Grand Strand Piers Offer More Than Fishing

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​There are plenty of opportunities for fishing on the Grand Strand, but none quite like the experience you’ll find at a fishing pier. Providing easy access to the Atlantic Ocean; all the bait, gear and licenses you’ll need; and even some free advice and tall fishing tales from the friendly cast of characters who congregate at the local piers, these hot spots offer anglers many of the benefits of ocean fishing without the expense of chartering a boat.

The 60-mile stretch of Carolina coastline called the Grand Strand is fortunate to have 10 fishing piers to choose from, each with its own distinct character. Some also serve as tourist attractions where you can enjoy dining, shopping and even live entertainment without ever wetting a line, while others have gained fame among local fishermen who consider them their secret honey holes. Here’s a list of eight local piers where you can have a big time and hopefully catch a big one:

  • Apache Pier: Located in the Arcadian Shores section of Myrtle Beach, only a couple of miles north of Long Bay Resort, Apache is the longest wooden fishing pier on the East Coast at over 1,200 feet. The end of the pier is lined with anglers by day, and the covered pavilion with an outdoor bar and stage plays host to live music almost every night during the warmer months.

  • Cherry Grove Beach Pier: This historic pier is famous for a world-record catch back in 1964, when the largest tiger shark ever caught with a rod and reel tipped the scales at the pier at 1,780 pounds and measured in at 14 feet. That half-century-old record still stands, and the pier holds other records thanks to its ideal location at the mouth of Cherry Grove Inlet near the Intracoastal Waterway. The pier features a restaurant and bar, a gift and bait shop, and an observation deck.

  • Myrtle Beach State Park Pier: South Carolina's oldest state park is home to beaches, hiking trails, a nature center and a fishing pier that is popular among local anglers. Park rangers offer regular programs to introduce children to fishing, crabbing, cast-netting and other nature skills, and this is a good place for a family to spend a day if some want to fish while others enjoy the park. Pier usage is included in the park admission of $4 per person.

  • Pier 14: This downtown pier is located at 14th Avenue North, as the name implies, and is the closest to Long Bay. Featuring a restaurant and bar, a gift shop and fishing, Pier 14 marks the northernmost point of the 1.3-mile Myrtle Beach Boardwalk — so it’s an ideal place to start and end a downtown stroll.

  • Second Avenue Pier: This pier in the heart of downtown serves as a hub of activity during the warmer months. The Pier House Restaurant and its rooftop bar serve great seafood and cold drinks, and each offers a scenic perspective of both the ocean and downtown. The pier is also a popular place to watch the fireworks shows during the summer.

  • Springmaid Pier: Located on the southernmost end of Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, Springmaid Pier is a hot spot for fishing tournaments and recreational angling. Stretching out more than 1,000 feet over the Atlantic, this pier allows fishermen to get closer to the big ones and has claimed state records for Spanish Mackerel and other species.

  • Surfside Pier: Despite being rebuilt three times since its opening in 1953, Surfside Pier has weathered the storms and continues to be the focal point of the tiny resort town of Surfside Beach. The city-owned pier offers half-day boat trips, a snack bar and an arcade, as well as excellent fishing.

Wherever you decide to cast your line, be sure to unwind from a fun day on the fishing pier with us at Long Bay Resort. With comfortable oceanfront accommodations and first-class amenities like restaurants and indoor and outdoor pool decks, a Long Bay Myrtle Beach vacation is one you don’t want to let get away.