• Murrells Inlet, SC — Seafood Capital of South Carolina

Murrells Inlet Kayak

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Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

The Water Is Calling. Answer It.

The local guide to paddling the Grand Strand waterway corridor — from Surfside to Litchfield. Find rentals, book guides, plan your trip, and discover the places only locals know.

Why a Kayak?

Get Where the
Big Fish Hide

The grass flats and tidal creeks of Murrells Inlet hold some of the best inshore fishing on the South Carolina coast. The problem is most of it is in water too shallow for a boat.

A kayak changes that. You can slide into 8 inches of water, approach quietly, and fish the exact spots where redfish are tailing and flounder are lying in ambush. It’s a completely different experience.
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What's in the Water

Inshore Species Guide

The main species you’ll target from a kayak in Murrells Inlet, with tips from a lifelong local angler.

Redfish (Red Drum)

Year-round — best fall

Habitat

Grass flats, creek mouths, oyster bars

Best Bait

Mud minnows, shrimp, mullet, gold spoons

“Look for tailing reds in shallow grass flats on a rising tide. They’ll be pushing water and their tails will break the surface. Approach quietly — a kayak is perfect for this.”
SC Size Limit: 12–27 inches slot (SC)

Flounder

Spring through Fall

Habitat

Sandy bottoms near structure, creek channels

Best Bait

Mud minnows, mullet minnows, gulp shrimp

“Troll slowly along the bottom near structure. Flounder lie flat and ambush prey. The question I get asked most — drag a mud minnow slowly along the bottom near channel edges.”
SC Size Limit: 12 inch minimum (SC)

Spotted Sea Trout

Spring through Fall

Habitat

Grass flats, shallow creeks

Best Bait

Live shrimp, soft plastics, topwater lures

“Early morning topwater action in the creeks can be spectacular. They’ll blow up on a popping cork with live shrimp. Work the edges of grass beds.”
SC Size Limit: 14 inch minimum (SC)

Black Drum

Year-round

Habitat

Oyster bars, dock pilings, channel edges

Best Bait

Fiddler crabs, shrimp, oysters

“Fish around oyster bars and dock pilings. Black drum root around the bottom for crabs and shrimp. Use a fiddler crab on a Carolina rig near structure.”
SC Size Limit: No minimum (SC)

Sheepshead

Winter and Spring

Habitat

Dock pilings, bridges, oyster bars

Best Bait

Fiddler crabs, barnacles, shrimp

“Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers. Use a small hook and feel for the lightest tap. Fish tight to pilings and structure in cooler months.”
SC Size Limit: 10 inch minimum (SC)

Cobia

Spring and Summer

Habitat

Open water near buoys, rays, structure

Best Bait

Live eels, large jigs, bucktails

“Follow cownose rays in the spring — cobia shadow them. Also check channel markers and buoys. They’re aggressive and will eat a large jig.”
SC Size Limit: 33 inch minimum (SC)
Natural vs. Artificial

Bait That Works in Murrells Inlet

With warm weather here — which is strange to say since we never have much of a winter — I almost strictly use natural bait. It’s so abundant and easy to catch, I don’t see much reason to use artificial. Here’s what I like to use by species.

Mud Minnows

The most versatile live bait in the inlet. Set a minnow trap overnight near marsh grass. Great for flounder, redfish, and trout.

Live Shrimp

Available at most local bait shops. Works on everything. Under a popping cork for trout, on the bottom for drum.

Mullet Minnows

Hard to beat for flounder. Catch them with a cast net in the early morning near the surface.

Fiddler Crabs

The go-to for sheepshead and black drum around structure. Dig them from the marsh mud at low tide.

Before You Go

Tips for a Better Trip

  • Always check the tide before you go — paddling with the tide makes everything easier and more productive.
  • Early morning (6–9am) is the best window for fishing. Less boat traffic, cooler temps, more active fish.
  • A kayak lets you access grass flats in 6–12 inches of water where big redfish feed — spots a boat can't reach.
  • Wear polarized sunglasses. You'll spot fish you'd never see without them.
  • Bring more water than you think you need. South Carolina sun is serious.
  • A SC saltwater fishing license is required. Get one at dnr.sc.gov — it's quick and cheap.

SC DNR

A South Carolina saltwater fishing license is required. Check current regulations for size and bag limits before you go.

Book a Trip

Local Fishing Charters

Verified active charters operating out of Murrells Inlet and the Grand Strand. All confirmed in business as of 2026.
Featured
Black River Outdoors
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 (1,138 reviews)
Kayak Fishing & Eco Tours — Female & Veteran Owned
The premier kayak fishing guide in the Murrells Inlet / Pawleys Island area. 4-hour guided kayak fishing trips targeting redfish, flounder, speckled trout, and more in the tidal creeks and grass flats. All equipment and bait provided. Rated 4.9 stars with 1,138+ TripAdvisor reviews. “Went out kayak fishing with Stephen a couple days ago — he is an outstanding guide! I’m new to the Murrells Inlet area and kayak fishing. He was extremely knowledgeable.” — TripAdvisor reviewer

From $130/person
(843) 546-4840
Visit Website
Featured
Outlaw Fishing Charters
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 (96 reviews)
Inshore Fishing on the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk
Three captains, three boats, one unforgettable inshore fishing experience right on the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk. Captain Tommy Werner, Captain Dustin Utt, and Captain Coleman Reich put you on redfish, flounder, trout, and sheepshead aboard 239FS Key West center consoles. Up to 6 anglers per boat. “Captain Tommy knows his stuff. He is very professional and knows where the fish are. Each time I and my family go with him, he puts us on fish.” — FishingBooker. 4.9 stars on Google with 96 reviews.
(843) 504-8793
Visit Website
Featured
Black River Outdoors
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 (1,138 reviews)
Kayak Fishing & Eco Tours — Female & Veteran Owned
The premier kayak fishing guide in the Murrells Inlet / Pawleys Island area. 4-hour guided kayak fishing trips targeting redfish, flounder, speckled trout, and more in the tidal creeks and grass flats. All equipment and bait provided. Rated 4.9 stars with 1,138+ TripAdvisor reviews. “Went out kayak fishing with Stephen a couple days ago — he is an outstanding guide! I’m new to the Murrells Inlet area and kayak fishing. He was extremely knowledgeable.” — TripAdvisor reviewer
(843) 485-7424
Visit Website