North Myrtle Winter 2010-2011
Capt. Patrick Kelly, of Capt. Smiley's Fishing Charters, with a 25" red drum he hooked on a Clouser Minnow while fly-casting to some reds in the shallows of a Little River-area creek.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing, reports that the area’s wintertime skinny-water red drum fishery is going strong (with groups of fish ranging from 22-30”). The fish are schooled up in shallow water in the backs of area creeks and on the flats, so anglers need a specialized flats boat in order to stealthily reach the areas they’re feeding. Even running the trolling motor is often enough to spook the fish, so poling or wading when the water gets too shallow for the boat is the way to approach them.
Once anglers have found and gotten within range of the fish, casting a Gulp or Trigger-X shrimp on a light Mission Fishin’ jighead should tempt them to bite. Fly casters are also having some success with the reds on gold and root beer-colored Clouser Minnows.
The speckled trout bite is still going as well, and anglers are hooking good numbers while trolling jerkbaits and swimbaits in the ICW around Coquina Harbor.
Casting D.O.A. shrimp around the Little River Crossroads, Coquina Harbor, and the Sunset Beach Bridge has also been producing some specks lately.
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that red drum are holding in 3-10’ deep potholes far back in the shallows of the area creeks. Low and rising tides have been producing the best fishing for the reds, and anglers must approach quietly with the boat or wade in in order to get close enough for a cast. The reds are striking a variety of baits, including Gulps (shrimp, jerk shads, and crabs), cut bait (mullet and crabs), and Clouser Minnows (for the fly crowd).
The speckled trout bite is still on at a host of local spots, including Sunset Beach Bridge, the Little River jetties, Coquina Harbor, the Little River Crossroads, and the swing bridge. Live shrimp are the top trout baits, but they’re becoming increasingly difficult to catch. Anglers are also hooking up while casting MirrOlures and D.O.A. shrimp (solo or under popping corks). The trout have also shown an affinity for the fly in recent weeks, and chartreuse Crazy Charlies have been the most effective.
A few small stripers are also in the mix around Little River, and they’re falling for the same baits.
Capt. Mark Dickson, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, and Reagan Thomas, of Druham, NC, with a well over-slot red drum that fell for a live pogy at the Little River jetties.
Bryan, of Fish-On Outfitters, reports that anglers are hooking up with some speckled trout in the ICW near Little River, Coquina Harbor, and the lighthouse. Soft plastics are fooling most of the specks.
Red drum are trying to warm up and look for meals in the shallows of area creeks and marshes, where soft plastics and a variety of natural baits will entice them to bite.
There have been a few stripers feeding between the bridges at Little River, and anglers are hooking them on live baits and while trolling suspending plugs and soft plastics.
Mike, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are picking up some smaller black drum and whiting while baiting up with shrimp. These bottom feeders should be nearby for most of the winter.
The water is 59 degrees.
