Horry County, SC · Atlantic Ocean
Garden City Beach
Garden City Beach offers public shoreline and pier access on the Atlantic coast in Horry County. Common targets include sheepshead, bluefish, summer flounder, red drum, and spotted seatrout.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Bluefish, Red Drum & Spotted Seatrout — tied at the top (22/100)
3 species tied for best of 5 tracked at Garden City Beach.
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 21 at 8:14PM EDT until July 22 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:29 AM | High | 4.5 ft |
| 7:39 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 2:14 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 8:22 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
Species at Garden City Beach
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 3 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Bluefish Skip the Bluefish trip today. In season 22/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — bluefish prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- 18 mph wind — strong wind — chop and difficult casting
- 5.2 ft seas — building seas — uncomfortable and hard to hold position
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Pomatomus saltatrix — Toothy, aggressive pelagic predator. "Snapper blues" invade the lower Bay and coastal bays in summer; bigger choppers along the Atlantic coast. Hits metal jigs, topwater, and cut bait savagely — wire leaders recommended.
Prefers. Water 60–80°F (ideal 70°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–50 ft.
Last verified 54 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 5
No minimum size. 5/person/day (7 on for-hire).
Source: South Carolina regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Red Drum Skip the Red Drum trip today. In season 22/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — red drum prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- 18 mph wind — strong wind — chop and difficult casting
- 5.2 ft seas — building seas — uncomfortable and hard to hold position
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Sciaenops ocellatus — Also called channel bass, redfish, or (as juveniles) puppy drum. Summer and fall target around the lower Bay shoals and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Big "bull reds" cruise the surf in fall.
Prefers. Water 65–85°F (ideal 75°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–20 ft.
Last verified 54 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 15"
- Max size
- 23"
- Daily creel
- 2
15–23" slot, 2/person/day (max 6 per boat).
Source: South Carolina regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Spotted Seatrout Skip the Spotted Seatrout trip today. In season 22/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — spotted seatrout prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- 18 mph wind — strong wind — chop and difficult casting
- 5.2 ft seas — building seas — uncomfortable and hard to hold position
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Cynoscion nebulosus — Popularly called "speckled trout" or "specks." Summer-fall target in the lower Bay grass beds and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Topwater walkers at dawn and soft plastics on jigheads are standard.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–15 ft.
Last verified 54 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 10
14" minimum, 10/person/day.
Source: South Carolina regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#4 Sheepshead Skip the Sheepshead trip today. In season 6/100
What's hurting
- incoming tide — sheepshead prefers slack tide
- 18 mph wind — strong wind — chop and difficult casting
- 5.2 ft seas — building seas — uncomfortable and hard to hold position
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Archosargus probatocephalus — Structure-oriented crustacean eater with famously human-like teeth. VA piers, jetties, and the rocks and pilings of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel are the classic targets. Fiddler crabs, sand fleas, or small pieces of shrimp on a knocker rig right against the structure. Expect to lose tackle.
Prefers. Water 60–82°F (ideal 72°F) · slack tide · depth 5–40 ft.
Last verified 54 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 10
14" minimum, 10/person/day (max 30 per boat).
Source: South Carolina regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#4 Summer Flounder Skip the Summer Flounder trip today. In season 6/100
What's hurting
- incoming tide — summer flounder prefers outgoing tide
- 18 mph wind — strong wind — chop and difficult casting
- 5.2 ft seas — building seas — uncomfortable and hard to hold position
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Paralichthys dentatus — Locally called "fluke." Flatfish that ambushes bait off sandy and mixed bottom. Drifting bucktails tipped with Gulp! or live minnows through Ocean City and Chincoteague inlets is the classic method.
Prefers. Water 58–75°F (ideal 65°F) · outgoing tide · depth 10–100 ft.
Last verified 54 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 16"
- Daily creel
- 5
Southern flounder: 16" minimum, 5/person/day (max 10 per boat).
Source: South Carolina regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Water Body
Atlantic Ocean
Region
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
South Carolina
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Garden City Beach: South Carolina DNR fishing report → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Garden City Beach?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Garden City Beach you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Garden City Beach?
Garden City Beach is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Sheepshead, Bluefish, Summer Flounder, Red Drum, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Garden City Beach?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Garden City Beach against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Garden City Beach have?
Garden City Beach has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Garden City Beach?
state agency regulations apply at Garden City Beach. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Garden City Beach tidal water?
Yes. Garden City Beach sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.