North Myrtle Beach – August 17, 2017
Ken, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that fishing near deep water structure has produced good numbers of black drum in the 13-16” range. Most fish have fallen for fresh shrimp on a Carolina rig.
Redfish have been holding in the same areas as the black drum. They’ve been willing to eat fresh shrimp or live finger mullet, and most have been in the 15-18” range.
Just off the beach in around 25′ of water, speckled and gray trout have been holding on structure. Dropping live shrimp to the bottom on jig heads has produced some specks that have reached the 6 lb. mark.
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that the outgoing tide has triggered a good bite for red and black drum near Tubb’s Inlet. Fishing live shrimp and finger mullet in 15′ of water has produced the best results.
Around Tubb’s Inlet, Little River Inlet, and the Calabash River areas, anglers have found speckled trout willing to hit topwater plugs early in the morning. Marsh edges near the high tides and oyster beds and ledges at the lower tides have been the best producers of limits of fish.
Flounder fishing along the waterway has been consistent. Targeting the small drains along the edges of the waterway during falling tide has produced good numbers of fish. Live finger mullet has been the bait of choice.
The Reedy family with an inshore slam consisting of flounder, speckled trout, red drum, and sheepshead. They were using a combination of live shrimp and finger mullet while fishing with Capt. David Cutler of Low Country Fishing Charters.
Bob, of Strange Magic Fishing Charters, reports that the trout have been biting in the early morning hours on hard baits and soft plastics, as well as live shrimp under float rigs. Targeting oyster structure and current lines along the waterway and around creek mouths (especially during the higher parts of the tide) has produced the most bites.
Flounder fishing has picked up, and most fish now are keepers. The flounder have been holding close to the grass during high tide and then moving into the deeper holes during low tide. Targeting structure with live bait has been the key to hooking good numbers of fish.
Fishing for red and black drum has heated up some. The redfish have fed better around marsh islands and shell beds near the deeper holes (where black drum have been holding, too). Docks have also produced good numbers of red and black drum.
David, of Low Country Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout have been feeding well during the higher parts of the tide. Targeting marsh edges with live shrimp has been the ticket to landing limits of fish.
Black and red drum have been holding on hard ledges and structure during the falling to low tide. Fresh or live shrimp has worked well for the black drum, and live finger mullet has been the ticket for the reds.
Just off the beach, spanish and small kings are taking an interest in trolled cigar minnows and spoons.
Shark fishing is also providing plenty of action. The best areas are around nearshore structure, and rigging up live croakers and menhaden has produced blacktips, bonnetheads, as well as a few bull sharks and hammerheads.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that 50 miles southeast of Little River Inlet, anglers are finding good bottom fish action in 110′ of water. Scamp grouper, beeliners, triggerfish, grunts, African pompano, porgies, and amberjacks have all been landed on live and cut baits.
In the 30 mile range, trolling Blue Water Candy sea witches and Drone spoons has produced good numbers of kings. Most of the kings have been on the smaller side, but lots of fish have been landed.
Anglers fishing nearshore bottom structure have landed black sea bass and porgies. Hitting these same areas while fishing live and cut baits has also provided plenty of action with sharpnose sharks, spanish, and barracudas.
Waylan Barczy and Wesley Mishenhimer (right) with black drum caught using live shrimp while kayak fishing.
Matt, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that bluefish and spanish have been feeding around bait pods early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Most anglers are targeting them with Gotcha plugs and Stingsilvers.
Those fishing the bottom with fresh shrimp and sand fleas have landed croaker, whiting, and black drum. Most of the black drum are holding in 4-5′ of water, and a few keeper flounder have also been in the mix.
Big redfish have started to show up, and those tossing fresh cut mullet have had the best luck landing these trophy fish.
