress areas, Waccamaw River | Feb–April, October–November |
| Bluegill/Bream | Any pond with structure, near grass | Spring through Fall |
| Catfish | Deeper ponds, canals, river banks | Summer evenings, year round |
| Flounder | Pier pilings, inlets, surf | May–October |
| Pompano | Surf fishing, beach | April–May, September–October |
| Spanish Mackerel | Apache Pier, Cherry Grove Pier | May–October |
Local Tip — Talk to the Bait Shops
The single best source of current local fishing information in the Myrtle Beach area is the local tackle shops. Stop into any of the smaller independent bait shops in Conway, Loris, or the back roads around Horry County and just ask what’s biting and where. These folks fish locally, know the seasonal patterns cold, and are almost always willing to point a genuine angler in the right direction. That conversation is worth more than any article you’ll read online including this one.
Know a great bank fishing spot near Myrtle Beach we didn’t mention? Drop it in the comments — we’d love to add it to the guide.