North Myrtle Beach November 12, 2009
Capt. Jeff Williamson and Russ Gore with a 20 lb. king mackerel they hooked while live-baiting off Ocean Isle Beach.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the water has finally cooled down into the lower 60’s, and the falling water temps have triggered some excellent fall fishing.
Anglers are finding fast speckled trout action at ICW spots like Sunset Beach Bridge, Calabash Creek, Coquina Harbor, the Little River crossroads, and a variety of other inshore spots. Live shrimp on float rigs are producing the majority of the fish.
The red drum bite’s been excellent lately as well. Anglers can take their pick of fishing for big numbers of smaller reds (14-18”) in Dunn Sound and other backwater areas, or target smaller numbers of larger fish (27-30”+) around docks and other structure on the ICW. The larger dock reds are quick to head for the pilings and break off once hooked, so anglers should beef up their tackle a bit from typical inshore setups to haul the reds away from the structure.
Live shrimp are producing most of the reds of both sizes, and split-shot rigs or 1/4-1/8 oz. Mission Fishin’ jigheads have been the most productive ways to fish them. Anglers can cast-net the shrimp in the area’s creeks, though it takes a while to pick through the tiny shrimp to get the larger ones that make the best baits.
Mark, Sam, and Ryan Cronk, from Smith Mountain Lake, VA, and Capt. Tom Cushman, of Capt. Cush Calmwater Fishing Charters, with an 11 lb., 4 oz. flounder they caught near the Little River jetties on a large finger mullet.
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that there’s been a good bite of bluefish, speckled trout, and puppy drum around the rock jetties at Little River Inlet lately. Live shrimp cast into the rocks on light jigheads are producing most of the action with all three, but the bite can hit-or-miss, with lots of action one day and not much happening the next.
Big numbers of reds are forming schools in the backwaters of Dunn Sound, Bonaparte and Calabash Creeks, and other shallow areas inshore. The fish aren’t huge (most 14-16”), but they’re making up for their size with fast action. Live shrimp and Gulp baits on 1/4 oz. jigheads are producing most of the bites from the fish.
Cameron, of Little River Fishing Fleet, reports that the gag grouper are moving in closer to the beaches, and anglers on offshore bottom trips 25-30 miles from the hill are landing good numbers and losing some large fish to the rocks. Some big knothead sea bass are in the mix with the gags. Cigar minnows and squid will fool both fish.
Anglers king mackerel trolling in the same areas have found some scattered fish, but not a very solid bite anywhere.
Linda Wall, of Rockingham, NC, with a 2 lb., 8 oz. pompano she hooked off Cherry Grove Pier on shrimp.
Steven, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are hooking some whiting and spot on shrimp and bloodworms.
Those baiting up with live shrimp and minnows are decking a few flounder.
The water is 69 degrees.
