North Myrtle Beach April 26, 2012
Timmy Sheraton, of VA, with a red drum that bit a chunk of crab near Sunset Beach while he was fishing with Capt. Mark Dickson of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the local inshore fishing slowed down a bit over the past week. The new moon and an unusual worm hatch that the gamefish are feeding on are likely culprits. The effects of both are temporary, so the fishing should recover soon.
Anglers did find some action with black drum at ICW docks over the past week, with fresh shrimp and crab chunks solid producers. Some undersized flounder and speckled trout have been in the mix and falling for live baits and soft plastics.
Spanish mackerel are feeding just off the beaches, so anglers can hook up with them while trolling Clarkspoons and casting metal jigs or other lures to feeding fish when the water’s clean.
Bottom fishing at the Jim Caudle Reef and other nearshore structure has been producing fast action with bluefish, some flounder, and big numbers of black sea bass (which must be released until their season opens June 1). Spec rigs tipped with natural baits are surefire producers at the nearshore structure.
Big numbers of cannonball jellyfish are in the area, so it shouldn’t be long until spadefish show up at the General Sherman and similar structure if they aren’t there already.
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that the best thing going lately has been flounder fishing in the marshes of Cherry Grove. Most anglers fish the area by drifting with live baits from Hog Inlet through the marshy creeks, but casting from a stationary boat can often produce better results (like several 18-20” keepers caught last week). Gulp baits paired with white skirts on jigheads are very effective when casting for the flatfish in the shallow marsh.
Some black drum, bluefish, and smaller flounder are feeding in Tubbs Inlet. Fresh shrimp are top choices for the black drum, and live baits or Gulps will garner plenty of attention from the flatfish.
Black drum and flounder are also feeding around the Little River Crossroads.
Plenty of bluefish are chasing bait in Little River Inlet, and anglers can hook them on a variety of baits and lures. Some red drum reports have been coming from the inlet as well.
Herman Creech, of North Myrtle Beach, with a flounder that bit a Gulp swimming minnow on a skirted 1/4 oz. jighead in the Cherry Grove marshes while he was fishing with Capt. Patrick Kelly of Capt. Smiley's Fishing Charters.
Steve, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that the bluefish bite is going strong, and anglers are hooking plenty on Gotcha plugs. Some spanish mackerel have been in the mix and are also taking an interest in the Gotchas.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with some black drum and sea mullet while baiting up with shrimp.
Some flounder (most small) are also falling for live mud minnows under the pier.
The water is 66 degrees.
