Why go to a fancy seafood restaurant when you Myrtle Beach visitors can go out and get the fresh catch of the day by yourself? It’s a challenge many choose to accept, and there are plenty of places to go where you can hook a big one. Here are five hot spots close to The Strand to go fishing: Beach: Surf fishing can be a bit tricky but it’s the easiest and cheapest form of ocean fishing. If you have your own gear and bait, you can simply stroll down to the beach and fish from the shore. However, there are a few restrictions that have been added to surf fishing in recent years. For starters, surf fishermen now require a fishing license, which you can pick up at any tackle shop or retailer that deals in fishing equipment. Also, a new city of Myrtle Beach ordinance requires surf fishermen to avoid areas of the beach occupied by swimmers, and finding a vacant stretch of coastline where you can wet your line isn’t easy in the summer. For guests at The Strand, walk a few blocks north to the “Miracle Mile” stretch of beach and look for a clear spot. A good cast net will allow you to catch fresh bait in the surf. Invest a couple of bucks in a good pole holder or bring a 2-foot piece of PVC pipe so you can relax and keep an eye on your line. Boat: The most expensive form of ocean angling is also the most fun. Charter fishing boats sail out of Murrells Inlet and Garden City Beach to the south, and out of North Myrtle Beach and Little River to the north. Most charter boats offer several options for a full day or half-day trip. Hard-core anglers may want to take a deep-sea fishing voyage out to the Gulf Stream, where the whoppers await a spot in your trophy case. For a milder fishing trip, the half-day cruises only go a few miles out and offer the chance to catch a wide range of fish you can’t catch from the shore. Charter boats handle all the equipment and bait, and the crew will even bait your hook and remove any fish you catch. You get to keep what you catch and the crew will even clean your fish for you for a small fee. Take it back to the resort and make your family a real seafood feast. Piers: The Grand Strand is lined with fishing piers, and there are several close to The Strand. To the south, Pier 14, Second Avenue Pier, Springmaid Pier, and Myrtle Beach State Park Pier provide excellent angling opportunities just a short distance from the resort. The north end piers are a bit farther, with Apache Pier and Cherry Grove Pier boasting proven track records for big catches. These wooden walkways have tackle shops where you can rent rods and reels and buy bait and other gear. You can also pick up a few tips about which species are running at the time. There is a small fee for using the pier, but it includes a single-day license and access to bathrooms and a convenience store, things you won’t find on the beach or in a boat. Waterway: If you have little ones in your fishing party, and you don’t mind catching little ones, head inland to the banks of the Intracoastal Waterway. This manmade river is home to both fresh and saltwater species, and there are several boat docks and public landings where you can fish safely from the shore. You will need a license and all your own gear, but the Waterway offers a bit more seclusion than you will get on a boat, beach or pier. (Posted: 7/9/15)
