Topwater fishing is one of the most electrifying ways to chase redfish and speckled trout along the Grand Strand, and nowhere delivers that heart-stopping surface strike quite like North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters. There’s nothing quite like watching a redfish erupt out of skinny water to crush a walking bait, and that single visual is exactly why so many anglers become obsessed with fishing on top. In the guide below, we’ll walk you through every detail of topwater fishing in Myrtle Beach — from gear and lure selection to the exact hookset technique that keeps more fish pinned — so you leave with everything you need for your next trip.
Topwater Fishing in Myrtle Beach: An Angler’s Dream
Myrtle Beach sits at a sweet spot on the Carolina coast where warm tidal creeks, oyster-lined flats, and grassy marsh edges all converge. As a result, baitfish stack up in predictable spots, and predators like redfish and trout key in on the surface to feed. Specifically, this geography is what makes topwater fishing here so consistently productive compared to other stretches of coastline.
Furthermore, the shallow, clear water around North Myrtle Beach means strikes are often visible before you even feel them. In particular, watching a wake form behind a walking bait and then explode is an experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season. If you’re new to the sport, our beginner’s guide to fishing techniques is a great companion read before you hit the water.
Expert Guides for a Memorable Topwater Experience
Our experienced guides know the best spots to catch redfish and speckled sea trout on topwater in Myrtle Beach. They’ll take you to the best locations and give you tips and tricks to help you land the big one, rather than leaving you to guess at tide charts and water color on your own.
Our local guides are knowledgeable about the habits and behavior of these inshore fish, so you can be sure that you’re in good hands. Above all, they’ll work with you to build the perfect topwater fishing trip, whether you’re a seasoned pro or picking up a rod for the first time. Consequently, even first-timers walk away with real surface-strike experience rather than a generic boat ride.
Top-Quality Gear for Successful Topwater Strikes
At North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters, we provide top-quality equipment to ensure a successful fishing trip. We use high-quality rods, reels, and lures that are specifically designed for catching redfish and trout on topwater.
Our equipment is regularly maintained and updated to ensure that you have the best chance of catching a trophy fish. In addition, we provide a variety of bait and tackle options to suit your needs and preferences, because no single lure works every single day on the water.
Topwater Fishing Gear Checklist
- Rod: a 7-foot medium-action spinning rod with a soft tip, which helps you avoid pulling the lure away from a striking fish.
- Reel: a 2500–3000 size spinning reel with a smooth drag for handling sudden redfish runs.
- Line: 15–20 lb braided line for long casts and solid hooksets with minimal stretch.
- Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon leader to stay nearly invisible in clear shallow water.
- Lure box: a mix of walkers, poppers, and prop baits in both natural and chartreuse patterns.
- Pliers and polarized sunglasses: for safe hook removal and for spotting fish and wakes before they strike.
Best Time of Day and Season to Fish Topwater Lures
Redfish and trout are known to be active feeders during the early morning and late afternoon hours. These times of day are perfect for topwater fishing, as the fish are more likely to strike at the lure when light levels are low and baitfish activity peaks near the surface. For a deeper walkthrough, see our FISH IN MYRTLE BEACH — NEARSHORE FISH SPECIES GUIDE.
In addition, the best time of year to catch redfish and trout on topwater fishing in Myrtle Beach is during the spring and fall months. During this time, the water temperature begins to cool, and the inshore fish species become more active. According to NOAA Fisheries, red drum activity shifts seasonally with water temperature, which lines up closely with what our guides see on the water every week.
Tide stage matters just as much as the clock. Specifically, the last two hours of an incoming tide tend to push baitfish onto shallow flats, and that’s exactly when topwater strikes peak. In contrast, slack tide periods, when water barely moves, often produce the slowest topwater action of the day.
Choosing the Right Topwater Lure: Poppers, Walkers & Prop Baits
Not every topwater lure behaves the same way, so matching lure style to conditions matters more than most anglers realize. Below is a breakdown of the three core categories you’ll want in your box.
- Walking baits (“walk the dog” style): cigar-shaped lures that zig-zag across the surface, ideal for calm, clear water where fish can key in on subtle side-to-side movement.
- Poppers: cupped-face lures that spit water with each twitch, which works especially well in slightly choppy or stained water because the splash draws attention from farther away.
- Prop baits: lures with spinning blades at the nose or tail that churn the surface, useful for covering wide flats quickly when you need a louder presentation.
As a general rule, natural baitfish patterns such as silver, white, and bone work best on sunny days in clear water. Chartreuse and bright orange, however, perform better in low light or when the water carries extra sediment after a rain. Similarly, matching lure size to the baitfish present — whether that’s spot or finger mullet — often matters more than color alone.
