Fishing for Spots at Cherry Grove Pier, Myrtle Beach

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2008/12/16 - Updated: 2025/01/12
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Disability Travel America - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: The locals at cherry grove pier love fishing for a little fish called spots. Anglers stand shoulder to shoulder, lead weights and spot rigs flying through the air. We have also seen some nice catches apart from spots, too-king mackerel, black drum, red drum, blue fish, and some Spanish mackerel.

Introduction

The locals at cherry grove pier love fishing for a little fish called spots. Anglers stand shoulder to shoulder, lead weights and spot rigs flying through the air. One group of fishermen proudly boasted catching over 700 spots between them, and individual anglers who grumbled that they only caught a few realized too late that those big catches came to those who were standing in the right location on the pier where the huge schools of spots happened to be at a given time.

Main Item

Meanwhile, back at pier "central," which is the bait and tackle shop at the front of the pier, a dauntless but harried, efficient but tired pier crew answered over 300 telephone calls per day during this period, with nearly each call beginning with, "Are the spots biting yet?" Always the same question, too! Some of the callers included demands for weather predictions, wind direction, specific time predictions for the first spot to latch onto a hook, and so on. One caller even asked Ronnie how the fish were biting last week, exactly when they were expected to bite next week, and which specific dates he, the caller, should arrange for his vacation so that he could be certain to catch fish. Ronnie's answer, perfected over time, suited the caller: "Mr., last week is history. Next week is a mystery, and if I could answer your third question, I would be in Las Vegas right now."

After that busy week, the spots had moved on, and spot catching was not so prolific-none of the record numbers that we saw the previous week. However, what makes angling, certainly life at Cherry Grove Pier, exciting is that you never know from one day to the next what will happen. Just as soon as the spots stopped biting, they started again. This past Saturday proved to be one of the busiest with record-number catches exceeding the previous numbers. Based on previous history with fishing for spots, we can expect the next several weeks to be like these past two-lively, then slow again. You just never know! We have seen some nice catches beyond spots, too-king mackerel, black drum, red drum, blue fish, and some Spanish mackerel.

At the same time that the spots kept the anglers hopping, Saturday, October 25th brought our adults and kids for the "Take a Kid Fishing" Tournament, hosted by the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce. Held from 8 am to 12 noon, the event saw a large attendance, despite the damp, windy weather. Each child received a goody bag with a "Take a Kid Fishing" tee shirt and many other items donated by area merchants, plus at mid-morning each received a snack, soft drinks, and water. Although the fish tended to remain in the water rather than allow themselves to be caught, the kids had fun, and the adults delighted in helping kids experience the joys of fishing.

Cherry Grove Pier has a resident celebrity. Pete the Pelican! Because he has discovered the luxury of receiving free fishy hand-outs from people fishing along the pier, he has adopted the pier as his "turf," so to speak. He usually sits near the end of the pier and enjoys posting for pictures for the customers and even allows being touched now and then if the daring human agrees to move slowly. Fast movements cause the pelican to peck the offending hand. Just as soon as the fishing weather moves from a balmy breeze to raw bone-piercing chill, we will probably see this self-appointed pier monitor drift off with his pelican mates to find warmer shores and wait to return to Cherry Grove next spring.

Related Information

• Myrtle Beach and The Grand Strand, South Carolina: Myrtle Beach is inviting for visitors with a disability. Budget-priced condominium rentals to luxurious resorts, offer accessible rooms and facilities.
• Disability Accessible Attractions Myrtle Beach South Carolina USA: Information regarding wheelchair and disability accessible attractions in Myrtle Beach area South Carolina USA.
• Collecting Sea Shells on the Carolina Coast: Information for hunting for sea shells along the populated beaches of North and South Carolina, USA.

Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.