North Myrtle – September 1, 2016
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with speckled trout in the Little River Inlet on fresh shrimp. Trout are also hanging out in the Calabash River, and all can be targeted with Gulp jerk shad on a 1/4 oz. jighead.
There have been reds reported around Sunset Beach Bridge, and they’re biting mullet and shrimp.
The flounder bite is strong around Tubbs Inlet, and they will take both live mullet on a Carolina rig and Gulp jerk shad on a jighead. The flounder have some size to them, with many 3 lb. fish being reported.
Matt Roberson, of Raleigh, with a 25 speckled trout caught on a live finger mullet. He was fishing near Little River with Capt. Greg Holmes of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters.
David, of Low Country Fishing Charters, reports that plenty of mullet has moved into the area, and fall fishing is ramping up. Numerous small reds in the 15-18” range are being caught in the area, as well as small to legal-sized speckled trout. Most anglers are hooking both fish using small mullet minnows or shrimp, either on a popping cork or a Carolina rig.
Big bulls are also slowly moving back into area waters, with 1 or 2 reported caught and released.
Small kings can be found in 50’ of water along with big spanish. Dead cigar minnows are working better than live bait this time of year to hook the fish. Those looking for big kings need to head out to 100’ of water.
Trolling cigar minnows and blue/white skirts in 65’ has tempted bites from hungry sailfish.
Brenda Gerding and Brandon Sauls with a 4.5 lb. gator trout caught in the Shallotte River on live bait.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that fishing in the Gulf Stream has been productive, with boats returning with vermillion snapper, grunts, triggerfish, grouper, amberjack, and large African pompano.
Kings have been hooked roughly 40 miles out, and dropping down to bottom fish in this range has produced grouper, jacks, grunts, vermillions, and triggerfish as well.
Boats heading to the continental shelf are hooking black sea bass, small porgies, pigfish, and Atlantic sharpnose sharks.
Half-day boats heading just outside Little River Inlet are connecting with spanish mackerel. Black tip sharks are being found not too far from the sea buoy, and barracuda are hanging out over the barges and the Sherman Wreck.
Matt, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that the bite is best for anglers when the pier opens at 6:00 until about 10:30 am. Anglers fishing with bloodworms are hooking up with panfish, whiting, and perch.
Large black and red drum have been reported, with the black drum being hooked using live or fresh shrimp and the reds falling for live mullet.
The run of pogies and fresh mullet has also brought back the speckled trout bite, so anglers should look to target the fish with similar baits.
Low oxygen levels in the water have pushed flounder out to the pier waters as well. Anglers have been landing 18-20” fish.
The spanish and blues are running off the end of the pier, and gold hook rigs are the go-to for these migratory fish.
The water is 85 degrees.
