South Carolina fishing licenses can be purchased at True Value Hardware in Coligny Plaza and from Wal Mart at Festival Center, where you can also buy rods, reels, etc and frozen bait.
Ocean Fishing
Inshore and offshore charter fishing boats are readily available. You can go fishing on a party boat with a dozen or many more people, which will drift fish, with the boat not moving. Usually these operate inshore or not far offshore, though some will go to the reefs. Some specialize in shark fishing, usually late in the day and into evening.
You can also charter an offshore or inshore boat that carries up to six passengers for half-day or full-day excursions. You will fish by dragging the bait behind a moving boat. This is usually called deep sea fishing.
For serious deep sea fishing, anglers will go to the Gulf Stream, about 70 miles from shore. The best time to go to the Gulf Stream is June through September.
There are a number of artificial reefs and natural banks offshore that offer fine fishing. The charter captains know where to go at various times of year and can predict the types of fish that may be caught.
Charters are available from almost all commercial marinas and it is best to talk to the charter boat captains to see what suits you.
Fresh Water Fishing
In the plantations, which the State classifies as private property, you need no State license but are subject to the rules of the plantation.
Sea Pines: You must be a resident or guest and you need a permit from CSA, available at the security office. They will ask you to prove you are a resident or guest.
Shipyard: For residents or guests there is no license requirement and there are no restrictions.
Palmetto Dunes: Fishing is restricted to owners and guests and to the banks of the lagoon crossed by the Queen's Folly bridge. There is a guided charter available, Palmetto Lagoon Charters, that conducts fishing trips on the eleven mile lagoon.
