Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that red drum are feeding throughout area waters. Anglers are hooking up with slot to just over slot reds in the ICW around the Little River Crossroads and Sunset Beach Bridge, and they’re catching larger ones at the Little River jetties. Live shrimp and finger mullet fished on Carolina rigs are producing most of the reds.
Speckled trout, a few flounder, ladyfish, bonnet head sharks, and some big whiting are also feeding around the jetties. A live shrimp fished close to the rocks under a float will attract interest from all these fish.
In Dunn Sound, anglers are catching speckled trout, some flounder, and smaller red drum on Gulp baits and live shrimp fished on 1/8 oz. jigheads. Trout are also feeding around the Sunset Beach Bridge during the rising tide.
Drew, of North Myrtle Beach Offshore Adventures, reports that the high temperatures have chased the king mackerel out to deeper, cooler water. Most of the fish are holding at spots in 70’ of water and deeper. The kings are also feeding deep in the water column, so anglers should use downriggers to fish their baits 50’ or more below the surface.
Live pogies have been drawing most of the king bites, and there have been plenty of pogies along the beach just outside the jetties all week.
Bottom fishermen are catching sea bass and beeliners around the BP 25 wreck. Red, scamp, and gag groupers, along with red snapper, are all feeding at deeper structure.
The Gulf Stream bite has been slow due to the high water temperatures.
Brendan, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers bottom fishing with shrimp are landing a mixed bag of whiting, pompano, and red drum.
A few flounder are taking an interest in live shrimp and mud minnows fished on Carolina rigs.
Plug casters are hooking up with some bluefish but not many spanish mackerel.
The water temperature is 84 degrees.