North Myrtle Beach – July 16, 2015
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that anglers continue to see some solid inshore fishing around Little River with the area’s big three inshore species—speckled trout, flounder, and red drum.
The flounder have been feeding in the marshes and around inshore structure near Sunset Beach and Tubbs Inlet. Live finger mullet fished on jigheads and Carolina rigs have been the most effective offerings for the flatfish recently, but anglers can also hook up while dragging Gulp baits along the bottom.
Speckled trout are looking for meals around Tubbs Inlet as well, with more good action around Sunset Beach and the Little River crossroads. Live shrimp are tough to beat for the specks, but they’ve also been responding well to finger mullet lately and a variety of lures can be effective as well. Most of the trout are feeding along grass and shell banks, and anglers drifting their offerings down the bank beneath floats are often the most successful. The float approach allows a natural presentation without anglers’ baits being anchored in one spot.
A few red drum are mixed in with the specks and flounder, and anglers are also finding decent numbers in the ICW around inshore structure like docks. Finger mullet will also get attention from the reds.
The mullet are numerous in the area’s creeks and marshes, so anglers should have little difficulty loading up on live baits. This year’s crop have grown into the perfect (4-5”) bait size, and the gamefish are taking notice.
Christopher Felts (age 10) with a 30″ red drum he caught and released near Sunset Beach bridge after it struck a live menhaden. He was fishing with his grandfather Joe Zurad on the “Z-breeze.”
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are still seeing some speckled trout action from Little River to Sunset Beach. The specks are feeding around ICW structure like docks and along grass and shell banks, and anglers can tempt them to bite live shrimp, finger mullet, or peanut menhaden.
Some red drum are looking for meals in the same areas, and the reds are fans of all the same live baits.
Flounder fishing remains decent around the inlets and inshore around creekmouths and structure like docks. Anglers can fool the flatfish by slowly dragging live finger mullet and peanut menhaden along the bottom.
Matt, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that live-baiters had an excellent weekend at the pier, landing good numbers of king mackerel and large spanish mackerel and releasing a tarpon. Live menhaden and bluefish on pin-rigs are drawing the bites from the big fish.
Anglers working Gotcha plugs and mackerel trees from the pier are connecting with good numbers of smaller spanish mackerel and bluefish.
Flounder fishermen have also found plenty of success lately, landing solid numbers of flatfish while soaking live baits beneath the pier (many 3-5 lbs.).
Sheepshead are also looking for meals near the pilings, and they’re biting barnacles and sand fleas that anglers are dangling from the pier.
Bottom fishermen continue to hook a summer mix of sea mullet, croaker, and other panfish on shrimp.
The water is 82 degrees.
