Added on Thursday, June 5, 2008  Gary Hurley

North Myrtle Beach June 5, 2008

Mark, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that flounder fishing remains strong in Tubbs Inlet. Many of the fish are still undersized, but anglers are catching more keepers mixed in as the water warms up. Live mud minnows fished on Carolina rigs will attract attention from the flatfish, and drifting the inlet is an excellent way to locate the fish.

Spanish mackerel are feeding well around Little River Inlet and along the beaches. Trolling Clarkspoons behind planers and trolling weights around tidelines, working birds, and other signs of life should produce action with the spanish.

Spadefish are schooled up on the nearshore reefs like the Caudle and the General Sherman. Anglers can attract the spades to the boat with jelly balls strung on a rope or coat hanger, and then fish weightless pieces of the jelly to hook up with the spades.

Some cobia are also around the nearshore reefs. They’ll take a variety of natural baits, and anglers can sight cast bucktails to the fish when they appear as well.

 

Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that red drum are feeding well around creek drains and other areas in the ICW and at the Little River jetties. The reds will take an interest in nearly any live bait or a variety of artificials.

Speckled trout (most 1-4 lbs.) are holding at the Sunset Beach Bridge and at the jetties. Gulp baits and DOA shrimp are the most effective artificials for the specks. There have also been a good number of 2-3″ shrimp showing up in the creeks, where anglers can cast net them, and live shrimp are tough to beat for the trout.

Flounder fishing is still good in Tubbs Inlet. Carolina-rigged tiger-side minnows have been producing the best results with the flatfish. Many of the Tubbs Inlet fish are still on the small side, but anglers have been getting into a larger class of flounder in the Cherry Grove area.

Spanish mackerel are feeding just off the beaches and at the nearshore artificial reefs.

Anglers are also landing some flounder at the Jim Caudle Reef.

 

Drew, of Crowd Pleaser Sportfishing, reports that the grouper bite has been hot in around 90′ of water lately. Anglers dropping butterfly jigs to ledges and other structure in that depth range are hooking up with some big gags along with other assorted bottom fish.

Dolphin fishing is still excellent in the Gulf Stream, with plenty of fish in the 20-30 lb. range. Trolling skirted ballyhoo will tempt the dolphin to bite.

Good numbers of blue marlin have been reported around the 100/400 and by the Charleston fleet, so Gulf Stream anglers should be prepared in case a big blue crashes the spread.

Some dolphin have begun to move inshore of the Stream, and boats are encountering them 25-30 miles offshore.

King mackerel fishing has been a bit slow lately, but the fish should be holding on structure in 50-70′ of water. Some pogies have been seen close to the beach in about 30′, so anglers may be able to fill up a well of live baits to go prospecting for the kings.

Plenty of spanish mackerel are feeding along the beaches in 25-30′ of water.

 

Annie, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that spanish mackerel and bluefish are falling for Gotcha plugs and mackerel trees.

Bottom fishermen are landing some whiting on fresh cut shrimp.

Those baiting up with live baits are hooking some flounder, although many are undersized.