North Myrtle – October 13, 2016
Mark, of Shallow Minded Fishing Charters, reports that fishing the past week has been some of the best red drum fishing of the year. Every fish caught was over-slot, and anglers looking to target the big reds should cast lines around the Little River Inlet. Use live or cut pogies on a 1.5 oz. Carolina rig when trying to hook the old fish.
Connie Brandon with a red drum caught and released nearshore around the Cherry Grove Pier. The fish ate a live pinfish.
David, of Low Country Fishing Charters, reports the before the storm, black drum were being caught in the backwaters on live or fresh shrimp dropped on a bottom rig. The fish were just over keeper sized, 15-17”.
The trout bite had just started to come back, but anglers will have to wait and see what will happen after Matthew.
Prior to the hurricane, the kings were biting strong off the beach, in 65’ of water all the way to the beach. Slow troll live menhaden to connect with these seasonal fish.
The bull reds have returned to the beachfront post-hurricane, and they can be found around scattered schools of pogies in about 12’ of water. The standard Carolina rig with pogies or chunk bait has proven effective in hooking the large fish.
Brantley Reynolds, of Bolivia, with an 8.5 lb. flounder caught in Lockwood Folly. The fish fell for a live minnow.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that fishing as of last week in the Gulf was consistent, with stringers coming in full of beeliners, grunts, triggerfish, amberjack, and grouper.
The charters heading out of Little River Inlet trolling are connecting with spanish mackerel, bonita, and blacktip sharks.
The offshore trolling and bottom fishing combination trips were connecting with small mahi and king mackerel when trolling. After dropping lines down to the bottom, anglers hooked triggerfish, grunts, grouper, and beeliners.
Fishing may be hard over the next week, but with the winds out of the north predicted, the sea should lay down and the bottom settle. It takes a few days for that to happen, but anglers can expect to cast lines successfully again by Saturday.
Cherry Grove Pier is still standing after the storm, but it does have some damage in the mid-section. The pier will reopen to the public as soon as power is restored, though the king tournament scheduled for this weekend will not be occurring.
