North Myrtle Beach July 17, 2008

Mark, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that some big red drum have begun to show up at the Little River jetties. Anglers landed two in the 20 lb. class last week along with a number of smaller reds. Carolina-rigged finger mullet are provoking the drum to bite.

Along with the reds, anglers are catching some speckled trout and keeper flounder near the rock jetties.

More reds are feeding around docks off the ICW, along with some specks.

The Sunset Beach Bridge has also produced a decent trout bite this week, and live shrimp under floats are tough to beat for the trout. There are plenty of smaller white shrimp in the creeks for anglers looking for baits.

Working deeper holes in Tubbs Inlet is producing some excellent flounder action, with a good number of keeper fish mixed in with the shorts. Low tide seems to be producing the best bite, and live finger mullet or other baits on Carolina rigs will draw bites from the flatfish.

Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout fishing has been good around the Sunset Beach Bridge and throughout Dunn Sound, with a few nice specks coming from the jetties as well. Live shrimp beneath a popping cork are the most effective baits to target the trout, and anglers are also hooking up on Billy Bay Halo shrimp. Rising tides have been producing the best trout action recently.

Red drum and a few black drum are feeding in Bonaparte Creek along with some scattered flounder, and live shrimp under popping corks are producing action with all three.

There have also been a few flounder, specks, and reds feeding off the ICW and in Mullet Creek.

Drew, of Crowd Pleaser Sport Fishing, reports that live bait king mackerel fishing has been a little slow this week. Boats are still hooking fish at the usual spots in 60-80′, but not in great numbers.

Some sailfish have begun to show up, and this time last year the sailfish bite got especially hot around the Raritan. Other good places to begin looking for the sails are around the Jungle, the 70′ Hole, and further offshore at the Atlantic Ledge. Trolling rigged ballyhoo along with some attention-getting teasers will raise the sails if they’re around.

Vertical jigging with Shimano and Braid jigs has been producing amberjacks, groupers, and other fish at offshore wrecks and structure. Closer to shore, the smaller (3-4″) jigs are delivering action with sea bass, grunts, and spadefish.

Sandy, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are catching some spot, whiting, black drum, and pompano on shrimp.

Anglers baiting up with live shrimp are scoring action with speckled trout.

Flounder are taking an interest in live shrimp, mud minnows, and other baits.

The water is 83 degrees.

by Gary Hurley