Last Updated on June 3, 2021 by
Starting every summer along the Pawley’s Island coastline, anglers from all around congregate on these waters for their shot at The Silver King. Learn when and where to target this massive species, and how to locate a local tarpon fishing guide to take you there.
Tarpon Fishing Season At Pawley’s Island
The tarpon fishing season on Pawley’s Island is timed around the annual tarpon migration up and down this coast. This migration starts in summer and can last all the way until fall. This all really boils down to water temps and baitfish migrations. Each year these can happen at slightly different times depending on those factors.
Your best bet for Tarpon fishing in the area will take place between June and September, but this can start as early as April and last all the way until October. On average, regardless of start and end dates, the prime time to target them is usually centered around the months of August and September.
Best Places To Find Tarpon In The Area
Tarpon migrate along the east coast of the United States. This journey starts in the Florida Keys and can end as far north as Deleware (this was seen in a 2008 tracking study). This whole migration is based on finding temperate waters, chasing schools of baitfish (the food supply), and heading to the spawning grounds. These are all important to understand as this information will lead you to great spots along the Grand Strand in South Carolina.
You will find schools of tarpon along the Atlantic facing coastline, this is the primary path. But, they don’t just cruise by, they stick around for a bit. So, if you are a tarpon in the Pawleys Island area looking for food and shelter, you wind up in the plentiful and protected backcountry waters. It is in here that tarpon congregate for easy meals and a safe harbor from predators. This is true along their entire path, along both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. It is always the expansive estuary systems that draw this species in droves.
So, where can you find such a place in Pawleys Island? Right in your backyard (sort of) in Winyah Bay. Just a few minutes down the Ocean Highway will land you right into the heart of the tarpon migration in the area. Launching from Georgetown in particular will land you in the epicenter of tarpon activity during the run. Winyah Bay is a coastal watershed and protected estuary – this is exactly what this species is looking for. When these fish are headed north, massive schools hang a right into Mud Bay and then Winyah Bay which is located just before Pawley’s Island when headed this way.
Hiring A Tarpon Fishing Guide
When looking for the right fishing guide to take you into these awesome tarpon fishing grounds you will want to find one who fits a few criteria. Number one is an absolute love for tarpon fishing, followed by the right boat, gear, equipment, and licensing. This combined with a positive attitude, cordial demeanor, and in-depth local knowledge of the tarpon migration are all key. Captain R.C. here at Harvest Moon Fishing is just such a local guide. He loves this time of year and would love to be the one that gets you hooked up with this bucket list fish!.
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