North Myrtle Beach – July 6, 2017
Ken, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that the flounder bite is still going strong, but most fish are now prefering finger mullet. Finding creeks with clean water and then throwing finger mullet on Carolina rigs has worked best, but bouncing Vudu shrimp off the bottom has accounted for a few fish as well. Most of the flounder have been between 17-20”.
The redfish bite has slowed down a bit from weeks past, but a few fish are still being landed while flounder fishing.
Casting Zoom flukes around marsh lines has been producing some keeper speckled trout. Most fish have been in the 14-18” range, but a few have been right around the 20” mark. Targeting these fish around the higher part of the tide has been best.
Heading up river, a few stripers are being landed in the 20-25” range, and working Vudu shrimp around shoreline structure has been the key to success.
Patrick, of Captain Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that the recent cooling air temperatures have turned the bite on. Fishing the Tubbs Inlet and Little River area, anglers are connecting with plenty of flounder that range from just under-sized to the 4 lb. range. Working live finger mullet on 1/4 oz. jig heads (as well as Gulp shrimp in new penny and molting on jig heads) has landed the highest number of fish.
Live shrimp has been the ticket to landing limits of speckled trout in the 13-18” range, but larger fish pushing the 24” mark have been falling for MirrOlure poppers and Zara Spook Jrs.
Black drum have been feeding well in the Dunn Sound and Sunset Beach areas. Most fish have been short, but a few keepers have been in the mix. Casting live shrimp on 1/4 oz. jig heads around structure has been the best method for the black drum.
Out at the Little River jetties, live and cut baits fished on the bottom has landed some over-slot redfish.
Darren Flowers caught this mahi fishing off of North Myrtle Beach in 120′ of water trolling a skirted ballyhoo.
Bob, of Strange Magic Fishing Charters, reports that the redfish bite has picked up as the flounder bite has slowed. Focusing on grass and shell banks, especially along deep holes in creeks, has worked best. The redfish have been feeding well, and everything from mud minnows, live shrimp, mullet minnows, and cut mullet has been working.
The muddy water has slowed the flounder bite for now, but good forecasts should improve both the water quality and the flounder action.
Speckled trout continue to be interested in topwaters and MirrOlures early in the morning and late in the evening. Live shrimp rigged on a float is always a safe bet for trout.
David, of Low Country Fishing Charters, reports that good numbers of flounder are inshore, but most are just shy of the legal limit. Fishing creeks with smaller menhaden and finger mullet has boated high numbers of fish, with a few keepers in the mix.
Speckled trout have been mixed in the same areas and have preferred small menhaden. Some trout have pushed the 20” mark.
Redfish have been holding around docks in the waterway, and Carolina-rigged menhaden have been the ticket to landing limits.
Larger reds have been holding around the Little River jetties, and fishing the bottom with live menhaden or cut baits has worked best.
Around the nearshore reefs and wrecks, larger flounder have been landed while jigging bucktails tipped with Gulp soft plastics. Most of these fish have been between 16-20”. Cobia, barracudas, and spadefish have been holding around nearshore reefs, too, as well as bluefish in the 10-15” range.
Fishing behind the shrimp boats has provided anglers with plenty of shark action. Blacktips, bonnet heads, and Atlantic sharpnose sharks have all been feeding.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that spanish have been active just outside of Little River Inlet. Trolling Clarkspoons has accounted for most of the spanish action. Sharks are also feeding well, and anglers have landed blacktips and spinner sharks within one mile of the beach.
In the 5-10 mile range, anglers fishing the bottom have landed black sea bass, bluefish, gray trout, and Atlantic sharpnose sharks.
Out to the 30 mile range, trolling has produced kings and dolphin. Barracudas, amberjacks, and bonita have also been hooked around the reefs and wrecks, mostly while jigging and casting plugs.
The Gulf Stream has provided anglers with consistent bottom fishing action. Snapper, grouper, triggerfish, and porgies are all willing to take sardines and squid dropped to the bottom. The most productive area has been 50 miles south of Little River Inlet in about 120′ of water.
Scott, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that black and red drum have been feeding well in the morning on fresh shrimp. Spadefish, whiting, croaker, and blues are also hitting baits on the bottom.
