North Myrtle Beach July 9, 2009
John Kelly, from New York, NY, with a red drum he hooked and released near the Little River Crossroads on a chunk of blue crab. He was fishing with Capt. Patrick Kelly of Capt. Smiley's Fishing Charters out of Little River.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing, reports that although the water’s been busy over the holiday week, the fishing’s been excellent in areas without much boat traffic. Fishing in the backwater creeks is producing a big variety of species for anglers, including red and black drum, big croakers (to 2 lbs.), speckled trout, sheepshead (to 7 lbs.), and flounder.
Finesse fishing is the way to go in these backwater areas, and a live shrimp pinned to a 1/8 oz. Mission Fishin’ jighead tied onto 20 lb. fluorocarbon leader with a loop knot is the best bait.
The best action has been around live oyster bottoms that drop off into deeper water. Anglers can pull up to areas, use a Power Pole or stake out pole to quietly secure the boat, and try new areas out. Most of the live oyster bottoms seem to be producing action with at least a few of the above species.
There are still good numbers of fish feeding around the Little River jetties, but the inlet was too busy last weekend to fish pleasantly. The traffic should have calmed down a bit now that the holiday has past.
Dr. Jeff Wallen, of Myrtle Beach, SC, with a 10.9 lb. flounder that fell for a large live mullet near Shallotte Inlet.
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are finding action with a variety of fish right now.
At higher tides, fishing around shell beds in the backwaters has been producing good numbers of red drum. Live shrimp fished beneath popping corks are producing most of the reds.
There have also been good numbers of red drum coming from the ICW near the Little River Crossroads.
At lower tides, anglers are finding red and black drum schooled together in the channels of Dunn Sound and elsewhere in the backwaters. Live shrimp are again the key baits, but at lower tides a split-shot rig with a small circle hook seems to be more effective than the float rigs.
In deeper areas inshore, anglers are picking up a few speckled trout while casting jighead/Gulp combinations or live shrimp under popping corks.
The flounder bite has also been solid lately, and anglers are finding the flatfish in Tubbs Inlet, around Sunset Beach Bridge, and in channels throughout the inshore waters. Live mud minnows on Carolina rigs are producing most of the flatties (and about half are keepers right now).
Cameron, of Little River Fishing Fleet, reports that boats found some good action with king mackerel last week while trolling Clark and Drone spoons at spots 20-30 miles off the beach like the Atlantic Ledge.
Some cobia (most 30-40 lbs.) have been feeding in the same general areas, and live pogies are fooling them into striking.
Gulf Stream bottom fishing 40-50 miles off the inlet remains consistent. Anglers are hooking some gag and scamp grouper along with big sea bass, triggerfish, and football beeliners. Squid are fooling the smaller bottom feeders, while most of the grouper are falling for cigar minnows.
Inshore, divers report that the Little River Offshore Reef is full of barracuda, amberjacks, and other life.
Bottom fishermen inshore are hooking some triggerfish and smaller sea bass.
Mike, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers are hooking good numbers of flounder (about 1/3 keepers) on live shrimp and finger mullet.
Red and black drum are feeding in the surf zone in about 3’ of water, and they’re taking an interest in live shrimp as well.
Bottom fishing with dead shrimp has been producing some pompano.
Sheepshead (to 3-4 lbs.) are biting barnacles fished tight to the pilings.
Plug casters are hooking a few bluefish and spanish mackerel on Gotchas.
