North Myrtle Beach – April 12, 2018
Ken, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that the trout have been biting steadily, mainly back in the creeks around deep holes and in creek mouths. These fish are ranging from 16-20”, with the baits of choice being Trout Tricks in the mood ring and opening night colors. The falling tides have produced the most speckled trout.
The flounder bite has begun to pick up, with reports of fish between 14-17”. The key to finding these fish has been working deep holes at the bends of narrow creeks, and using 3/8 oz. jig heads or light Carolina rigs tipped with mud minnows. Setting up on sand bars at lower tides and targeting drop-offs has also proved successful for these residential flatfish.
Redfish have also been present, with many lower-slot fish being found around feeder creeks and larger creek mouths. Using jig heads with Trout Tricks, as well as mud minnows, has enticed these fish to bite. The larger drum (up to 28”) have been caught in deep creek potholes.
Travis Stella with a 8.6 lb. speckled trout that destroyed a 3″ new penny Gulp shrimp on a 1/4 oz. jig head around North Myrtle Beach.
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that the redfish bite has been great. These fish, ranging from 15-28”, are mainly being found in shallow water, as well as around docks and potholes. Using 1/4 oz. jig heads with mud minnows or Gulp shrimp in the new penny and molting colors has been productive.
Black drum have been feeding steadily. They’re ranging from 12-18” and are biting on fresh shrimp. Lately, the key to catching them has been throwing jig heads tipped with the shrimp. Those targeting black drum should focus on fishing around oyster beds, docks, and drop-offs.
The speckled trout bite has slowed down, but a few can still be found here and there.
Bob, of Strange Magic Fishing Charters, reports that the cold winter weather pattern is finally breaking up. Redfish are being caught in fairly decent numbers, but the fish are mainly on the small side. Fishing creek mouths and edges with moving water has been the most productive. Mud minnows and fresh shrimp on jig heads or Carolina rigs, as well as an assortment of artificial presentations, are all working. Retrievinging the artificials slowly is key as the water remains cold.
Black drum are starting to show up in a lot of the same areas as the reds. Fresh shrimp is working the best on the black drum.
Speckled trout have been more of a challenge, with lower numbers due to the fish kill/stun event back in January, but they can still be hunted down in a lot of the regular places. Slow down your presentations of MirrOlures or jig heads with Gulp, and be patient. Also try different color patterns. Areas with steadily moving water are your best bet.
Flounder are starting to show up in the creeks as well. Most are on the small side, but there have been a few keepers reported. Dragging mud minnows on the bottom has worked the best.
Keith, of North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters, reports that the red drum are biting steadily, mainly in deeper holes. The key to catching these fish, ranging from 15-18”, has been shrimp on Carolina rigs.
Some black drum are also being caught in these deep holes. They are feeding on shrimp as well, and have been in the 14-16” range.
A few undersized flounder have been landed, and they’re falling for mud minnows on the bottom.
Some small trout can be found in the back creeks. Most are between 12-14”, and they’re coming from the deeper holes.
Offshore, the black sea bass bite has been great in 60-70’ of water. Dropping down squid and cut bait has produced good numbers of fish.
Out at the Gulf Stream, both wahoo and blackfin are present. Trolling ballyhoo and lures in 180-220’ of water has been the most productive for these pelagics.
Cole, from Canada, with his first saltwater fish, a bluefish. He was fishing with Capt. Bob Strange of Strange Magic Fishing Charters.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that the half day headboats have been catching good numbers of black sea bass and ringtail porgies. Most of these fish are being caught in the 5-8 mile range. In a few weeks, as the water temperature increases, expect the Atlantic bonito and spanish mackerel to begin showing up in this same range.
At the Gulf Stream, the bottom fishing is starting to heat up. Between 40-50 miles (around 100’ of water), there are beeliners, grunts, and big sea bass being caught.
Trolling in the Gulf Stream has seen steady action, and it should heat up soon in 100-300’ of water for wahoo, blackfin tuna, and mahi.
Michael, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that pier fishing remains fairly slow. However, as water temperatures increase, the bite should begin to improve. Anglers dropping down shrimp have connected with some small whiting and croaker.
A few undersized flounder have also been seen on the warmer days, with the bait of choice being mud minnows.
