Last Updated on March 2, 2023 by Capt. R.C.

This may cause you some hesitation to getting in the water on your Myrtle Beach vacation, but South Carolina’s shark population is as healthy as it has ever been. There is little need for worry, though; these toothy predators are not interested in humans for their prey. The abundance of this species does, however, make for some exciting fishing!

 

Most Common Sharks

  • Blacktip Sharks
  • Spinner Sharks
  • Bull Sharks
  • Atlantic Sharpnose
  • Bonnethead

 

Now there are many more types of sharks in the waters off of South Carolina. You can get an idea of the total makeup of shark species through SCDNR’s receiver study conducted off the South Carolina and Georgia coasts. We want to give you an idea of what you will most likely be catching while shark fishing on the Grand Strand.

 

 

a fisherman with a shark

 

Blacktip Sharks

Blacktip sharks can grow up to over 5 feet in length, and weigh close to 100 pounds. They are easily identified by the black tipped dorsal, pectoral and tail fins. While these guys are not the most aggressive shark species, they can put up one heck of a fight. They are often confused with their larger counterparts, Spinner Sharks, due to the fact that Blacktips will also do a spinning jump when attacking prey.

 

Spinner Sharks

The Spinner Shark also has black tipped fins, but they can grow up to about twice the size of a Blacktip. There are some other subtle differences, but their size is mainly how they are distinguished from their counterpart. The Spinners can challenge the best of anglers and the toughest of gear. They make hard runs, and many times break the line by wrapping it around their bodies when jumping.

 

Bull Sharks

Bull Sharks are among the most aggressive, and most recorded shark attacks are likely from this species (even if attributed to a different type of shark). They get their name due to the shape of their body and their aggressive nature. Bull Sharks can thrive in fresh water, which means they can go far up in to places like Little River and Georgetown, SC. Many times we will lose Redfish and Trout to Bull Shark attacks, even in smaller creeks!

 

Atlantic Sharpnose

The Atlantic Sharpnose tends to be one of the smaller species of sharks along Myrtle Beach’s coast. They get up to around 3 feet in length, and maybe 20 or so pounds. We catch a lot of these, later in the summer, while we are flounder fishing in the creeks. They can also be frustrating while tarpon fishing, because they will tear up your baits without getting hooked.

 

Bonnethead Sharks

Bonnetheads look very similar to hammerheads, but the front of their snout is more rounded like a bonnet. They are also much smaller than hammerheads, only reaching around 5 feet (which is still big!). These sharks are considered to be good eating since their main diet consists of shellfish; however we do not keep them due to their foul smell when placed in the cooler.

Booking a Myrtle Beach Shark Fishing Trip

Contact Harvest Moon Fishing Charters for your Myrtle Beach shark fishing charter! We can customize the day to fit your group’s needs, and the kids will be talking about it the whole ride home. Call us today, or check out our convenient online booking.