August Myrtle Beach Fishing Report

August Myrtle Beach Fishing Report: Hot Weather, Hotter Bites! ☀️🎣

August in Myrtle Beach brings warm water, active fish, and excellent fishing opportunities both inshore and offshore. While the summer heat can make midday fishing tough, early morning and late evening produce outstanding bites. Offshore, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, and wahoo are biting, while inshore waters offer redfish, trout, and flounder. Whether you’re casting from the pier, fishing the backwaters, or heading into deep waters, this month has plenty to offer.

Inshore Fishing in August

The inshore fishing scene in August remains strong but requires adjustments due to warm water temperatures. Fish are often more active early in the morning, late in the evening, and during tide changes.

Redfish (Red Drum) 🐟

• Where to Find Them:Creek mouths, oyster beds, and shaded dock pilings
• Best Baits:Live shrimp, finger mullet, and soft plastics
• Fishing Tip:Target deeper pockets in creeks and inlets during the hottest part of the day.

Speckled Trout 🎣

• Where to Find Them:Deeper channels, grass lines, and ICW drop-offs
• Best Baits:Topwater plugs (morning), live shrimp, and suspending lures
• Fishing Tip: Fish at dawn or dusk when trout are most active.

Flounder 🥢

• Where to Find Them:Near inlets, sandy drop-offs, and grassy edges
• Best Baits:Mud minnows, finger mullet, and Gulp! Swimming Mullet
• Fishing Tip: Use a slow retrieve with your bait close to the bottom.

Sheepshead 🦴

• Where to Find Them:Bridges, jetties, and rocky structures
• Best Baits:Fiddler crabs, barnacles, and shrimp
• Fishing Tip:Fish tight to pilings with a small hook for the best success.

Black Drum

• Where to Find Them:Deeper channels, oyster beds, and bridge pilings
• Best Baits:Cut crab, fresh shrimp, and clam strips
• Fishing Tip:Lightly weighted rigs work best for black drum feeding near the bottom.

Nearshore & Offshore Fishing in August

August is prime time for offshore fishing, with plenty of large pelagic species around. Nearshore wrecks and reefs are also holding solid numbers of kingfish and cobia.

King Mackerel (Kingfish) 👑

• Where to Find Them:Nearshore reefs, wrecks, and bait pods
• Best Baits:Live menhaden, cigar minnows, and slow-trolled spoons
• Fishing Tip: Troll at 4-6 knots to cover more ground and locate schools.

Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin Fish) 🐬

• Where to Find Them:Weed lines, floating debris, and deep offshore waters
• Best Baits:Rigged ballyhoo, squid, and flashy trolling lures
• Fishing Tip:Look for diving birds as they often signal schools of mahi.

Wahoo ⚡

• Where to Find Them:Gulf Stream ledges and deep temperature breaks
• Best Baits:High-speed trolling lures, rigged ballyhoo
• Fishing Tip:Trolling at 12-16 knots increases your chances of landing a big wahoo.

Cobia 🦈

• Where to Find Them:Nearshore wrecks, buoys, and bait schools
• Best Baits:Live eels, menhaden, and bucktail jigs
• Fishing Tip:Sight fish cobia near floating structure or just beneath bait pods.

Snapper & Grouper 🐠

• Where to Find Them:Deep reefs and wrecks (80+ feet of water)
• Best Baits:Squid, live pinfish, and cut cigar minnows
• Fishing Tip:Use heavier tackle to pull big snapper and grouper from the structure.

 Best Baits & Lures for August Fishing

 August Weather & Water Conditions

• Water Temperature:82-87°F
• Tide Movements:Early morning high tides bring better inshore action
• Wind Conditions: Afternoon sea breezes can kick up waves offshore

 Fishing Regulations & Licensing

Myrtle Beach follows South Carolina saltwater fishing regulations. Here are key rules:

• Redfish:2 per person, 15-23 inches
• Speckled Trout:10 per person, 14 inches minimum
• Flounder:5 per person, 15 inches minimum
• Sheepshead:10 per person, 14 inches minimum
• Black Drum:5 per person, 14-27 inches
• King Mackerel:24-inch fork length minimum
• Mahi-Mahi:No daily limit, but responsible harvesting is encouraged
• Wahoo:No daily limit, minimum size 24 inches fork length

A South Carolina saltwater fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older. Get one online at SCDNR.

 Pro Tips for a Successful August Fishing Trip

✔️ Fish early or late – Avoid the heat and fish when temperatures are cooler.
✔️ Use live bait – Hot summer waters make live bait far more effective.
✔️ Fish deeper water at midday – Deeper areas stay cooler, attracting more fish.
✔️ Pay attention to tides – Rising and falling tides trigger feeding.
✔️ Look for bait schools – Predatory fish follow large schools of baitfish.
✔️ Check for weed lines offshore – Weed patches hold mahi, cobia, and tripletail.

August is a fantastic month for fishing in Myrtle Beach, offering great inshore, nearshore, and offshore opportunities. With plenty of redfish, trout, and flounder inshore, and kingfish, mahi, and wahoo offshore, there’s no shortage of action.

For updated conditions, check local bait shops or online reports. Tight lines, and good luck fishing in August! 🎣🔥