Hilton Head / Charles C. Haigh Jr. Fishing Pier is a Lowcountry tidal-creek and sound fishery on the island's inland side, shaped by marsh edges, dock structure, and strong tidal exchange. Red drum, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, and southern flounder are the principal supported targets.
Current Coastal Rating
Fair · 63
Beta
Conditions are fair, but confidence is reduced because some coastal inputs are partial or prediction-based.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Should I Go?
Trip conditions only. Target-species activity and seasonal fishery patterns are not yet included.
Consider
Trip conditions may be workable, but important cautions or data limitations remain.
Medium confidence — The recommendation is usable, but one or more inputs are regional, proxied, stale, or incomplete.
Evaluates trip conditions using weather, tides, currents, waves, daylight, and active alerts.
This coastal rating is in public beta.
Missing waves are not calm. Forecast is not an observation. Prediction is not an observation.
Because this rating is in public beta, recommendations are capped at Consider when evidence is limited.
Service Status
Degraded
Coastal conditions are partial, stale, or predictions-only.
Recommended window
Tuesday · 12:00 PM–3:00 PM EDT
Window score
81
Max wind
10 mph
Max gust
17 mph
Daylight
100% of window
Tide state
rising
Why
Strong daylight coverage supports the evaluated window.
Watch for
Tide timing uses a nearby prediction proxy.
Coastal conditions can change quickly. Review official alerts and current conditions before heading out.
Skull Creek, north entrance, Hilton Head Island · NOAA 8668918
This nearby station is used for tide timing. Predicted height does not represent exact water depth or exposed-flat conditions at this destination.
Predicted Tidal Current
Predicted
Tidal-current predictions are not available for this destination.
Tidal-current timing can differ from high and low tide timing.
Fishery Profile
Fishery Overview
Hilton Head Haigh Fishing Pier fishery
A bounded Hilton Head public fishing pier at the Charles C. Haigh Jr. Fishing Pier on McKay Creek / ICW.
Fishery type
Sound harbor
Estuary
Fishing modes
Shore
Habitat and structure
Charles C. Haigh Jr. Fishing Pier deck and pilings · McKay Creek / ICW on Hilton Head
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Aug 23, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Fishery Targets
Red drum, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, and southern flounder are representative Hilton Head creek/ICW pier targets. Seasonal timing varies by species.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Red drum
Primary
Sciaenops ocellatus
Also called Redfish
Currently in a typical seasonal window
Typical seasonal window: AUGUST — NOVEMBER
May also be present outside this peak window.
South Carolina inshore and structure fishing.
Spotted seatrout
Primary
Cynoscion nebulosus
No seasonal pulse known
Sound, creek, and pier-adjacent water.
Sheepshead
Secondary
Archosargus probatocephalus
No seasonal pulse known
Pier piling and rock structure.
Southern flounder
Secondary
Paralichthys lethostigma
No seasonal pulse known
Sand and channel edges.
Typical Seasonal Targets
Red drum — AUGUST — NOVEMBER
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
How to Fish Hilton Head / Charles C. Haigh Jr. Fishing Pier
Typical October approaches include pier and surf casting for Red drum.
Pier and surf casting
Cast jigs, paddle tails, and swimming plugs along the pier, wash, and bait seams.
Best for
Red drum
Modes
Shore
Setup
Ocean-pier casting setup
Common Tackle Setups
Ocean-pier casting setup
Shore spinning tackle for pier and adjacent surf.
Rod
Medium to medium-heavy spinning rod long enough to clear pier railings.
Reel
Spinning reel with a reliable drag.
Main line
Braided main line with abrasion resistance near pilings.
Leader
Fluorocarbon or abrasion-resistant leader.
Terminal tackle
Jig heads matched to current and wind.
Presentation
Use the Current Coastal Rating for conditions.
Used for
Pier and surf casting
Typical October Lures and Flies
Common lure and fly families associated with this month’s techniques.
Minnow-style swimming plug
Lure
Red drum
Shallow to midwater · Steady, twitch, pause
Cast across seams and let the plug track with the current
Soft-plastic paddle tail
Lure
Red drum
Shallow, Midwater, Variable · Steady, twitch, jig
Swim steadily through seams or hop lightly near bottom transitions
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Coastal conditions can vary over short distances. Predictions and remote observations are planning information, not guarantees of access or safety.
Bounded Charles C. Haigh Jr. public fishing pier on McKay Creek / ICW, Hilton Head. This is not generic Hilton Head surf, not Harbour Town private water, and not Port Royal Sound.
Charleston 8665530 is not Hilton Head.
Wind, gust, and wave observations are not available for this location.