Last Updated on October 26, 2023 by Capt. R.C.

Myrtle Beach Fishing Report for October and Outlook for November

This is the Myrtle Beach fishing charter report for October. The harvest moon we had in September brought with it some enormous tides that kind of stuck around throughout this month with the relentless Northeast winds. This has made the fishing somewhat challenging during our best time of year for fishing. We are still having some productive fishing out of Myrtle Beach, so let’s dig in to what’s been happening on the Grand Strand.

October in Myrtle Beach brings stellar trout fishing!

What makes October the best month for fishing in Myrtle Beach?

• Cooler Weather
• Cooling Water Temperatures
• Variety of Species to Target

Cooler Weather

The mild weather in October makes charter fishing in Myrtle Beach pleasant. Whether it’s morning or afternoon, the moderate temperatures make things nice and comfortable for being out on the water. October is my favorite time of year, and it can provide some of the most memorable trips for my clients.

Cooling Water Temperatures

Now that we are away from the brutal heat of the summer, getting out on early departures becomes of less importance. The cooling water temperatures can make fishing productive in the mornings and afternoons. Some days, the afternoons can be even more productive in Myrtle Beach.

Another benefit of cooler water temperatures is the urgency it creates for predatorial fish species. After months of contentment, Redfish and Speckled Trout are beginning to sense that Winter is around the corner. This change triggers their instincts to feed heavy prior to bait becoming scarce and the general impact that the cooler environment will have on these cold blooded species.

Variety of Species to Target

October probably provides the best opportunity to effectively target a large variety of species in the waters surrounding Myrtle Beach. Our resident, year-round, fish become more aggressive; and our migratory species are still around to capitalize on their voyage back South or offshore.

What Fish are Biting in Myrtle Beach Right Now?

• Redfish
• Trout
• Flounder
• Sheepshead
• Black Drum
• Tarpon 
• Tripletail

Myrtle Beach Reds are getting hungry this time of year!

Redfish

October is famously know for the running of the Bulls along the Grand Strand. We’re not talking about oxen, though; this is the time of year to catch Bull Redfish in Myrtle Beach. The guys in the featured image (at the top of this report page) got to experience the strength of these fully grown Redfish. The Bull Red run should last well into November if you would like to experience catching some of these monsters!

This is also the time of year where fishing will pick up for the slot Reds on light tackle. As the water temperatures continue to cool, this species will begin to form large schools in the waters from Myrtle Beach to Pawley’s Island. While I practice catch and release on Redfish of all sizes, it is a lot of fun hearing them work the drag on light tackle.

I normally try to keep things simple for my clients by using live bait. Most of my productive days have come from fishing live mullet or mud minnows under a popping cork, and on bottom rigs. This type of fishing is fun and effective for all skill levels as we all love to see that cork get pulled under the water!

Some of my experienced guests like to take a more challenging approach by using artificial baits. Catching redfish on artificials gives you a sense of accomplishment, and the feeling of the bite before setting the hook is hard to put in to words.

I am finding myself using more D.O.A. Lures now, with colors such as New Penny and Stark Naked standing out in getting fish to bite. We are also still using Gulp Shad and topwater baits in the right conditions.

The Speckled Trout bite along the Grand Strand should stay strong through November.

Speckled Trout

Now that the water temperatures are dropping, and they recently completed their final spawn of the year, Speckled Trout are gorging themselves on baitfish and shrimp. We have found schools feeding under birds for some of the most exciting action you will ever see!

We are already having days of catching over 50 fish (Speckled Trout and Redfish combined), and the bite should stay strong for the next month. If you have any younger ones that you want to take fishing in Myrtle Beach, this is the time of year to take them!

One of my favorite “search baits” for Speckled Trout is the D.O.A. Lures 4″ Shad in the Glow/Chartreuse Tail. This bait’s profile is sure to be seen when trying to cover a lot of water, and our clients love catching fish on them! Once a school is located, fish can be caught on this lure with a simple slow retrieve that ensures success for any skill level.

Speckled Trout are fun to catch, and make a delicious meal!

Flounder

Flounder can still be caught around Myrtle Beach in the Fall.

Like I mentioned in my previous report, Flounder can be targeted throughout the Fall months from Myrtle Beach to Georgetown. Many of my guests have never caught a flounder because they can sometimes be hard to hook.

Most of the Flounder we are catching have been caught on live bait under corks. While this goes against conventional wisdom, my clients are living proof that your bait does not have to be on the bottom to catch this delicious species. We are catching them on finger mullet and mud minnows while beating the banks for Redfish.

We are also catching a lot of our Flounder on the same artificial baits being used for Redfish and Speckled Trout.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are best targeted along the jetties in Little River and Murrell’s Inlet.

This sly fish is a pro at stealing your bait, but it seems like my clients are somehow better at catching them than I am! This time of year, we can target Sheepshead at the jetties in Little River and Murrell’s Inlet. My choice of bait is salted clams, shrimp and fiddler crabs.

Sheepshead fishing in Myrtle Beach can be challenging due to their ability to avoid the hook, but these make some of the finest table fare in the ocean.

Black Drum

The Black Drum bite is another one that turns on in the Fall, and will continue through the Winter. These fish fight much like a Redfish, and they are also good to eat!

Black Drum make for an excellent target around Myrtle Beach later in the year. We normally focus on catching them around the jetties or deep holes by oyster bars. My bait of choice for targeting Black Drum consists of salted Clams and Shrimp.

Tarpon

With the cooler temperatures that mid-October has brought upon us, it looks like our 2023 Tarpon season is in the history books. We had another successful year with around 6 fish at the leader, and many more opportunities. I was even able to get the wife on her first one this year!

Even though our group of local guides tries to keep things under the radar, recreational fishermen and newbie guides can’t help but crow from the fence post about every fish they get to bite. This adds to the pressure that is put on our small Tarpon fishery, and is another example of how social media can have consequences. Every season these fish see more pressure, they get smarter, and get harder to catch.

Often overlooked, Tripletail are possibly the coolest fish we get in Myrtle Beach.

Tripletail

Like the Tarpon, Tripletail are another migratory species that tends to visit the Grand Strand in our warmer months. They are still worth noting, however, as there can be opportunities to catch them during the month of October.

Booking a Myrtle Beach Fishing Charter

Contact Harvest Moon Fishing Charters when looking for a fishing charter near Myrtle Beach! When you book with me, you will get the same experience as being on the boat with me and my friends as we learned to fish the waters from Myrtle Beach to McClellanville. Call today, find us on Google, or check out our convenient online booking system.