North Myrtle Beach July 14, 2011
Eric Pape, from NY, with a red drum that fell for a live mud minnow in the backwaters near Little River while he was fishing with Capt. Patrick Kelly of Capt. Smiley's Fishing Charters.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the summertime variety fishing in Little River Inlet is here once again. Anglers are connecting with red drum (5-20 lbs.), black drum, flounder (to 4-5 lbs.), speckled trout (to 5 lbs.), bonnethead sharks, ribbonfish, and more while fishing the rock jetties and the inlet itself.
Drifting live shrimp under floats near the rocks is producing most of the black drum, specks, and some of the reds. The bonnetheads also enjoy the live shrimp.
Anglers are connecting with more reds and flounder while fishing live finger mullet and menhaden on the bottom.
It’s often difficult to get away from the ribbonfish near the jetties’ tips, but anglers who want to catch them for fun or king mackerel bait should have little trouble with 1/2 oz Rat-L-Traps or similar lures.
The red and black drum bite is still solid inshore, too, with good action around ICW structure like Sunset Beach Bridge. Live shrimp, finger mullet, Gulp baits, and more will tempt bites from the drum inside.
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are finding some good fishing for red and black drum and some flounder in Tubbs Inlet, particularly around docks and oyster rocks in the area.
The reds are also feeding on the oyster bars in Bonaparte Creek and Dunn Sound, where they’re joined by a few speckled trout (some to 4+ lbs. lately).
Little River Inlet has been producing some action with reds, flounder, bluefish, and ladyfish.
Ladyfish and more reds are also feeding around the Calabash Crossroads.
Live shrimp are prevalent in area creeks right now, and they’ve been the prime bait for just about all the inshore fish in the area lately. Depending on the situation, popping cork rigs, jigheads, and Carolina rigs are all effective ways to fish the shrimp.
Tyler, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers are catching a few black and red drum on live shrimp.
Some sea mullet are falling for fresh shrimp on bottom rigs.
Sheepshead are feeding along the pilings and will bite barnacles, sand fleas, and other crustacean baits.
Plug casters are connecting with some bluefish from the pier while working Gotchas.
The water temperatures are in the high-80’s.
