North Myrtle Beach July 18, 2013
Alan Williams, of Greensboro, NC, with an 8 lb. sheepshead that bit a live shrimp at the Little River jetties while he was fishing with Capt. Mark Stacy of OceanIsleFishingCharters.com.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that there’s still been some solid fishing in the area despite the massive amount of fresh water moving through the inshore system. Fishing fairly close to saltwater around the inlets has been the best bet lately, as many of the fish have likely flushed toward the sea. Bonaparte Creek is producing some solid red drum action (with many over-slot fish), as the reds cruise the grass lines along the banks. Live finger mullet and cut baits have both been tempting bites from the reds recently.
More reds, some smaller speckled trout, and a few black drum are feeding along the banks in the ICW and near the inlets. Live shrimp, finger mullet, and chunks of crab pinned to jigheads and Carolina rigs are fooling all three fish.
There have also been reds, flatfish, and speckled trout feeding in deeper holes in Tubbs Inlet, where they’ll respond to the same baits as in their other haunts.
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are managing to put together some good fishing trips even though the water in the area is very muddy right now. Red drum and flounder have been making up most of the recent action, and they’re both feeding in Little River and Tubbs Inlets, Bonaparte Creek, the Little River crossroads, and other inshore hotspots.
Keith Pyle, of Myrtle Beach, with a 13 lb. grouper he caught while fishing 25 miles of Little River Inlet on the “Fish Screamer.”
Live mud minnows fished on jigheads and live shrimp drifted under popping corks have been the most productive offerings lately. Soft plastic shrimp imitations have also been producing a few bites recently.
Anglers are also seeing some larger red drum looking for meals in Little River Inlet, where they’ll bite live shrimp or menhaden fished under floats or drifted along the bottom.
Steve, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers are hooking some sea mullet, black drum, and spadefish while bottom fishing with shrimp.
The water is still dirty from the recent storms and rain, but plug casters should see spanish mackerel and bluefish start feeding within casting range of the pier and biting Gotcha plugs and mackerel tree rigs again.
