On the coast of South Carolina, September follows its own rules. The summertime crowds have subsided. Earlier, the light turns golden. The fish have begun to move in ways that make serious anglers extremely happy, and the water temperature is still in the low 80s, which is warm enough for a full day on the pier. In summary, September 19, 2026, is the ideal day to drop a line off the Mount Pleasant Pier, and there will be some friendly competition involved.
The Cast Off Fishing Competition has returned.
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What Is the Cast Off Fishing Tournament?
The Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission (CCPRC) hosts the Cast Off Fishing Tournament, a series of pier fishing contests. It operates year-round at two piers in Charleston County: Folly Beach Pier and Mount Pleasant Pier. The event is scheduled for September 19 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mount Pleasant Pier and is not a six-figure prize deep-sea charter event. Better yet, it’s an accessible fishing competition for people of all ages and skill levels who want a competitive reason to spend a Saturday on one of the top fishing piers on the Carolina coast.
Rain or shine, tournaments take place. To be honest, it’s part of the character to not make excuses, reschedule, or give refunds.
Where: The Mount Pleasant Pier
One of the most famous landmarks in the entire Lowcountry is the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which extends into Charleston Harbor from the Mount Pleasant side. One of the most striking fishing platforms on the East Coast, the pier is situated directly beneath the bridge’s towering cables.
The bridge’s enormous concrete pilings form an underwater metropolis, a multi-layered, intricate structure that draws fish in the same way that coral is drawn to reefs. This section of harbor is frequently traversed by red drum, spotted sea trout, flounder, and sheepshead, especially in the fall when the temperature drops and baitfish congregate close to structures.
There is limited but free parking at the Mount Pleasant Pier. On the day of the tournament, it is imperative that you arrive early.
Locals’ take:
Fish concentrate near the pilings at certain tide stages because of current patterns created by the Mount Pleasant Pier’s location beneath the Ravenel Bridge. Locals heavily fish the incoming tide, focusing on the eastern pilings where bait is forced into the structure by the current. It is worthwhile to check the direction of the tide on September 19 before arriving.
When: September 19, 2026
The tournament is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pre-registration is not necessary, so the barrier to entry is refreshingly low. Registration opens on-site the morning of the event.
The timing of September is not coincidental. Some of the most productive pier fishing of the year occurs on the South Carolina coast during the fall fishing transition. Sea trout with spots return to the shallows of the harbor. Before going offshore, flounders stack up close to the structure. During feeding runs, red drum cruise the harbor flats. At Cast Off tournaments, the important fish typically arrive in large quantities in September.
Who Can Fish: Registration and Categories
One of the reasons the Cast Off is worth reporting as a travel destination event rather than merely a local fishing note is that it is open to all ages and skill levels.
Registration fees:
- Ages 13 and up: $12
- Military members: $9
- Seniors (60 and up): $9
- Youth (12 and under): $9
- Fishing Pass members: $5
Adult chaperones are required for anglers aged 15 and under, which is a sensible rule for a pier that extends into an active harbor.
Prize categories:
- Biggest 3 Fish by Weight
- Biggest Youth Catch (12 and under)
- Best 5 Fish Total Weight
Each angler can only win in one category, which keeps the competition fair and prevents anyone from dominating the board. The youth category deserves special attention because it gives younger anglers a genuine chance to win something meaningful, transforming the tournament into a legitimate family event rather than an adult competition with children watching from the sidelines.
What most visitors don’t know:
The pier staff includes knowledgeable anglers who can provide legitimate tips rather than simply handing you a bait bucket and waving goodbye. If you’ve never fished Charleston Harbor before and aren’t sure what to look for, it’s worth asking the staff before you put your lines in the water.
Gear, Bait, and What to Bring
The Mount Pleasant Pier rents equipment on-site, sells tackle, and provides frozen bait, so arriving without a rod is a perfectly viable option, particularly for first-timers or families who do not want to travel with fishing gear.
Aside from tackle, bring sunscreen. September at Charleston Harbor means full sun exposure on open water, with limited shade due to the pier’s orientation. Bring some water, too. A snack bar is available on-site, but bringing water for a seven-hour tournament is common sense.
What to wear:
Layers. September mornings on Charleston Harbor can be surprisingly cool before 9 a.m., especially if the wind is off the water. By 11 a.m., the weather should be warm. By 1 p.m., it may be hot. Dressing in layers addresses all three scenarios without requiring a return trip to the car.
