Cast Off Fishing Tournament at Folly Beach Pier

The Cast Off Fishing Tournament Series returns to Folly Beach Pier for four separate competition days across the 2026 season: May 16, June 20, September 12, and October 3. Each tournament runs from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (fall dates shift to 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for September and October), with no preregistration required. You simply register on-site the morning of each event. The pier, managed by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission and located at 101 E. Arctic Ave. in Folly Beach, extends 1,045 feet into the Atlantic, giving anglers one of the longest ocean pier fishing platforms on the South Carolina coast. The tournament is presented by Charleston Cotton Exchange.

Entry fees run $12 for ages 13 and up, $9 for military personnel and seniors 60 and over, $9 for youth ages 3 to 12, and $5 for Fishing Pass Members. Prize categories cover Biggest 3 Fish by Weight, Biggest Youth Catch for anglers 12 and under, and Best 5 Fish Total Weight. An adult chaperone is required for participants 15 and under. All tournaments run rain or shine. Common catches off the Folly Pier include bluefish, sheepshead, spotted sea trout, and whiting. The pier’s on-site tackle shop, equipment rentals, and frozen bait counter serve beginners and experienced anglers equally, which is a significant part of why the Cast Off draws a broad range of participants rather than only tournament veterans.

The Pier Itself Is Worth a Visit

Even outside tournament days, Folly Beach Pier is among the more unusual structures on the South Carolina coast. The pier was built to accommodate recreational fishing and public access to ocean waters that are otherwise reachable only by boat, and its 1,045-foot reach means you are fishing over water that runs considerably deeper than the inner surf zone. At dawn on a tournament morning, the pier’s lights and the sound of lines being cast into low light over the Atlantic is a scene that stays with visitors longer than most tournament weigh-ins. Parking fees apply at the Folly Pier lots; plan to arrive by 5:30 a.m. on tournament mornings for the best options close to the entrance.

If You’re Going with Kids
The pier’s staff are well practiced at helping younger anglers get their first bites. Equipment rentals include rods sized for younger participants. An adult chaperone is required for anglers 15 and under regardless of experience level. May and early June offer the most forgiving morning temperatures before the South Carolina coast settles into full summer heat.

Folly Beach and Charleston Beyond the Pier

Folly Beach itself is one of the few beach communities near a major city that has maintained a low-key, lived-in character without heavy resort development. The short stretch of Center Street running from the pier toward the main beach is lined with casual seafood restaurants, surf shops, and ice cream stands that suit a post-tournament afternoon well. Fort Sumter National Monument, a 30-minute ferry ride from Charleston’s waterfront, is one of the most historically significant sites in the country for families with children studying American history. The fort sits in Charleston Harbor where the first shots of the Civil War were fired in April 1861, and ranger-led programs run throughout the visit season.

Where to Stay Near the Water

Folly Beach and its surrounding communities offer short-term rentals ranging from oceanfront cottages to neighborhood homes within walking distance of the pier. For a broader search of waterfront stays near Charleston’s coast, look on Lake.com for properties that position you within easy reach of the Folly Pier and the surrounding Lowcountry waterways. Tournament weekends in summer book steadily; plan accommodations at least four to six weeks in advance of your chosen date.