Last Updated on October 29, 2024 by Eric Bonneman
It’s a very comfortable time to be out on the water right now. For Myrtle Beach, The Grand Strand, and the rest of the South Carolina coast, November is when the weather finally settles down from the intense summer heat, with temperatures mostly in the 50s and 60s. Air temperatures drop gradually, but what’s interesting is how the water temperature usually lags behind—often staying in the low 60s even into the month.
There’s also the better water clarity, which improves with cooler, calmer weather. Sediments stirred up by summer boat traffic and rainstorms settle, giving the inshore waters that clear look. On some days, especially just after a cold front, you can see fish moving around more clearly, making sight fishing not only possible but pretty satisfying.
With the water cooling off a little more slowly than the air, some fish start moving south or offshore, but plenty are still around. Here’s a rundown of which species are active and where to find them.
The Fish: What’s Biting?
1. Red Drum (Redfish)
The red drum are really at their best in November. You’ll find them in the shallow backwaters, creeks, and tidal pools where the water stays a bit warmer.
On cooler mornings, reds like to group up into school along grassy shorelines and oyster beds. Try casting with live shrimp or cut mullet near those beds and marsh edges.
2. Speckled Trout
Trout are sight feeders with large eyes adapted to see well in low light, so early mornings and cloudy days tend to be peak times. November’s clear water lets them see their prey more easily, which makes artificial lures more effective than usual. They’re also feeding more aggressively than they were in October, which makes this month a great time to target them along the South Carolina coast.
3. Black Drum
Black drum are hanging around in decent numbers, especially near dock pilings, jetties, and bridge pylons. In November you’re likely to see both the young, smaller ones and the older, larger “big uglies.” If you can find a school of them you can catch them all day long.
Black drum have specialized crushers in their throats to crack open the shells of crabs and clams, so naturally, cut bait like shrimp or crab does well with them.
4. Sheepshead
If you’re targeting sheepshead near Myrtle Beach November and December are solid months. They hang around structure where they can snack on barnacles, crabs, and oysters, so your best bets are docks, bridge pilings, rock jetties, and oyster beds. Rig up with small, strong hooks and fiddler crabs, shrimp, or sand fleas as bait.
5. Flounder
Though it’s getting late in the season for flounder, November still offers a fair shot at these flatfish before they begin their migration offshore. Look for sandy or muddy bottoms near drop-offs where they like to hide and wait to ambush their food.
If you’re drifting with live bait like finger mullet, go slow—flounder don’t chase far and prefer an easy meal.
Best Fishing Spots on the South Carolina Coast
The fish are on the move, waters are cooling off, and there are some great areas to hit before the full winter chill sets in.
- Georgetown – Winyah Bay: Big redfish schools in shallow grass flats, plus flounder in creek mouths. Head here for fewer crowds and solid redfish action on live shrimp.
- Pawleys Island: Tidal creeks packed with redfish and flounder. Ideal for sight fishing, especially early mornings. Paddle tails and spoons work great if you’re going artificial.
- Murrells Inlet: Known as a “fisherman’s paradise.” Focus on speckled trout and black drum, especially around docks. A popping cork with live shrimp draws them in, no problem.
- Cape Romain – Bulls Bay: If you like remote, this is it. Huge redfish schools in the shallows, plus sheepshead and black drum by oyster beds. Bring a map and watch the tides—it’s wild out there.
- Myrtle Beach: Perfect for beginners or casual fishing. Speckled trout are active around piers and docks, and you can still catch redfish near tidal creeks. Soft plastics work well here, especially after a cold front.
- Edisto Island – Kiawah Island: Quiet marshes and flats packed with redfish and flounder. Try live bait on a Carolina rig around oyster mounds.
- Charleston: Redfish, black drum, and trout are all solid in the harbor and nearby estuaries. Fish the incoming or outgoing tide with live shrimp under a cork.
Cooler water’s making the fish hungry. These spots all have solid action, just be smart about your tides and bait, and you’re set.
Gear Tips & Tricks
For November, a medium-action rod is versatile enough for most species along the Grand Strand. A 2500 to 3000 size spinning reel should handle the inshore fish you’ll be targeting, with 10-15 lb braided line as a good all-rounder. Leaders of 15-20 lb fluorocarbon help with visibility in clearer water, especially for trout and redfish, who can get picky.
Tip: If you’re going after black drum, consider bumping that up a bit—they can be tough to land on lighter tackle.
Carolina Guide Service
Ready to head out on the best fishing charters in South Carolina? Call Carolina Guide Service today at 843-814-7900 or click here to book your trip!