Want to fish at Hilton Head for free? Here’s where to find the public piers and what they offer

Sarah Claire McDonald

Hilton Head Island is a sports mecca for those who maintain a healthy lifestyle and spend most of their time outdoors.

Each year, millions of vacationers visit the island who long to spend their time on the beach, golfing, playing tennis, kayaking and fishing. Hilton Head’s fishing opportunities have even been nationally ranked as one of the best.

Anglers in the area have ample options for fishing, with some of the best fishing being for redfish, flounder, red snapper, cobia, bass, tarpon, sheepshead, sea trout and several different shark species.

However, guests should be aware of their surroundings while fishing in lakes, ponds or lagoons in the area as alligators are beginning to be more active due to their imminent breeding season.

Before fishing in South Carolina, it’s important to obtain a fishing license from the state. Children under 16 years old are not required to purchase a hunting or fishing license unless they are engaged in commercial activity or using any non-game fish devices. For all others, license pricing is based on where you live. For more information on obtaining a license, visit https://www.dnr.sc.gov/purchase.html.

Saltwater fishing can be tricky if you don’t have a boat or if you don’t always want to spend money on gas. If this sounds familiar, here are three public access fishing locales on Hilton Head Island.

Charles C. Haigh Jr. Fishing Pier

The Charles C. Haigh Fishing Pier is free to use and provides those wanting to fish with a spot to go deep saltwater fishing without the need of a boat. In addition to free access, the pier also has free parking and anglers can enjoy this spot all year long. This fishing locale is located at 2 William Hilton Parkway across Highway 278 from Pinckney Island.

Matthew Moore, age 6, of Ripley, W.Va., eyes a baby sand shark caught by Bettie Caballe of Pittsburgh Wednesday afternoon at the C. C. Haigh, Jr. Landing on Pinckney Island. Moore and his family were searching the pier for shells, crabs and sharks teeth. Caballe let them get a close look at the shark before tossing it back.
Matthew Moore, age 6, of Ripley, W.Va., eyes a baby sand shark caught by Bettie Caballe of Pittsburgh Wednesday afternoon at the C. C. Haigh, Jr. Landing on Pinckney Island. Moore and his family were searching the pier for shells, crabs and sharks teeth. Caballe let them get a close look at the shark before tossing it back.

Pinckney Island Fishing Pier

The Pinckney Island Fishing Pier gives those who fish in this spot year-round saltwater fishing access on Pinckney Island to a wide variety of different fish species. As a reminder, a South Carolina saltwater fishing license is required to fish at this pier. Freshwater fishing is prohibited on Pinckney Island. However saltwater fishing is allowed in the waters surrounding the refuge.

Jarvis Creek Park

Jarvis Creek Park can be found off of William Hilton Parkway at 100 Jarvis Park Road and includes a fishing pier, large pond, picnic pavilions, free parking, restrooms, playground, a walking trail and workout stations. The park’s fishing dock allows for those who fish there ample opportunity to catch and release several largemouth bass, which may provide a great spot to teach younger kids to fish. The park’s hours include Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. and then Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. once daylight saving time has ended.

Hilton Head Islander Celeste Iannazzo helps her son Rocco, 5, untangle the line on his new pole while fishing from the dock at Jarvis Creek Park on Monday. “We didn’t catch any fish, but we caught a turtle,” said Celeste of the after-school outing. Jay Karr
Hilton Head Islander Celeste Iannazzo helps her son Rocco, 5, untangle the line on his new pole while fishing from the dock at Jarvis Creek Park on Monday. “We didn’t catch any fish, but we caught a turtle,” said Celeste of the after-school outing. Jay Karr

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