The Gulf stream is 50 to 75 miles off the Carolina Coast. It is where most charter fishing boats venture. You can fish at most piers all along the North and South Carolina Beaches. Most piers offer bait for sale. Many even rent rods and reels.

South Carolina fishing

You can find a charter fishing boat in South Carolina at Little River and Murrells Inlet on the Grand Strand, Georgetown and Mt. Pleasant near Charleston and Edisto Beach, Beaufort and Hilton Head Island. The best fishing is from March to November. During this time, you can catch Spot-tail bass, bluefish, sheepshead, king and Spanish mackerel, flounder, and Atlantic croaker. From June to October, you can catch Florida pompano surf fishing or from a pier. You can catch Pinfish, kingfish and Spotted sea trout all year round. Fish bait used: shrimp, mullet, sand fleas, cut bait. To catch big game fish like Tuna, sailfish and shark, you will have to charter a boat to the Gulf Stream. You wont need a fishing license to fish off a pier but you will need it to fish elsewhere. Check with Marine Resources of SC (link opens in new window) to be sure you are following state regulations as they may change.

SC Piers

Cherry Grove Pier is located at 3500 N. Ocean Blvd. N Myrtle Beach has a 2 story observation deck, restaurant, bait and tackle rentals. The pier is goes 985 feet into the ocean. Notable Fish caught here: A record Tiger Shark (1780 lbs) and a record 98 lb Tarpon.

North Myrtle Beach has several marinas along the Intracoastal waterway

NC Fishing Piers and Marinas

this is a partial list of fishing piers on the NC coast

Kitty Hawk Pier - open year round - fee charged - area known as the Billfish capital of the world.

Nags Head Fishing Pier - open year round. Fee

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center and Full Service Marina - located 8 miles south of Whalebone Junction on NC 12 at the north end of the Oregon Inlet Bridge in the beautiful Cape Hatteras National Seashore. - book charter fishing boats online

Hatteras Island Fishing Pier located in Rodanthe

Avon Golf and Fishing Pier

Cape Hatteras Pier

Hatteras Landing marina - charter boats to the Gulf Stream

Hatteras Harbor Marina - Gulf Stream fishing catch marlin, sailfish, tuna, dolphin and Wahoo offshore and more.

Anchorage Marina Ocracoke - 18 miles to Gulf Stream catch yellowfin tuna, Wahoo and bluefish.

Morehead City has lots of offshore fishing charters you can find on the waterfront. The Carteret county Tourism bureau has a list of charters and head boats available in the area

Bogue Banks (Atlantic Beach area) has 6 fishing piers.

Top Sail Island - 3 fishing piers on the island.

Wrightsville Beach - recreational fishing fleets, charter and head boats available

More resources for NC fishing information

links open in New Window

Boating and Fishing Access information -  NC fishing regulations, licenses North Carolina wildlife resources Commission,  etc.

Saltwater Sport fishing Restrictions - NC Division of Marine Fisheries, Morehead City NC - size and catch limits, regulations etc. check here if you dont know about NC fishing regulations for the coast

 

North Carolina Coast Fishing Tournaments

There are fishing tournaments held every year along the NC coast. Most require entry fees and registration. Here is a partial list. Please phone before planning a trip as things change from time to time.

May

Wrightsville Beach - 910-256-6550

Cape Fear Open Marlin Tournament

Hatteras

Hatteras Village Offshore Open

Manteo Pirate's Cove Marina (800) 422-3610

Memorial Weekend tournament

June

Morehead City

Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament

Big Rock Lady Angler Tournament

Harkers Island - 252-7282265

Fisherman's Inn Marina Cobia tournament

Hateras - 252-986-2166

Hatteras Harbor Blue Water Open Billfish Tournament

Hatteras - 252-986-2454

Hateras Invitational Marlin Tournament

Manteo Pirate's Cove Marina - 800-422-3610

Cobia Tournament

Southport - 800-457-6964

US Open Pier Fishing Tournament

July

Morehead City - 252-726-8033

Mackerel Tournament

Carolina Beach - 910-458-8434

East Coast Classic King Mackerel Tournament

August

Manteo - (800) 422-3610

Pirate's cove Billfish Tournament

Topsail Beach - 910-329-4446

Offshore Fishing Club King Mackerel Tournament

Atlantic Beach Anchorage Marina - 336-668-2736

North Carolina Ducks Unlimited Billfish Tag and Release Tournament

September

Manteo - (800) 422-3610

Allison White Marlin Release Tournament

Atlantic Beach - 800-545-3940

Atlantic Beach King Mackerel Tournament

Hatteras - 252-986-2379

Hateras Village Surf Fishing Tournament

Nags Head - 252-441-6301

Oregon Inlet Billfish Release Tournament

Southport - 800-457-6964

US Open King Mackerel Tournament

October

Atlantic Beach - 800-622-6278

Atlantic Beach Surf Fishing tournament

Carolina Beach - 910-458-8434

Carolina Beach Surf Fishing Tournament

Morehead City - 252-247-3575

Big Rock Sailfish Challenge

Morehead City - 252-726-3773

Cape Lookout Albacore Festival Radio Island Marina

Nags Head - 252-441-5464

Nags Head Surf Fishing Club Invitation Tournament

Manteo - 800-367-4728

Outer Banks King Mackerel Festival

Southport - 800-457-6964

US Open King Mackerel Tournament

November

Hatteras - 252-995-4253

Cape Hateras Anglers Club