Little River April 26, 2007
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that they are finding large slot and over-slot sized drum in the waterway. The shallow areas around the mouths of feeder creeks are where the drum are feeding.
A Gulp bait on a 1/8 oz. jighead is the way to hook up with these drum. There are also some nice drum holding at the Little River jetties.
The Sunset Beach Bridge is still holding speckled trout, but not as many as in March. A 1/2 oz. D.O.A. shrimp in chartreuse is the best artificial lure. Live shrimp will far and away outfish articials for anglers who can find them.
Flounder around 14” are mixed in with the drum and trout.
The inshore water temperatures are still in the low 60’s, and as they rise over the next weeks, the inshore fishing should improve dramatically.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that the trout bite is wide open, but only for anglers who can procure live shrimp. The trout have gotten a taste of the real thing, and they are now turning up their noses at imitations. The Sunset Beach Bridge and surrounding areas have been holding the most trout lately.
Flounder fishing has picked up and is getting better every day. The best method of hooking up with a flatfish in the area is by drifting live mud minnows on Carolina rigs in Tubbs or Cherry Grove Inlets. There are also a fair number of fish around the Sunset Beach Bridge.
Red drum are thick at the Little River jetties, and they’re running in the upper-slot to over-slot size. Cast live mud minnows on Carolina rigs into the rocks to hook up with the reds.
Black drum from 3-5 lbs. are also hanging around the Little River jetties, and they will fall for fresh or live shrimp fished on the bottom or under a float.
Larry, of Voyager Charters, reports that Gulf Stream action has been hot since the winds laid down. There are finally some low 70’s water temperatures within range of local boats, and wahoo up to 60 lbs., yellowfin tuna in the 30-40 lb. class, and 20+ lb. dolphin are numerous and hungry in the warm blue water.
Action has been particularly hot around the Scarp, but look for solid bites around the 100/400 and Blackjack Hole as well. Rigged ballyhoo underneath skirted lures will draw strikes from all the bluewater species.
The main concentration of king mackerel is still holding 45-50 miles offshore, and the fish are responding well to trolled Drone Spoons and ballyhoo.
Bottom fishing has been excellent of late, with anglers filling fish boxes with grouper, beeliners, triggerfish, sea bass, and rudderfish on every trip.
