North Myrtle Beach – August 18, 2016
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with redfish, both under and over-slot. Use live shrimp, finger mullet, or Gulp soft plastics to connect with the reds, and chunking cut mullet may tempt bites from bigger fish that are starting to show up in the area.
Flounder fishing is staying strong in area waters, and fishing a Gulp shrimp on a jighead is a surefire way to connect to the flatfish.
The speckled trout bite is on in the early morning hours, before the heat sets in, and they will take topwater or a live shrimp fished under a popping cork. Some anglers have also had the fish hit Gulp soft plastics on a jighead.
Black drum are in the area, and anglers should expect to hook up with many under-sized fish when fishing with live or fresh shrimp.
Nearshore, the shark fishing has been strong, with anglers connecting with Atlantic sharpnose and blacktip sharks. Kings and spanish are also right off the beach.
Jon McGlocklin, of Charlotte, NC, with a guitarfish caught on a shrimp off Myrtle Beach State Park Pier.
David, of Low Country Fishing Charters, reports that inshore the redfish bite has turned on. Anglers should fish mullet on Carolina rigs along oyster beds or float a shrimp under a popping cork to connect. The reds that are being caught are at the bottom of the slot (18-20”), with the occasional over-slot fish being netted.
The speckled trout bite is holding steady, but expect smaller fish, and anglers have been finding fewer flounder in the area. Both the specks and flatfish will take live finger mullet when they’re biting.
Nearshore, the spanish bite has slowed quite a bit, with the fish moving into deeper, cooler water, but expect some success on pretty days.
Offshore, 100’ of water has been the place to go for quality bottom fish. Grouper, gray snapper, and vermillion have all been biting recently. Sailfish have also been reported in the 50 mile range.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that the Gulf Stream fishing has been great, with bottom anglers connecting with beeliners, grunts, triggerfish, porgies, and gag and scamp grouper. Anglers have also connected with African pompano and amberjack, and the bite has stayed consistent even with the heat.
Trolling in the bluewater has anglers hooking up with king mackerel, mahi, and sailfish.
Half-day nearshore trips have focused on spanish mackerel as well as barracuda. The warm waters have also made for great shark fishing, with blacktip sharks landed regularly.
The half-day party fishing boat has anglers bringing black sea bass, sharpnose sharks, small porgies, and pigfish onto the decks.
Mark, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers are bringing small whiting, pompano, and a few flounder over the rails. There was a recent run of spadefish, but the king and spanish bite has slacked off in the heat.
