Best Time to Fish Murrells Inlet: Month-by-Month Guide
If you’re planning a trip to Murrells Inlet or staying in Myrtle Beach, the real question isn’t “Can you fish year-round?”
You can.
The better question is: What’s actually worth targeting when you’re here?
Murrells Inlet gives us marsh creeks, oyster beds, docks, nearshore reefs, and structure within 15 miles. That means the target species shift throughout the year — but something is always available.
Here’s how it breaks down.
January
Primary Targets:
- Black Drum (peak winter month)
- Redfish (schooling)
- Speckled Trout (strong in cold water)
Redfish group up this time of year and hold in predictable winter areas. Black drum are reliable around deep holes and oyster beds.
Trout can be strong in January, especially in deeper creeks and around docks with slow presentations.
This is a redfish / drum / trout month. Not variety fishing — pattern fishing.
February
Primary Targets:
- Black Drum (strong)
- Redfish (strong)
- Speckled Trout (strong)
- Sheepshead beginning to stage
February fishes similar to January but can open up quickly with warming trends.
Redfish are still grouped. Trout remain a real option. Sheepshead begin staging around structure late in the month.
Some years February is excellent. Other years it depends week to week.
March
What Arrives:
- Sheepshead (peak March–May)
- Flounder beginning to move shallow
- Weakfish (Gray Trout)
- Redfish spreading out
Sheepshead become a legitimate target around docks, bridges, and structure.
Flounder start showing as water temps rise. Weakfish mix in both inshore and nearshore.
March is a transition month — more species showing up, but not full spring variety yet.
April
April adds real variety.
Inshore & Nearshore Targets:
- Spanish Mackerel (arrive late March)
- Big Bull Black Drum (spring run)
- Bluefish
- Weakfish (peak spring)
- Redfish
- Trout
- Flounder increasing
The spring bull black drum run is a real event. Large fish move through nearshore and inlet areas.
Spanish mackerel begin showing consistently, and bluefish mix into the same schools.
This is one of the first months where nearshore trips become a consistent option.
May
May is when the nearshore bite expands.
Strong Targets:
- King Mackerel (arrive in May)
- Spanish Mackerel
- Bonito (late spring window)
- Flounder (strong)
- Redfish
- Sheepshead still around structure
King mackerel become a serious target this month and continue through summer.
Inshore remains solid, but nearshore live bait and trolling trips become more common.
This is one of the most versatile months on the calendar.
June
Full summer pattern begins.
Nearshore:
- King Mackerel (strong)
- Spanish Mackerel (strong)
- Sharks (sharpnose, blacktip)
- Spadefish
- Black Sea Bass
- Sheepshead around structure
Inshore:
- Redfish in creeks
- Flounder (strong)
June is high variety. If someone wants action and multiple species options, this is a dependable window.
July
Established summer fishing.
Strong Targets:
- King Mackerel
- Spanish Mackerel
- Flounder
- Sharks
- Spadefish
- Redfish around deeper structure
You can build trips a lot of ways this month — reefs, live bait trolling, or inshore structure fishing.
August
Similar pattern to July.
Strong:
- King Mackerel
- Spanish Mackerel
- Flounder
- Sharks
- Redfish beginning early fall transition
Fish are still there nearshore, but attention slowly begins shifting back toward redfish patterns late in the month.
September
Clear shift toward fall.
Primary Focus:
- Redfish increasing
- Flounder strong near inlets
- King Mackerel still strong
- Spanish tapering
- Bonito possible (variable)
This is a split month — nearshore is still viable early, but redfish patterns become more consistent.
October
This is peak bull redfish season.
Top Targets:
- Bull Red Drum (fall run)
- Slot Redfish
- Flounder strong near inlets
- Speckled Trout improving
- King Mackerel tapering late month
Large bull reds move through near inlets and nearshore structure. This is the month anglers specifically plan around for bigger redfish.
Inshore fishing overall is strong and consistent.
November
Strong inshore month.
Targets:
- Redfish (schooling behavior)
- Black Drum increasing
- Speckled Trout increasing
- Sheepshead around structure
Water temps drop, but fish feed steadily before winter patterns set in.
This is one of the better months for consistent inshore action without summer pressure.
December
Back to winter patterns.
Strong:
- Redfish
- Black Drum
- Speckled Trout
Fish move into predictable winter areas again. Trout fishing can be very good this month depending on conditions.
Trips are available — just more condition-based than peak season.
Quick Reference: What’s Best & When?
- Best overall species variety: May through August
- Best for King Mackerel: May through September
- Best for Sharks: June through August
- Best for Bull Redfish: October
- Best for Winter Redfish, Drum & Trout: December through February
Murrells Inlet gives us marsh protection, nearshore reefs close to the inlet, and seasonal migrations that keep the fishery active year-round.
That flexibility is part of why Fish Finder Fishing has earned over 500 five-star Google reviews and is consistently rated the top charter in Murrells Inlet. We adjust to the season instead of forcing one style of fishing.
- Call or text today to book your trip and let’s go fishing.