North Myrtle Beach – July 19, 2018
Ken, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that this has been the best July in years for red drum fishing. Double digit numbers of fish are coming over the rails in both the morning and afternoon, especially from deep water on grass edges in the inlets and creek mouths. The first three hours of an outgoing tide and last three hours of an incoming tide have been the best time to look for the reds, and it’s important to key in on clean and green water.
Peanut pogies on Carolina rigs (with #1 hooks, 1/2 oz. weights, and fluorocarbon leaders) are the best bait for the reds, and there are plenty of them around, especially in the ICW and residential creeks. Finger mullet have been getting strikes as well.
Some 2-4 lb. flounder have been in the mix, and they’re biting the same baits as the reds.
Plenty of black drum action has come from ICW docks, with fingertip-sized pieces of fresh cut shrimp getting plenty of bites.
Blake Hinson, while fishing with cousin DeWayne Mcpherson (back), landed this 36 lb. king at the Jungle. It was one of many 25+ lb. fish that were caught on live pogies that day.
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that all the big summer species are biting inshore, though some days they can be harder to find than others.
Over-slot reds have been swimming in the deeper channels and, during high tide stages, can be found either in the grass or right on the edge of it. The water around Bird Island near the NC/SC border has been a great place to look for them. Live mullet or soaked and cut mullet have both been getting attention when fished right on the bottom.
Black drum have been plentiful in the ICW and can be caught with live or dead shrimp on the bottom, especially during low tide.
Flounder between 16-18” have been around, especially in the hour before and the hour after high tide. Live finger mullet on a 1/4 oz. jig head should get bites.
There is a good population of speckled trout chewing in area waters, and while a lot of them have been small, plenty of 15-18” fish have been caught as well. If the tide is right and you know where to look, you should have no problem bringing some over the rails when fishing with live shrimp under popping corks or Vudu/Gulp shrimp on 1/4 oz. jig heads.
Bob, of Strange Magic Fishing Charters, reports that the flounder bite has been excellent lately, with plenty of big fish coming over the rails. Live minnows on either Carolina rigs or jig heads seem to be working the best, although plastics have also been doing the trick at times. The key is to look for the fish near creek mouths, in deep holes, and around docks.
Redfish are still patrolling the creek bank edges, but they’re usually swimming by themselves so be patient and prepared to sometimes cover a lot of ground. Some red drum (in addition to black drum) have also been found around area docks, especially ones that have creeks or drains nearby. Structure is key.
Trout are being caught in bigger numbers, but unfortunately most of them have been on the small side. To target them, use live shrimp or Gulp soft plastics under popping corks.
Tommy Morrison with a 32 lb. king mackerel that was caught 2 miles off of Sunset Beach.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that nearshore waters are holding spanish mackerel, barracuda, and plenty of big sharks (mostly blacktips and spinners). In the 8-10 mile range outside of the inlet, there have been plenty of black sea bass, porgies, and small sharks.
Offshore trolling in the 25 mile range has produced plenty of kings on Drone spoons and rigged ballyhoo, with some bonita and barracuda mixed in as well.
On the bottom in the same range, amberjack fishing has been hot.
Steve, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that a lot of croakers are coming in. Whiting, keeper black drum, spadefish, keeper speckled trout, and bluefish are all in the mix, too. Flounder have also finally decided to show up. Live shrimp, cut bait, and bloodworms are all catching fish. The rising tide has been the best time to fish, but anglers targeting black drum should be fishing in the suds no matter what.
