North Myrtle Beach Fishing Report: Inshore, Nearshore, Shark Fishing, Deep Sea, Gulf Stream & Eco Tours
Captain Keith Logan | North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters
Fishing Report for North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Little River, Calabash, Sunset Beach, and Ocean Isle Beach
Mid-August 2026 Update
Fishing around the Grand Strand and southern Brunswick County has been following a strong late-summer pattern over the last two weeks. Hot water, plenty of bait, early morning bite windows, and moving tides have been the biggest factors from the backwaters to the Gulf Stream.
The best overall action has been coming from inshore redfish, flounder, black drum, nearshore Spanish mackerel, shark fishing, and offshore bottom fishing. Gulf Stream trolling has been more scattered, but wahoo, blackfin tuna, and deep-water mahi remain possible when boats can reach the right water.
Inshore Fishing Report
Inshore fishing around North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Calabash, Sunset Beach, and Ocean Isle Beach has been productive, especially for anglers fishing live bait around structure and moving water.
Redfish are holding around creek mouths, docks, ICW banks, oyster bars, marsh edges, and the Little River Inlet area. Many of the smaller reds are feeding on shrimp and finger mullet, while better fish are showing up closer to inlet current, deeper edges, and live-bait areas.
Flounder have been one of the better inshore bites across the region. Live finger mullet, mud minnows, and scented soft plastics have been producing around grass banks, creek mouths, docks, inlets, and nearshore structure. The Ocean Isle and Sunset Beach side has also been seeing strong flounder reports, with fish spread from the backwaters out toward reefs and artificial structure.
Speckled trout are still around, but the best trout action has been early in the morning before the heat settles in. Live shrimp under a cork, topwater plugs at first light, and shrimp floated along deeper grass banks, bridges, shell banks, and jetty edges have been the better patterns.
Black drum and sheepshead are also in the mix around docks, oysters, rocks, and deeper holes. Fresh shrimp, cut shrimp, fiddler crabs, and mud crabs have been good choices depending on the target.
Nearshore Fishing Report
Nearshore fishing has been a good option when the weather allows boats to get outside comfortably. Spanish mackerel are still one of the main targets along the beaches and around nearshore structure. Clean water, bait schools, and early starts have made a big difference.
Trolling spoons behind planers remains one of the most dependable ways to find Spanish mackerel. When fish are feeding on the surface, casting small metal lures can also produce fast action.
The reefs and nearshore structure are also holding a mixed bag of flounder, bluefish, black sea bass, weakfish, and other bottom species. King mackerel have been scattered from the beach out to deeper water, with better reports coming from the 65- to 80-foot range. Cobia are still possible around bait, structure, and offshore edges.
For families, nearshore trips remain one of the best choices because they offer more ocean fishing action than an inshore trip without the long run of a deep sea or Gulf Stream charter.
Shark Fishing Report
Shark fishing continues to be one of the most exciting summer options in the North Myrtle Beach area. Warm water, bait along the beach, and active nearshore feeding areas have kept shark trips productive.
Blacktip sharks, spinner sharks, bonnetheads, Atlantic sharpnose sharks, sandbar sharks, and other seasonal coastal sharks are all possible this time of year. Fresh cut bait, menhaden, mullet, and other natural baits are the best producers.
The best shark fishing has usually been around beaches, inlets, current lines, nearshore structure, and areas where bait is concentrated. These trips are especially popular with families, kids, and groups because the runs are shorter and the action can be steady.
Shark fishing is also a great choice for guests who want a memorable fight without needing to spend a full day offshore.
Deep Sea Fishing Report
Deep sea fishing has been strong on the bottom when sea conditions allow boats to reach offshore structure. The best reports have been coming from ledges, live bottom, artificial reefs, and deeper hard-bottom areas.
Vermilion snapper, black sea bass, triggerfish, gag grouper, amberjack, grunts, porgies, and other reef fish have been in the mix. Reports from the North Myrtle/Little River side show strong bottom fishing in deeper water, with vermilion snapper, sea bass, triggerfish, and gag grouper all being reported.
The Ocean Isle and Holden Beach side is seeing similar offshore structure patterns, with keeper gag grouper, vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and other bottom fish showing from the 85-foot range out to deeper water.
Live menhaden, cut bait, squid, cigar minnows, and bottom rigs have all been useful depending on the depth and species. For anglers who want action and good table fare, deep sea bottom fishing remains one of the better choices right now.
Gulf Stream Fishing Report
Gulf Stream fishing is in a typical late-summer transition. The trolling bite has been more scattered because of very warm water, but the opportunity is still there when boats find the right temperature breaks, weed lines, current edges, and cleaner water.
Wahoo should become a stronger target as we get closer to September. Blackfin tuna are still possible, and mahi can be found, although some of the better mahi action has been farther offshore in deeper water.
Bottom fishing on long-range trips has been more dependable than trolling lately. When conditions line up, Gulf Stream trips can still produce a strong mix of trolling and bottom fishing opportunities, but expectations should match the season. This is big-water fishing, and success depends heavily on weather, water quality, current, temperature breaks, and bait.
For serious anglers looking for the most offshore experience available, Gulf Stream trips remain the top-tier option.
Eco Tours, Waterway Cruises & Bird Island Tours
Eco tours and private waterway cruises have been excellent options for families, couples, and visitors who want a relaxing day on the water without fishing.
The Intracoastal Waterway between North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Calabash, Sunset Beach, and Ocean Isle Beach offers calm-water scenery, marsh edges, waterfront homes, working waterfront areas, birdlife, and chances to see dolphins and other coastal wildlife.
Bird Island is one of the best natural areas in this region. It sits between Sunset Beach, North Carolina, and Little River Inlet, South Carolina, and includes beaches, dunes, marsh, tidal creeks, mud flats, shorebirds, and protected coastal habitat. Depending on tide, weather, and route conditions, Bird Island tours can offer a quiet look at one of the most scenic undeveloped barrier-island areas near North Myrtle Beach.
Eco tours are especially good right now for guests who want a slower-paced trip, wildlife viewing, shelling opportunities, photography, and time on the water without the heat and intensity of a full fishing trip.
Overall Fishing Outlook
The next couple of weeks should continue to provide solid late-summer fishing around North Myrtle Beach and the surrounding area.
Inshore fishing should remain good for redfish, flounder, black drum, sheepshead, and scattered speckled trout. Nearshore fishing should continue producing Spanish mackerel, bluefish, flounder, sea bass, and occasional king mackerel or cobia. Shark fishing should stay strong as long as bait remains active along the beaches and inlets. Deep sea fishing should remain productive on bottom structure, and Gulf Stream trolling should improve as we move closer to the fall wahoo season.
The best advice right now is simple: fish early, fish moving water, use live bait when possible, and stay flexible based on weather and sea conditions.
North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters
Private Inshore, Nearshore, Shark Fishing, Deep Sea, Gulf Stream, Eco Tour, Waterway Cruise & Bird Island Tour Options
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