With 60 miles of pristine Carolina coastline surrounding Myrtle Beach and fishing hot spots available on both the open ocean and in nearby inlets, rivers and lakes, you can find plenty of places to treat Dad to a great day of fishing on the Grand Strand. Here are four of the best options for taking dear ol’ Dad out for a fun fishing adventure on Father’s Day (June 19):
* Charters: For the ultimate deep-sea fishing experience, hook up with a local fishing charter for a full or half day on the high seas. Sailing out of marinas in Murrells Inlet, Little River and along the Intracoastal Waterway, deep-sea fishing trips allow passengers to go after the big ones that swim the ocean’s depths. Full-day trips go out to the Gulf Stream to catch sport fish like king mackerel and marlin and big bottom-feeders like grouper and snapper. Half-day trips stay closer to shore but have success with sea bass, sea trout and other species. Popular outfitters can be found at Marlin Quay Marina and Crazy Sister Marina in Murrells Inlet, Little River Fishing Fleet in Little River, and Hurricane Fleet in Calabash.
* Piers: For a day of angling without all the hassles of boarding a boat or bringing lots of gear, visit one of the many fishing piers located along the Grand Strand. Featuring 10 piers stretching from the Cherry Grove Fishing Pier near the Carolina border down to Veterans Pier in Murrells Inlet, the Myrtle Beach area offers anglers both isolated locations and ones in the heart of Myrtle Beach. The Second Avenue Pier, Pier 14, Springmaid Pier and Myrtle Beach State Park Pier are short distances from Bay View Resort, while Apache Pier, Garden City Beach Pier and Surfside Beach Pier are located on the outskirts of Myrtle Beach. All of them offer all the bait, tackle, gear and licenses you’ll need to enjoy a day of fishing with Dad, and some offer gift shops, bars, restaurants and other activities for the folks in the family who aren’t into fishing.
* Surf fishing: Once you have all the gear and licenses you need you can take advantage of the most trouble-free way to go fishing in Myrtle Beach by simply taking a walk to the shore. Although best suited for more secluded stretches of the beach, surf fishing is a great way to enjoy the thrill of the sport with the relaxation of sitting on the beach. You can even get your own bait by using a cast net in the surf to catch tiny fish, then use those to hook a bigger one by casting out past the breakers. Be sure to avoid areas with swimmers, bring a beach chair and invest in a couple of pole holders so Dad can kick back and enjoy the experience.
* Waterway/Freshwater: If freshwater fishing is more Dad’s speed, there are lots of opportunities along the Intracoastal Waterway and other inland lakes, rivers and streams. Running from the Carolina border down to Georgetown, the Intracoastal Waterway offers the unique chance to catch both saltwater and freshwater species. The Waccamaw River and Pee Dee River are hot beds for bass, bream, perch and more, and there are several public boat ramps on the rivers that offer fishing docks.
Although there are plenty of places to reel in some wall-hangers, Dad won’t be disappointed even if he doesn’t catch a thing. That’s because spending a day with the family fishing in paradise is reward enough for Father’s Day. Simply finish the fishing trip with a visit to one of the many seafood restaurants in town, and then head back to Bay View Resort for the perfect ending to a perfect Father’s Day in Myrtle Beach.