Nearby Day Trips: Making a Weekend of It
The Cast Off lasts seven hours, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. That leaves the entire afternoon, evening, and rest of the weekend free to explore what could be the most diverse day-trip destination on the Carolina coast.
Historic Charleston is approximately 15 minutes from the Mount Pleasant Pier. The Battery, Rainbow Row, Charleston City Market, and King Street’s restaurant scene are all easily accessible for post-tournament exploration.
Sullivan’s Island, located just north of the pier access area, is a quiet, architecturally beautiful beach town with some of the best low-key dining near Charleston, as well as excellent surf fishing at the island’s inlet.
Isle of Palms is located minutes north and offers a full beach experience on the Atlantic, including options for families looking for sand and surf after a morning of harbor fishing.
Folly Beach, which hosted its own Cast Off Tournament dates earlier in the series, is about 30 minutes south, worth knowing if September 19 fills up and you need another tournament date.
Locals’ take:
Mount Pleasant has evolved over the last decade into a destination rather than merely a suburb. Shem Creek, just a few minutes from the pier, provides waterfront dining with boats coming in and out throughout the afternoon. After spending the morning chasing the same species, the post-tournament flounder and spotted sea trout on the menu at a Shem Creek restaurant tastes different.
Sponsors and the Organization Behind It
The Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission, one of South Carolina’s most active public recreation agencies, hosts the Cast Off Fishing Tournament series. CCPRC manages both the Mount Pleasant Pier and the Folly Beach Pier, runs programs at more than a dozen county facilities, and has established a reputation for making outdoor recreation truly accessible to people of all income levels, which the tournament’s low entry fees reflect directly.
Sponsor information for the 2026 series is listed as “Presented By” and “Supported By” on the official CCPRC event page at ccprc.com; check there for current brand partnerships, as sponsors can change by tournament date.
Planning Your Stay
September is one of the best months to visit the South Carolina coast, with shoulder season rates, beautiful weather, and an event calendar jam-packed with activities like this. If you’re coming in from out of town for the Cast Off and want to make the trip a full weekend in Charleston, Travelocity provides a straightforward comparison of hotel rates in Mount Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, and downtown. Prices vary greatly between properties, even within a few miles, and weekends in September fill up faster than expected.
Traveling on a budget? A Red Roof Inn in Mount Pleasant or North Charleston offers clean, well-located lodging close to the pier without paying downtown Charleston rates during a tournament weekend. The pier, Shem Creek, Sullivan’s Island, and Isle of Palms are all easily accessible.
FAQ: Cast Off Fishing Tournament, September 19, 2026
Where is the Cast Off Fishing Tournament on September 19, 2026?
The Mount Pleasant Pier is located at 1 Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, Mount Pleasant, SC 29415. The pier extends into Charleston Harbor, directly beneath the Ravenel Bridge.
What time does the tournament take place?
From 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 19, 2026. Registration begins on-site the morning of the event.
How much does it cost to enter?
$12 for ages 13 and up, $9 for military, seniors (60 and older), and youth (12 and under), and $5 for CCPRC Fishing Pass holders.
What fish can I catch at Mount Pleasant Pier?
The most commonly caught species include red drum, spotted sea trout, flounder, and sheepshead. The pier’s location beneath the Ravenel Bridge provides ideal fish habitat near the bridge pilings.
Do I have to bring my own gear?
No. The pier provides equipment rentals, tackle, and frozen bait on-site. Staff can also provide fishing tips to those unfamiliar with the harbor.
Is the tournament suitable for children?
Yes, there is a dedicated youth category (12 and under) with its own prizes, and children’s entry fees are $9. Adult chaperones are required for anglers aged 15 and under.
Will the tournament be canceled if it rains?
No, Cast Off tournaments take place regardless of the weather.
The Carolina coast has its share of marquee events, including charter tournaments offshore, seafood festivals, and summer beach concerts, but the Cast Off is unique. It’s an early wake-up call, a few hours on a harbor pier in the golden light of a September Saturday, and the very real possibility that a twelve-year-old from Mount Pleasant will outfish everyone. This coast excels at having days like that.
For more Carolina vacation area guides and Carolina coastal travel inspiration, keep exploring explorecarolinabeaches.com
September has more going on than just this. Check our full Carolina Coast Festival & Events Guide for everything happening up and down the coast this fall.
Planning a Carolina beach trip? Use our Beach Finder Quiz to get a personalized recommendation, or compare any two beaches side by side with the Carolina Beach Comparison Tool.