North Myrtle – April 27, 2017
Mark, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that the trout fishing is picking up, and anglers are catching them on Vudu shrimp.
The flounder fishing is improving every day, and although the fish are short, there are more keepers. Vudu shrimp should do the trick on the flatfish, along with mud minnows on a Carolina rig.
Redfish are all around the docks in the ICW and creek mouths and will take fresh cut shrimp, chunks of blue crab, and Vudu shrimp. Pro-Cure can really make a difference, too.
There are plenty of black drum around, in the 1-2 lb. range, and those looking for them should cast fresh cut shrimp around docks.
Anglers are starting to see kings right off the beach in 40’ of water, and the cobia should start coming through this week.
Bill Seddinger, of North Myrtle Beach, with 21.5” flounder caught on a Caroling rig and a live mud minnow.
Patrick, of Captain Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that there are a few speckled trout around, and those targeting them should use artificials like Vudu or Gulp shrimp.
Black drum in the area can be targeted with fresh shrimp, and the reds are showing an interest in mud minnows on 1/4 oz. jigheads. Look for the drum around Tubbs Inlet, the ICW, Dunn Sound, Little River Inlet, and Calabash River.
Flounder have started moving back into the area, but most are in the 13-14” range. Those looking for the larger flatfish should head to the Cherry Grove area.
Bob, of Strange Magic Fishing Charters, reports that the redfish and black drum bite is starting to turn on. The black drum are hanging out in the deeper holes in the creeks and ICW, and casting shrimp is the best way to connect with the fish, especially the bigger drum.
The redfish are taking mud minnows, mainly when anglers are targeting grass and shell banks in the ICW and around creeks.
The speckled trout bite has slowed a bit, but anglers can still connect with the fish in the early mornings with MirrOlures and Gulp soft plastics.
Flounder are beginning to show up in the area, but they are still small and under-slot for now.
David, of Low Country Fishing Charters, reports that nearshore the chopper bluefish bite is starting to dwindle down in the area, but king mackerel, in the 30-40 lb. range, are starting to appear. These teenagers are showing up in 65’ of water, and slow trolling cigar minnows is the way to connect.
False albacore are in area waters and will put up a good fight for anglers on light tackle.
It shouldn’t be too long until the spanish start to show up closer to shore, with menhaden also making appearances in the area. A few spanish have already been caught around 7 miles offshore.
Some of the springtime bull reds are passing through, and anglers should look for them around nearshore wrecks and typical beach structure. Blue crab chunks or cut/frozen mullet on the bottom should connect if the fish are around.
The black sea bass bite has slowed nearshore, as the warmer water is pushing them further offshore.
Inshore, there is a little speckled trout action on artificial shrimp under popping corks.
Those looking to connect with black drum in the area can use shrimp. Flounder are moving back in, and around 1 in 5 is keeper sized. Use live mud minnows or scented artificials like Gulp or Z-Man to hook the flatfish.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that the boats heading to the Gulf Stream bottom fishing are connecting with beeliners, grunts, triggerfish, and large porgies. Amberjack, African pompano, and rudderfish have also been landed, and there were several cobia and grouper releases.
Boats trolling have connected with many blackfin tuna around the Blackjack Hole.
Atlantic bonito have been landed 10 miles off the beach, and early season kings and spanish were reported in the same areas. All have been falling for trolled spoons.
Bottom fishing a little closer to shore has produced black sea bass, porgies, and a few more Atlantic sharpnose sharks that have moved back into the area.
Michael, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that the pier has had the first two kings of the year landed, weighing in at 32.7 and 14.12 lbs.
The run of bluefish has continued in the area, with large fish over 30” being brought over the rails.
Those bottom fishing are connecting with sea mullet.
The water temperature is 72 degrees.
