North Myrtle – May 11, 2017
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that the trout have been active and are hitting artificials like topwater plugs, MirrOlures, and Vudu and Gulp shrimp under a popping cork. Anglers should target ledges and drop-offs around the waterways, in depths of 5-13’.
The rat reds are around, and anglers are connecting with fish in the 17-20” range on Gulp shrimp or mud minnows.
Black drum are hanging on structure and oyster beds, and they will take fresh shrimp.
Flounder are moving back into the inlets, and though most anglers are connecting with under-slot fish, the larger 15”+ fish are slowly starting to reappear.
Jim Bray with a redfish caught in the Little River on a live mud minnow. He was fishing with Capt. David Cutler of Low Country Fishing Charters.
Bob, of Strange Magic Charters, reports that the flounder bite has picked up, with keeper-sized fish now in the mix with the smaller ones. Mud minnows and Gulp soft plastics are the best bet for fooling the flatfish.
Redfish have been around, but the action has slowed for now.
Black drum are providing most of the action for inshore anglers, and they should be targeted with fresh shrimp. Look for both flounder and black drum around structure.
David, of Low Country Fishing Charters, reports that inshore the shrimp are starting to show up, and the speckled trout are biting on both live and artificial shrimp.
The flounder are also starting to move further inshore, with the appearance of the tiger minnows and a few schools of mullet in the creeks. Target the flatfish on white Gulp baits and live baits (like mud minnows).
The redfish should start biting baitfish again soon, as they are transitioning from crabs.
Nearshore, the spanish are starting to show up, along with king mackerel. Both are following the menhaden that are off the beach.
A few cobia have been caught off of bait balls (NC waters, not SC).
Kings in the 15 lb. class are out in 65’ of water.
Aubrey Hunter, of Conway, SC, with trout and red drum caught in Little River. He was fishing with Chilly Water Fishing Charters.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that boats headed offshore have connected with both grouper and American red snapper (catch and release only) when dropping to the bottom. Anglers are also limiting out on beeliners, triggerfish, grunts, and porgies, and those looking for a fight have enjoyed hauling up rudderfish and amberjack.
Mahi, kings, and African pompano have been landed in the same areas on drift lines.
Outside the inlet about 10 miles, the spanish have started to show up. The black sea bass bite continues to be good, and the shark bite is picking up as waters warm.
Ronnie, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers are catching spanish and bluefish from the end of the pier, and they’re having the most success with both species using Gotcha plugs and spanish gold hook rigs.
Those dropping shrimp to the bottom are connecting with whiting and croaker, and anglers using live minnows have landed black drum, as well as smaller flounder in the 12” range.
