North Mrytle Beach March 12, 2009

Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing, reports that the shallow water red drum bite in the area has kept anglers bending rods over the winter. Super shallow draft poling skiffs are necessary to reach the fish, as they’re feeding in areas where even normal flats boats have difficulty going.

Capt. Patrick Kelly, of Capt. Smiley's Fishing Charters, with a 23" redfish that fell for a new penny Gulp jerkbait in a shallow creek near Little River.

Most of the action is coming from groups of fish that anglers spook from the shallows into slightly deeper (2-3′) holes. After the fish flush to a hole, they’ll begin feeding again in a short time if anglers are careful to be stealthy. Cast a circle-hooked Gulp shrimp on a split shot rig into the hole to draw them to bite. The majority of the strikes are coming while the Gulp is sitting motionless on the bottom. Some black drum (most around 2 lbs.) are feeding around structure like the Sunset Beach Bridge. Fresh shrimp or chunks of crab on a split shot rig will get their attention.

The hot speckled trout bite that area anglers enjoyed last February and March hasn’t been good this year due to a colder winter, but the fish should begin feeding again over the coming weeks as the water temperatures rise.

Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that he’s finding red drum feeding in tidal creeks off the ICW. Most of the fish are coming while poling along the shallower creeks and casting Gulp shrimp and jerkbaits on small 1/8 oz. jigheads. Lower stages of the tide are producing the most action.

The speckled trout bite has been slow so far this year due to the cold weather, but March is typically when the specks get hungry again. The water in the ICW is still around 50 degrees, but once it warms up to 57-59, anglers can expect the trout bite to turn on. Good places to look for the early season trout are the Little River swing bridge, Coquina Harbor, the Little River jetties, and Sunset Beach Bridge.

Live shrimp are the top baits for the specks, but they can be tough to find this time of year. D.O.A. shrimp and Mirrolures should still produce some action when anglers can’t find live baits.

Cameron, of the Little River Fishing Fleet, reports that offshore bottom fishing has been excellent lately with catches including scamp grouper, beeliners, jumbo sea bass, and other tasty bottom dwellers. Cigar minnows and fresh squid have been producing the most action. The best bite lately has been around 40-45 miles offshore in 100-110′ of water.

Closer to the beach, bottom fishing has been hit or miss, with some decent sea bass and a lot of dog sharks.

The warm waters of the Gulf Stream haven’t been close enough to local bluewater hotspots to make for a solid trolling bite yet, but the action should improve when some warmer water hits the break.

Mike, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that most of the action so far this year has been from skates and sharks.

Anglers are landing a few small black drum and, oddly for March, an occasional spot. Shrimp-flavored Fish Bites have been drawing bites from the spot.

The bottom fishing should improve over the coming weeks as the water temperature (which is now 51 degrees) climbs.

by Fish Post