Pawleys Island Pier
OpenPawleys IslandFree (beach access)
Surf fishing only, no standing pier
Pawleys Island, SC 29585Free (beach access)
Bite score · Pawleys Island Pier
Great Bite
Tide is the main thing going for you.
75/100Confidence: High (every input reporting)Updated 7 min ago
What is driving it
- Tide: Rising · turn in 48 min
- Solunar: 3/5
- Water Temp: 84.4°F
- Time of Day: Midday
- Wind: 2 mph
- Pressure: steady -0.4 mb/3h
These readings come from the stations nearest this pier. Along a 60-mile beach the tide, barometer and moon are shared, so neighbouring piers often score alike — the differences show up in wind, water temperature and sea state.
Next high
11:56 AM
5.5 ft · within the hour
Next low
6:16 PM
0.8 ft · in about 7 hours
Predictions from NOAA CO-OPS · Pawleys Island Pier (ocean). The hour either side of a tide change is usually the hour worth fishing. See the full tide table.
Right now
Conditions at Pawleys Island Pier
Water temp
84.4°F
Air 84°F
Wind
2 kn S
Gusts 2 kn
Tide
Rising
From NOAA CO-OPS
Pressure
1020 mb
Low Hazard
Beach flag: Low Hazard
Calm conditions. Exercise normal caution.
The next four days
Planning a trip later in the week
Only today carries a scored bite — the model runs on current readings, so there is no score for a day that has not happened. The days after today show their solunar rating, which is a sun-and-moon heuristic, not a measurement of the water.
About Pawleys Island Pier
Pawleys Island is one of the oldest summer resorts on the East Coast, known for its 'arrogantly shabby' charm. While the island does not currently have a standing commercial fishing pier (the original pier was destroyed by hurricanes), the beach and creek access points offer excellent surf fishing. The island's laid-back atmosphere and rich history make it a unique fishing destination on the southern end of the Grand Strand.
House rules
- SC saltwater fishing license required
- Respect private property. Use public beach access points
- No vehicles on the beach
- Leave no trace
House rules are set by the pier. State-wide size and bag limits are on the regulations page.
6 species
What you can catch at Pawleys Island Pier
2 species are in peak season here right now.
Peak seasonRed Drum (Redfish)
Sciaenops ocellatus
Mar–Nov
Best bait: Live shrimp, cut mullet
Peak seasonFlounder
Paralichthys dentatus
Mar–Nov
Best bait: Live minnows, mud minnows
BitingWhiting (Kingfish)
Menticirrhus spp.
Year-round
Best bait: Shrimp, bloodworms
BitingBluefish
Pomatomus saltatrix
Apr–Nov
Best bait: Cut bait, spoons
BitingSpot
Leiostomus xanthurus
Sep–Dec
Best bait: Bloodworms, shrimp bits
slowPompano
Trachinotus carolinus
Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
Best bait: Sand fleas, shrimp
Not sure what you caught?
Answer four questions about the shape, the markings and where it hit, and the identifier narrows it to a shortlist of Grand Strand species — worth checking before you decide whether it is legal to keep.
Bait that works here
What to buy on the way
Live Shrimp
liveRed Drum, Flounder, Sheepshead, Black Drum
Rig: Carolina rig or float rig
Bloodworms
liveWhiting, Spot, Croaker, Pompano
Rig: Two-hook bottom rig (pompano rig)
Cut Mullet
cutRed Drum, Black Drum, Bluefish, Sharks
Rig: Fish-finder rig on the bottom
Sand Fleas (Mole Crabs)
livePompano, Whiting, Red Drum, Sheepshead
Rig: Pompano rig with small hooks
Close by
The three nearest piers
Tide, barometer and moon are shared along this stretch of beach, so a neighbouring pier often scores alike — wind, water temperature and sea state are what separate them.
