North Myrtle Beach July 30, 2009
Danny Robbins with a 28" trout caught in Little River Inlet on a 6" mullet on a Carolina rig.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are finding good red drum action during the lower tides at deeper holes in creeks and the marshy backwaters. Live shrimp on Mission Fishin’ jigheads are fooling the fish, both on popping corks and while bouncing the jigs along the bottom. Anglers must traverse some extremely shallow water to get to the fish, so even many bay boats may not be able to make it back to where the fish are feeding.
As the tide rises, the fish are moving into the flooded marsh grass and becoming more difficult to hook.
The usual spots on the ICW have been difficult to fish lately due to the huge numbers of jet skis zooming through the area.
Drifting in Little River Inlet on rising tides has been producing a mixed bag catch lately. Anglers drifting live shrimp along the bottom at the inlet are hooking up with flounder, black drum, whiting, croaker, and more.
Buddy Smith and Greg Winesette, from Myrtle Beach, SC, with a 32.7 lb. king mackerel that fell for a live pogy less than half a mile off Sunset Beach Pier.
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that drifting through Little River Inlet lately has been producing excellent mixed bag action with ladyfish, bluefish, whiting, red drum, a few flounder, bonnethead sharks, and more. Live finger mullet on Carolina rigs are producing some action, but live shrimp have been drawing more strikes lately.
Fishing oyster rocks and other structure in Dunn Sound, anglers are picking up red and black drum and some big whiting. Live shrimp on split shot rigs or small jigheads beneath popping corks are attracting attention from all three species.
Black and red drum are also feeding near the Little River Crossroads, where a live shrimp will tempt them to bite.
Anglers are catching some decent numbers of speckled trout around Sunset Beach Bridge on live shrimp beneath popping corks.
The shell beds in Bonaparte Creek have been producing action with reds and trout as well, and live shrimp again are the best baits.
Cameron, of Little River Fishing Fleet, reports that anglers are still finding some excellent bottom fish action on the Gulf Stream trips 45-55 miles offshore in 105-120’ of water. Scamp grouper and American red snapper are feeding at bottom structure in the area, and most anglers are hooking them on cigar minnow baits.
Sea bass, big beeliners (2-4 lbs.), and other bottom dwellers are also coming over the rails, and most anglers are hooking them on squid.
Inshore the king mackerel bite 10-25 miles out has slowed down, but boats are still hooking a few kings while pulling live baits there.
The recent winds have dirtied the water and turned the spanish mackerel bite off, but the fish should return after a few days of calm weather.
Daniel, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that bottom fishermen scored action with some pompano, whiting, and puppy drum last week.
Fresh shrimp on bottom rigs have been fooling all the fish, and the pups have been feeding in the shallow water behind the breakers.
The water is 82 degrees.
