Atlantic Beach, SC Fishing: Angling in a Town Bursting with Heritage

Atlantic Beach, also known as ‘the Black Pearl,’ is located in Horry County in South Carolina. It is part of the Grand Strand, an arc of beach land overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Most of its land is attached to the city of North Myrtle Beach. The Gullah Geechee people, descendants of enslaved people who resided on the Sea Islands from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Jacksonville, Florida, have mainly shaped the town’s rich culture. In the early 1930s, they defied Jim Crow laws when the South was segregated by quashing black stereotypes and broadening their enterprises through opening businesses. 

The area was given its nickname because it maintains and preserves its early historical identity by being a vacation getaway for black families. It remains the only black-owned beach in the United States. Atlantic Beach is home to many black-owned and operated hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, novelty shops, and more. Each year, it attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists because of its robust heritage, ocean proximity, and closeness to other tourist destinations like Myrtle Beach. Anglers will have no problem finding places to cast their line as the Atlantic Ocean is just within reach.

Atlantic Beach Fishing

With the ocean just at arm’s length, anglers have tons of opportunities to catch a wide variety of fish in Atlantic Beach. Whether they’re casting their line from the shore or are out in the sea, plenty of great angling action can be found.

Atlantic Beach is an excellent destination for those who want to go deep sea fishing and bottom fishing. Plenty of piers and surf casting areas are available for anglers who wish to stay on land. Fishing along the Grand Strand usually means saltwater fishing; therefore, the Atlantic Ocean comes to mind. Fish species found inshore include southern flounder, speckled sea trout, black drum, redfish, Atlantic spadefish, king mackerel, and sharks. Further out in the water, one can find southern flounder, bull redfish, southern stingray, sharks (blacktip, spinner, bull, tiger, and Atlantic sharpnose), sea trout, black drum, Atlantic spadefish, cobia, black sea bass, triggerfish, mahi-mahi, red snapper, grouper, wahoo, blackfin tuna, and yellowfin tuna. The adjacent areas of Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach host numerous fishing piers. One of the nearest ones to Atlantic Beach is the Cherry Grove Pier, accessed through North Ocean Boulevard in North Myrtle Beach. It is open daily for 24 hours from March through November. The 985-foot-long pier also has handicap access, restrooms, and a bait and tackle shop. Anglers who want to venture out to the sea can book fishing charters. Redfish are best caught by doing light tackle fishing in shallow areas like creeks, shallow bays, and oyster bars. King mackerel is also a great target for the light tackle as anglers will spot them near the water’s surface. One can find cobia around nearshore reefs or underwater structures where baitfish congregate. Mahi-mahi are best caught over 15 miles offshore. The best way is to troll them using artificial lures. 

For freshwater anglers, Atlantic Beach offers access to the Intracoastal Waterway. In its waters, species you’ll find include redfish, largemouth bass, striped bass, catfish, Atlantic herring, white crappie, and shad. There are also marine areas where one can catch fish such as redfish, black drum, mackerel, flounder, mahi-mahi, and sea bass. The waterway is popular among boaters, so it’s important to brace for heavy marine traffic if one wants to go boat angling there. It is also lined with several piers and marinas. For wade anglers, small creeks and cutoffs provide excellent fishing action. 

Those willing to travel further to North Myrtle Beach can fish from House Creek. It can be found near the Cherry Grove area and the Heritage Shores Nature Preserve. Fish like summer flounder, pinfish, oyster toadfish, Atlantic croaker, southern flounder, spotted sea trout, black drum, and red drum can be found in its waters. House Creek offers bank fishing, pier fishing, docks, and boat ramps. There is also a put-and-take fishing area. Some of the creek’s most active areas are cuts in the marshes found around the waterway. Baitcasting or jigging mud minnows or gulp shrimp have proven effective in hooking fish like flounder, redfish, largemouth bass, and speckled trout. 

Long Pond is another wonderful freshwater spot situated near Atlantic Beach. Anglers can catch fish such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, perch, and pumpkinseed in its waters. Lewis Pond is also near the Intracoastal Waterway, where one can reel in largemouth bass, summer flounder, black drum, pinfish, spotted sillago, southern kingcroaker, and bluefish.

Top 10 Fish Species in Atlantic Beach, SC

The top 10 fish species found in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina are southern flounder, summer flounder, speckled sea trout, black drum, redfish, Atlantic spadefish, king mackerel, cobia, largemouth bass, and Atlantic croaker.

Seasonal Fishing

Redfish are best caught from May to October. The peak time to fish for flounder species is from June to October. Anglers who want to reel in speckled trout can do so all year, but they are most active from June to August. April through September is the best period to target shark species and Atlantic spadefish. May to September is the best time for those who want to score king mackerel. Stingrays can be fished from March to December, but April to October is the best month to target them. Black drum can be caught in local waters from April to November. March through October is a great time to target black bass. There is a small peak window for triggerfish in June and July. Largemouth bass is best targeted in the spring and fall. The high season for yellowfin tuna is from May to July while fishing for blackfin tuna peaks in late April and May. January is the worst month to go fishing in Atlantic Beach and its surrounding areas, as almost none of the fish are active during that month. 

Immerse in the Heritage of Atlantic Beach

Atlantic Beach boasts a rich history and culture that provides a one-of-a-kind experience and atmosphere like no other South Carolina area. 

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Immediate access to the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway means fishing is ingrained in the community. Fishing charters are readily available for those who want to venture out the water and find their prized targets. Piers, docks, and marinas found throughout the area also offer boat rental services close to bait and tackle shops.

2. Go Beaching

People can have the unique opportunity of visiting the country’s only African-American-owned beach. Experience what its beach area offers by swimming, boating, kayaking, and more. People can also learn more about Atlantic Beach’s rich heritage by visiting establishments that helped shape what it is today. 

3. Explore the Town

The Black Pearl still possesses many black-owned businesses that maintain its rich history and traditions. It has thrived as a vacation destination due to its many hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and novelty shops. A popular place to visit is the Black Hawk Night Club, an established entertainment venue since the Jim Crow era of segregation. Nearby, golf courses sit between and offer views of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.