North Myrtle Beach/Little River – May 23, 2019
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that flounder fishing has been good while drifting Carolina rigs around the tide cycle in Hog Inlet and the Cherry Grove area. Casting 1/4 oz. jig heads with live minnows or Gulp baits into moving water is also almost sure to produce. Deep holes in the creeks and drop-offs have been the best places to fish, and the best action has been on the falling tide.
Redfish in the 15-27” range are being caught in 2-5’ potholes in the creeks. Three hours on either side of low tide when the water is out of the grass has been the best time to fish. Blue crabs or mud minnows on 1/4 oz. jig heads are a good choice. On high stages of the tide, fish the grass, and if you can find a flat area with sparser grass or a clean bottom, then soaking cut mullet or crab and waiting for a bite is a good tactic.
Bluefish are around in the same low tide holes as the reds.
Black drum can be caught around docks on fresh cut shrimp throughout the tide cycle, but the outgoing tide has been best.
The trout bite remains slowed down from its peak, but anglers are still catching some undersized fish.
At the jetties, spanish mackerel and blues can be caught by casting spoons, and at the nearshore reefs, there are spadefish, weakfish, bluefish, and spanish around.
Cobia have also started to show in the nearshore waters.
Ron Hailey, of Winston-Salem, NC, with a 39 lb. cobia caught near Little River Inlet on a live pogie. He was fishing with his nephew, Tyler Hailey, and Jeff Jordan aboard the “Paycheck.”
Bob, of Strange Magic Fishing Charters, reports that the recent warmup has really turned on the flatfish bite. Flounder are being caught near creek mouths at high tide and in deeper holes at low tide. Mud minnows are the overall best bait, but the flounder are also starting to hit Gulp soft plastic baits (in bright colors) popped off the bottom.
Redfish are being landed in the same places as the flounder, as well as near docks. The same baits for flounder are producing reds, but popping corks along creek banks at high tide have done especially well. Dock ends will be best at low tide, and the whole length of the docks can targeted at higher tides. With stronger winds, bait will have a tendency to be pushed up against a bank or any structure that serves as a barrier. Where the bait is are where the bigger predators will be, so stay on the lookout for any signs of bait.
Black drum can be caught the same way, but mainly on fresh or live shrimp. The black drum (as well as red drum) are also hitting on pieces of crab.
Trout are still around, and they’re usually hanging with bluefish in the same areas—shell banks that transition to grass with deep water escape routes are best. Try drifting or free spooling a popping cork with the tide, using everything from Gulp, mud minnows, or live shrimp. Keep the line tight when free spooling to obtain a good hook set, as line slack of any kind usually results in a missed opportunity.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that the mahi bite at the Gulf Stream is on fire. Anglers are connecting with vermilion snapper, scamp and gag grouper, grunts, triggerfish, porgies, big sea bass, and a few cobia. Squid and cigar minnows have been producing the majority of these fish.
Trolling near the Blackjack has brought in some larger mahi and several wahoo.
Nearshore fishing is producing nice sea bass on the bottom, and trolling Clarkspoons around the 3-mile reef outside of Little River Inlet has brought in plenty of spanish mackerel.
David Perryman showing off a 36.5 lb. king mackerel caught off of the Cherry Grove Pier.
Cameron, of Little River Fishing Fleet, reports that offshore trolling has been producing wahoo and dolphin. Trolling white and red skirted ballyhoo and black and purple skirted ballyhoo have been bringing the majority of the fish to the boat.
Bottom fishing offshore is still good. Anglers have been catching limits of beeliners, sea bass, triggerfish, and scamps. Cigar minnows or sardines are good go-to bait options.
Bottom fishing 30 miles out is producing large black sea bass, grunts, flounder, and sharks.
The nearshore king mackerel bite is heating up. Kings in the 15-20 lb. range have been caught 5-10 miles off the beach.
Closer to shore, the water has been clearing up, and massive barracudas have been seen around nearshore reefs.
Michael, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that they have had several king mackerel in the 21-36 lb. range caught, as well as keeper spanish mackerel (up to 25”). Bluefish ranging from 1/2-5 lbs. are also being caught, along with pompano, whiting, and small numbers of trout.
