Fishing the Tides

Surf fishing along the Grand Strand isn’t just fishing—it’s how I reset.

And I’ll be real with you—it’s not always quiet down the Carolina coast, especially around the Myrtle Beach area. But even when it’s busy, it’s still calming. The salt air, the moving water, the rhythm of it all… it clears my head in a way nothing else does.

For me, it’s not about catching the first few minutes of daylight.
It’s about fishing the tides.

I fish the tide windows

My favorite time to be out there is one to two hours before and after the tide starts moving—either coming in or going out. That’s when the beach changes. Current lines shift, the water starts working, and you feel like you’re fishing with the ocean instead of just throwing casts and hoping.

Spring and fall are our sweet spot

Tina and I love going in the spring and fall because it’s less crowded. You actually have room to fish—along the beach or on the pier—without feeling like you’re elbow-to-elbow. It’s the same coastline, but it feels like a different pace.

My phone stays in my pocket

Out there, my phone isn’t for scrolling.
It’s for two things:

  • taking pictures

  • checking the latest weather

That’s it. Everything else can wait.

What I’m really chasing out there

Sure, I want fish. But what I’m really chasing is:

  • a reset

  • a clear head

  • a reminder that life is bigger than grinding, solving problems, and putting out fires

Fishing puts me back where I need to be.

Grab-and-go setup (depends on the mission)

My “grab-and-go” setup changes depending on the kind of fishing I’m doing—but here’s what it looks like when I’m surf fishing.

Surf fishing essentials (my real list):

  • 2–3 rods and reels (because I like options)

  • sand spikes that actually hold

  • a tackle box with hook sizes, weights, and rig parts (not a pile of lures)

  • good pliers

  • fish rags (you’ll use them more than you think)

  • fresh, good bait

  • a cooler for drinks and snacks

  • a comfortable folding chair

  • and if it’s night fishing: a lantern I trust

Nothing fancy. Just the stuff that makes the trip smoother and keeps you fishing instead of messing around.

One small habit that helps

Before I even cast, I take one minute and watch the water:

  • where the current is pulling

  • where the foam line is

  • where the troughs and darker water are close to shore

  • whether any birds are working

That one minute saves a lot of “casting into nothing.”

The honest part: I haven’t been down there in a while

It’s been a minute since I’ve been able to get down to the Myrtle Beach area. Ever since the rebuild started, I just haven’t had the financial breathing room to make it happen.

But 2026 is coming.

I used to go down every year for my birthday in April, and I’m planning to bring that tradition back. Because that trip isn’t a luxury to me—it’s a reset that makes the rest of the year work better.