North Myrtle Beach – May 25, 2017
Ken, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that flounder have been the most aggressive fish in the area this past week. The sizes of the flatfish have ranged from 12-22”, but the majority of the fish have been in the 15-18” range. Vudu shrimp worked on the bottom has been the ticket for the flounder, and the key has been to cast to the marsh line and then work the bait to the ledges and breaks very slowly. Anglers have found the most success with soft plastics in clear with gold flake (and clear with red and black flake).
Speckled trout are still feeding in the area, although they seem to be a bit smaller than weeks past. Most specks caught have been in the 16-18” range. Try throwing Vudu shrimp in 3-5′ of water, or you can increase your chances even more by casting out live shrimp under a float.
Redfish have been mixed in the same areas as the flounder and trout.
Jeff Deamer with a gag grouper caught on a live pinfish in 120′ of water. He was fishing with Capt. Kevin Sneed of Rigged and Ready Charters.
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that red drum have been active, and most of the fish have been in the 18-21” range. They’ve been hitting 1/4 oz. jigheads tipped with mud minnows. The black drum have been mixed in with the reds, and they’re biting fresh shrimp.
The speckled trout bite in the area remains good. Popping corks with live shrimp or live mud minnows has been the best tactic for getting the trout to bite. Vudu shrimp in cajun pepper and chartreuse, as well as Gulp jerk shads in pearl, are getting the job done.
Some flounder have been caught in the same areas as the trout using Gulp baits or mud minnows, but most of the flatfish are on the smaller side (and no great numbers yet either).
David, of Low Country Fishing Charters, reports that inshore anglers have found flounder in the 16-18” range in higher numbers. Mud minnows, mullet, and shrimp have all worked well.
The red drum have been hitting in the backwaters mostly on fresh shrimp. Fishing structure along the waterway and in the creeks is key. Black drum (17-18+”) have been mixed in the same areas as the reds.
Speckled trout are still hanging around the area, but most fish have been on the smaller side and under keeper size. Live mud minnows on floats are producing the best numbers of trout.
Bonnethead sharks have shown up at the area jetties. Fishing crab chunks on the bottom has produced plenty of shark action, along with a bull redfish here and there.
Nearshore, boats trolling for spanish using Clarkspoons size 00 will find success. Anglers targeting spanish can also expect to see plenty of small bluefish in the same areas.
Within 10 miles, boats will find a king mackerel bite when trolling cigar minnows. While trolling, be on the lookout for cobia to start showing up any day now.
Brandon Jaden, of Cherry Grove, with a 5 lb. bonito caught while fishing from the end of Cherry Grove Pier.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that anglers fishing nearshore to 5 miles have connected with plenty of keeper-sized spanish and blacktip sharks.
Targeting the 40 mile range and heading southeast of Little River Inlet has been the go to area for kings. Trolling Drone spoons and rigged ballyhoo has been the best method when targeting kings.
Bottom fishing has yielded scamp grouper, gag grouper, red snapper, vermilion snapper, triggerfish, grunts, and amberjacks. Drift lines rigged with cigar minnows are producing good numbers of mahi while bottom fishing. Kings have also been mixed in with the mahi.
Ronnie, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that spanish and bluefish have been striking gold hook rigs. Black drum have been consistent and willing to take fresh shrimp, while sheepshead have been feeding on barnacles. Whiting and croaker have preferred fresh shrimp.
Sharks and stingrays have also been in the mix, and anglers are connecting with them on a variety of cut and fresh baits.
