Little River September 13, 2007
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports anglers are landing good numbers of flounder and some red drum around in the inshore waters. The action has been best in the ICW near the Little River docks and in the Calabash River. The fish are feeding in creek mouths and at nearby structure, and casting a jig and live shrimp or jig and Gulp combo has been the best way to get strikes recently.
The strong NE winds have slowed down the fishing around the Little River jetties, but when the wind lays down, there should still be some big red drum (30”+) holding near the rocks.
Huge schools of finger mullet are moving into the inlet and out along the beaches, and bluefish, spanish mackerel, and other predators are feeding heavily on them.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that despite the wind the speckled trout fishing has been excellent over the past week. The best speck fishing has been along marsh grass islands in the Calabash River. Most of the fish are 13-18”, and live shrimp are their favorite baits. The trout will also fall for Gulp baits, D.O.A. and Billy Bay shrimp, and curly tail grubs.
Anglers are also landing plenty of red drum throughout the area, with the best fishing lately in Bonaparte Creek. The reds are feeding in creek drains and along oyster bars, and they will fall for live shrimp or the same artificials that anglers are casting for the trout.
Larger red drum (36-40”+) are beginning to make an appearance at the Little River jetties. Fishing at the jetties is tough due to the recent high winds, but anglers can expect the big drum to be around when the weather calms down.
Drew, of North Myrtle Beach Offshore Adventures, reports that bottom fishing has been the best bet offshore when the wind lays down enough for boats to get out. Grouper and snapper are feeding at ledges and other structure in the 100’ range, and amberjacks are patrolling higher profile wrecks such as the Gary Ennis and Twin City. The AJ’s generally hold higher in the water column than other bottom fish, so anglers targeting AJs should fish the 40-60’ depths if fishing structure in the 100’ range.
Bottom fishermen should stop at some nearshore structure to jig up pinfish and other live baits on the way out. Taking a variety of baits offshore will increase the odds of bringing in a good catch.
King mackerel have been tough to locate lately, but there are plenty of spanish mackerel and bluefish feeding right on the beaches. There should be a few big kings feeding on the spanish and blues, so anglers who bait up with either could hook up with a 30-50 lb. monster.
Larry, of Voyager Charters, reports that boats anchored up 35-50 miles offshore are landing excellent bottomfish catches and hooking up with some pelagics on the light line.
Bottom fishermen are decking large gag, scamp, and red groupers, as well as beeliners, grunts, triggerfish, rudderfish, and amberjacks.
Big king mackerel and a few wahoo are falling for sardines fished on the light lines.
Gulf Stream trolling around the Blackjack Hole and 100/400 has been difficult to impossible due to all the grass in the water.
Inshore, boats are landing good numbers of spanish mackerel and some blacktip sharks while fishing near the beach.
Chuck, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers are landing good numbers of 16-18” flounder on cut shrimp. Whiting are also taking an interest in the shrimp.
A few large red drum are also feeding around the pier, and reds up to 39” have been caught and released recently.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are chasing bait, and anglers are landing both on Gotcha plugs and mackerel trees.
The water temperature is 82 degrees.