Topwater Techniques That Trigger Explosive Strikes
Topwater fishing requires a different technique than other types of fishing. The key is to make the lure look like a natural prey item that the fish will want to strike, rather than something foreign skating across the surface.
Walk-the-Dog Retrieve
This technique uses a slow, steady retrieve with occasional twitches of the rod tip to create a natural, side-to-side swimming motion. Therefore, keep your rod tip low and pointed at the water so each twitch translates directly into lure movement instead of slack line.
Pop-and-Pause Technique
With a popper, a sharp downward flick of the rod makes the cupped face spit water, imitating a wounded baitfish. Afterward, pause for a full one or two seconds — this pause is frequently when the strike actually happens, since predators often hit a stationary target rather than a moving one.
Stop-and-Go Retrieve
Another technique is to use a stop-and-go retrieve, where you pause the lure for a few seconds before starting to retrieve again. Consequently, this irregular rhythm mimics an injured baitfish and often triggers reaction strikes from trout holding near grass edges.
How to Set the Hook on a Topwater Strike (Step-by-Step)
Missing a topwater strike is painfully common, mostly because anglers react to the splash instead of the fish. Follow these four steps to convert more blowups into solid hookups.
- Wait for the full strike. Resist the urge to set the hook the instant you see a splash, because redfish and trout frequently miss the lure on their first pass and come back a second later.
- Remove slack from the line. Reel down quickly as the fish strikes so there is a direct, tight connection between your rod and the hook before you attempt to set it.
- Sweep the rod sideways, not straight up. A firm, low, sideways sweep drives the hook point into the corner of the fish’s jaw far more reliably than a vertical lift of the rod tip.
- Keep steady pressure through the fight. Maintain a bent rod and consistent drag tension throughout the battle, since sudden slack during head shakes is the number one reason topwater treble hooks pull free.
Common Mistakes That Cost You Topwater Fish
Even experienced anglers fall into a few avoidable traps. In particular, watch out for the following:
- Setting the hook too early: this is the single most common mistake, and it almost always pulls the lure away from the fish.
- Retrieving too fast: a rushed presentation rarely matches how injured baitfish actually move, so slow down and add deliberate pauses.
- Fishing the wrong tide stage: casting during dead-slack water often wastes valuable time that could be spent fishing moving tide.
- Using line that’s too light: thin line stretches and cuts hookset power, which is why braided mainline is strongly preferred for topwater fishing.
- Ignoring license requirements: always check current regulations through the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources before heading out on your own.
If you’d rather skip the trial and error altogether, our guides handle tide timing, lure selection, and licensing details for you on every charter. And if topwater action slows on a given day, we can also pivot to a deep sea charter so your day on the water is never wasted.
Other Species You Might Encounter on Topwater
While red drum and speckled trout are the headline species, Myrtle Beach’s flats and creeks hold plenty of surprises. Anglers occasionally hook weakfish feeding alongside trout, especially during the shoulder seasons when baitfish schools overlap. Therefore, it’s worth keeping a slightly smaller lure tied on as a backup in case the bite turns finicky.
Frequently Asked Questions About Topwater Fishing
What is the best time of day for topwater fishing in Myrtle Beach?
Early morning and late afternoon are best for topwater fishing, since low light and an active tide push baitfish toward the surface where redfish and trout feed aggressively.
What is the best topwater lure for redfish and trout?
Walking baits work well in calm, clear water, while poppers perform better in choppy or stained conditions because the extra splash draws attention from farther away.
Do I need a fishing license for topwater fishing in South Carolina?
Yes, anglers fishing from shore or private boats generally need a valid South Carolina saltwater fishing license; however, licensed charter guides typically cover this requirement for guests aboard their boats.
What weather conditions are best for topwater fishing?
Overcast skies with light wind and moving water are ideal, since calm but not glass-flat conditions let fish see the lure’s wake without feeling overly exposed near the surface.
Can beginners learn topwater fishing techniques easily?
Absolutely — with the right retrieve speed and patience on the hookset, beginners can learn the basics of topwater fishing in a single guided trip.
Conclusion: Book Your Myrtle Beach Topwater Fishing Trip Today
If you’re looking for an unforgettable fishing experience in Myrtle Beach, look no further than North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters. In short, topwater fishing rewards anglers who match the right lure to conditions, time their trip around tide and light, and master the patience required for a clean hookset. Our expert guides and top-quality equipment will ensure that you have the best chance of catching redfish and trout on topwater. Book your trip today and experience the thrill of a lifetime on the water.