North Myrtle Beach/Little River – October 10, 2019
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that the redfish bite has been excellent. Plenty of 17-25” reds have been biting on the low to rising tide, with live shrimp, mullet, and Vudu shrimp serving as great baits. Topwater fishing has also been consistent throughout the day.
On the incoming tide, trout can be caught in moving water along drops in the ICW, with the best action coming from 4-10’ of water on live and Vudu shrimp under popping corks.
Black drum can be found in the same areas, where they are biting live or fresh cut shrimp. The outgoing tide has been the best time to look for the black drum.
Flounder fishing has been productive on both sides of the high tide. The flatties are hanging in creek mouths and along oyster beds, with the best fishing coming from the gut of the bigger creeks. Live mullet and Gulp baits are both getting attention.
Large schools of bluefish have been feeding well in the inlet.
Tom Brendel, of Surfside, with a graysby (grouper) caught in 100′ of water out of Little River Inlet. He was fishing with Capt. Bevan Hunter of Chilly Water Fishing.
Bob, of Strange Magic Fishing Charters, reports that the falling water temperatures have got the fish turning on. Red drum are feeding well on fresh and live shrimp, along with Gulp soft plastics. Targeting docks at high tide and deep holes in the backwaters and in the waterway during low tide has produced best. The reds are getting hungry and are looking forward to the upcoming mullet run.
The big reds are biting out at the jetties and will appreciate a mullet or a pogie meal.
Black drum are responding well to fresh shrimp, but as always, they have to beat the pinfish and such to the bait. Be prepared to blow threw a lot of bait when targeting drum near docks and backwater holes.
Trout are also in the mix. Try white and chartreuse Gulp baits around any oyster bar transitioning back and forth to grass. The ICW action is heating up, and the trout are getting to be nice-sized, with many over 18″. Keep on the move, as they will constantly move up and down the banks.
Flounder are actively feeding and are responding best to Gulp shrimp and mullet in the white and chartreuse colors. Look in off-the-beaten-path places with any kind of structure.
Sherry Stanley-Martin, of Whitsett, NC, with a 68 lb. wahoo caught off of Christina’s Ledge. She was fishing aboard the “Late Again” with Capt. Keith Beverly and mate Jason Klara of Little River Sport Fishing.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that in the 50 mile range, bottom fishing has been solid. Beeliners, grunts, triggerfish, grouper, amberjacks, and African pompano have all been landed. A mix of live and cut baits have worked well.
Trolling in the 24 mile range has generated good numbers of kings. Drone spoons and live baits have both produced, and false albacore have been mixed in with the kings.
Just off the beach, anglers looking for shark action have found it. Drift fishing with large cut and chunk baits has worked best.
Trolling Clarkspoons has generated good numbers of spanish, especially when targeting nearshore structure and bait pods.
Dropping to the bottom around nearshore structure has produced black sea bass, porgies, and gray trout.
Cameron, of Little River Fishing Fleet, reports that inshore fishing for speckled trout and red drum has picked up. Live mullet and live shrimp have been the best baits, and targeting marsh banks has been the ticket to finding good numbers of both species.
Just off the beach, a few bull redfish have been landed, but they haven’t moved in in good numbers yet. Fresh cut mullet has been the bait of choice.
Lots of bait has been present off the beach, and subsequently the king bite has heated up. Slow trolling live menhaden has produced plenty of action with the kings.
Morgan, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that the spot run has kicked off and anglers have boxed plenty of fish. Whiting, croaker, black drum, red drum, and bluefish have also been landed. A mix of cut baits, fresh shrimp, and sand fleas have all worked well.
A few kings have been landed on the end of the pier.
