North Myrtle Beach – July 2, 2015
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that there continues to be excellent action with flounder, red drum, and speckled trout for anglers fishing the waters straddling the NC/SC state line.
The flounder bite has been extremely good for anglers fishing in Tubbs Inlet and the ICW near Sunset Beach (with several 5-7 lb. fish recently). Most of the flatfish are falling for live finger mullet dragged along the bottom on jigheads or Carolina rigs. Gulp baits can also be productive with the flounder.
Red drum are also feeding in Tubbs Inlet and around ICW structure near Sunset Beach. Live baits have also been fooling the majority of the reds in the area. More reds are teaming up with ladyfish to attack finger mullet along grass banks near the Little River crossroads, and anglers casting topwater plugs around the activity are hooking up with both.
Black drum are looking for meals around docks, bridges, and other structure throughout the ICW. Live and cut shrimp fished on the bottom are fooling them.
Casting live shrimp beneath popping corks is producing plenty of action with speckled trout, which are using grass and shell banks along with hard structure in the ICW to ambush baits while the current is moving. Red and black drum are also falling for the float-rigged shrimp.
Capt. Chris Bianchi, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, with a 5 lb. flounder that struck a live mullet near Sunset Beach.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that when it’s calm enough to fish around Little River Inlet, anglers should be able to encounter some over-slot red drum. Drifting along the channel edges or rock jetties is the best way to cover water and find the active fish in the inlet, and both live and cut baits like menhaden will produce results.
Anglers are also encountering some reds in Bonaparte Creek and around the Sunset Beach bridge. Live and cut baits have been the most effective offerings inshore as well.
There’s still a good flounder bite in Tubbs Inlet (though most of the fish are on the small side). Some larger flounder are feeding on nearshore reefs in the ocean. Live mud minnows, menhaden, and finger mullet will fool the flatfish inside and out.
Speckled trout are feeding along grass banks and near creek mouths between Little River and Sunset Beach. Anglers are hooking decent numbers during the falling tides while fishing live shrimp under floats.
Kimberly Dean, of Clayton, NC, with a 5.25 lb., 22″ flounder that bit a live menhaden near the Sunset Beach bridge.
Tanner, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that there’s been some good bottom fishing lately. Anglers baiting up with shrimp are hooking sea mullet, croaker, black drum, spadefish, and pompano.
Those fishing small live baits under the pier have been connecting with some keeper flounder.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are taking an interest in Gotcha plugs, mackerel trees, and gold hook rigs that anglers are working from the pier.
