Little River July 19, 2007
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that deep holes and docks in Dunn Sound are holding speckled trout, red drum, flounder, and some big croaker. The most productive way to fish these areas lately has been by casting live shrimp on 1/8 oz. jigheads and very light tackle.
Anglers who can’t get live shrimp can substitute small Gulp shrimp in New Penny and Molting colors, but live shrimp will get the most bites.
The ICW spots have also been producing some trout, flounder, and reds, but the fish are spread out. A run-and-gun approach enables anglers to cover a laot of water and locate feeding fish. The creek mouths and drains off the ICW are good places to begin searching, and anglers should move on to the next spot if they aren’t getting bites in 15 minutes.
A few flounder and trout are coming from around the Sunset Beach Bridge.
Anglers are also hooking up with decent numbers of flounder while fishing the jighead/shrimp combo around Coquina Harbor.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that anglers are catching flounder at nearshore structure, particularly the Jim Caudle Reef. A three-way swivel rig is better than a traditional Carolina rig for the reef flounder fishing, and pogies and finger mullet are the top baits.
Anglers should choose larger, 4”+ flounder baits to avoid constant harassment from the trash fish inhabiting the structure.
Red drum were feeding at the Little River Jetties, but the strong southwest winds have slowed down the drum bite. The good news is that boats are reporting plenty of big (30-50”) drum at bottom structure 5-10 miles offshore, and these fish should be making their way to the jetties to feed over the next few weeks.
Plenty of speckled trout are on the feed in area creeks; however, most are on the small side.
Spadefish are holding on the local reefs, but sea conditions haven’t been favorable for targeting these fish over the past week.
Drew, of North Myrtle Beach Offshore Adventures, reports that king mackerel and dolphin remain the main attraction in area offshore fishing this week. The kings are running from snake size up to solid fish (in the 25 lb. class), and they are holding at a variety of locations 3-30 miles offshore.
Live pogies are the top king baits, but pogies have been somewhat tough to come by over the past week. Anglers are also having good luck by trolling dead cigar minnows.
The dolphin bite has been best in the 20-30 mile range, with a few fish feeding further inshore. Like the kings, the dolphin prefer live baits, but they will strike dead cigar minnows when anglers can’t catch pogies.
Along with the dolphin and kings, boats are hooking up with good numbers of sailfish at spots in 60-80’ of water. Sailfish have been sighted and hooked up at the 65’ Hole, the 70’ Hole, and the Horseshoe over the week.
Brendan, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that the whiting bite is improving for bottom fishermen baiting up with cut shrimp.
Plug casters are catching plenty of smaller bluefish but not many spanish mackerel.
Large spanish (in the 4-6 lb. range) are biting live baits on king rigs, and several kings were caught last week. The largest king weighed 30 lbs.
The water temperature is 80 degrees.
