Last Updated on February 9, 2024 by Capt. R.C.
Myrtle Beach, SC becomes a destination for fishing, golf, weddings, and spring breakers during the month of April. The scent of Spring is in the air, and we begin to enjoy warmer days with the occasional shower. As we detail April fishing in Myrtle Beach, here, you can also check out our complete 2024 fishing calendar.
Flounder can be a dependable target during the Spring Transition in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Inshore Fishing Targets for April in Myrtle Beach, SC
- Red Drum
- Spotted Seatrout
- Black Drum
- Flounder
- Striped Bass
While Redfish, Black Drum, and Speckled Trout are year-round target species for the waters of Myrtle Beach, the spring transition can often leave us scratching our heads. The transition hits its peak in April with schools of Reds and Trout splitting up to find their early Summer pattern. If you are planning a Myrtle Beach fishing charter in April, it is important to do your research when booking your captain.
April fishing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is when you will want to target highly traveled areas for Red Drum and Spotted Seatrout. These fish are on the move with the warming water temperatures. Black Drum will tend to be around the Little River jetties in the current from changing tides. Sometimes you will catch a couple fish as soon as you stop at a fishing spot, only to have to make another move to find more action. This is where having the right captain makes a difference.
Catch Trout as they are on the move during the month of April in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Flounder can be one of the most dependable species to catch during the month of April in Myrtle Beach. This is the time of year when they hit the creeks around Little River and Murrell’s Inlet.
We often target them by trolling live bait or Buck Tail artificial baits. You can also catch them by casting artificial baits such as Gulp Shrimp or DOA Shad. Sometimes we do both! Due to the slow trolling speeds we deploy, a skilled angler can cast artificial baits off the bow of the boat to double our chances!
Post-spawn Striped Bass are a popular option for April fishing in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Striped Bass are also an option for Myrtle Beach fishing in April! They can be caught in the Intracoastal Waterway between Little River and North Myrtle Beach, and all the way down the Waccamaw River.
Striper fishing in coastal South Carolina is a fun challenge due to the nomadic behavior of this species. They can be there today and gone tomorrow, but when you feel them hit your bait, there’s no mistaking it!
Sheepshead are one of the best species to catch near Myrtle Beach in April.
Nearshore Fishing Myrtle Beach in April
- Sheepshead
- Spanish Mackerel
- Snapper
- Cobia
April is a great time for nearshore Sheepshead fishing in Myrtle Beach, SC. The artificial reefs off of Myrtle Beach offer breeding grounds for this species, just a few miles off the beach. These reefs are located within 10 miles of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina’s coast.
Sheepshead are known for two things: 1. An uncanny ability to steal your bait, and 2. One of the most delicious fish in the ocean. April is an especially good time of year for catching Sheepshead because they bite more aggressively while spawning.
Finding schools of Spanish Mackerel can be a nice bonus during April in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Locating a school of Spanish Mackerel, in the ocean, is a fishing charter’s dream come true. When these fish are feeding on the surface, it means hot and steady action. They will bite just about anything you throw at them!
Red Snapper have a short season in South Carolina, but they put up a great fight in early Spring.
Red Snapper have been highly regulated over the past 10 years, and they are getting to the point where they are overpopulated. We have reported catching them in less than 40 feet of water off of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. While current laws require catch and release, it is a thrilling fight when you hook in to one of these strong bruisers!
Cobia begin showing up in late April, and stick around South Carolina through most of the Summer.
Cobia are one of the coolest fish that can be caught near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They start to show up later in the month at artificial reefs with depths of 60 feet. This means a little further run, close to 20 miles off of Myrtle Beach.
Fishing for cobia normally leads to catching other species like Grouper and Snapper. We like to catch enough bait on the way out so we can put out a chum slick to attract Cobia to the boat. When you see them, you can pitch a live bait or jig, and watch the fish take your bait!
Fish are Biting in Myrtle Beach During April!
While the Spring Transition comes with challenges for inshore fishing, there are still opportunities for productive days of fishing Myrtle Beach in April. Be sure to book with an experienced guide, that is local to the area; and always speak with the captain directly before booking a fishing charter. It can take a skilled captain to make things happen inshore, and you also want someone with the right experience for a nearshore fishing charter.
Whatever you’re hoping to target, Harvest Moon Fishing Charters will strive to put our experience to work for you. Give us a call or check out our easy online booking system – we take care of the details so you can enjoy a fun day on the water.