North Myrtle Beach July 23, 2009
Michael Turnmeyer with a 9.5 lb. sheepshead he hooked on a live shrimp pinned to a 1/4 oz. Mission Fishin' jighead at the Little River Jetties. He was fishing with Capt. Mark Dickson of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing out of Little River.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Fishing Charters, reports that fishing in the backwaters has been red hot this week, producing good numbers of red (18-24”) and black (2-3 lbs.) drum.
Live shrimp on 1/8 oz. Mission Fishin’ jigheads are producing most of the bites, and anglers can either fish them plain or under a popping cork with good results.
Larger reds (30-36”+) are feeding in Little River Inlet, and live, Carolina-rigged finger mullet are drawing plenty of strikes from the reds.
Casting live shrimp in the inlet is attracting attention from a mixed bag of species, including some ladyfish, black drum, a few flounder, and some quality trout (2-3 lbs.).
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are hooking a wide variety of fish while drifting through Little River Inlet with live shrimp and finger mullet.
Live baits on Carolina rigs are drawing strikes from flounder, ladyfish, bluefish, croakers, and a few speckled trout, and the higher tides have produced the best fishing lately.
Inshore, casting live shrimp under popping corks around oyster beds in Dunn Sound and Bonaparte Creek is producing action with red and black drum along with some speckled trout. Light jigheads (1/32-1/8 oz.) with shrimp will also produce results.
The trout and both species of drum are also feeding around the Sunset Beach Bridge.
Randy Rivers, from Chesterfield, SC, with a 6 lb. pompano he hooked on a live shrimp while fishing in Little River Inlet with Capt. Patrick Kelly of Capt. Smiley's Fishing Charters.
Cameron, of Little River Fishing Fleet, reports that Gulf Stream bottomfishing trips are producing some action with big broomtail scamp grouper and fat beeliners (2-4 lbs.), among other bottomfish. Squid baits are drawing bites from the beeliners and smaller bottom feeders like triggerfish and sea bass, and the grouper are falling for cigar minnows. The best action with the bottom feeders has been 40-50 miles offshore in 100-120’ of water.
Light-lining while bottom fishing has been attracting attention from good numbers of king mackerel, but the dolphin seem to have moved on.
Inshore, live baiting around wrecks like the General Sherman has been producing action with some big amberjacks.
Smaller sea bass and sharks are coming over the rails on inshore bottomfishing trips.
Annie, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers are catching some flounder and a few big red drum on live mud minnows and shrimp.
Bottom fishermen are hooking decent numbers of whiting on shrimp.
Spanish mackerel are falling for Gotcha plugs and mackerel trees.
