North Myrtle Beach – July 9, 2015
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that there’s been a decent speckled trout bite in the area recently (with big numbers of smaller fish but some to 24”). Anglers are hooking the specks along grass and shell banks and around ICW structure, and most are falling for live shrimp, finger mullet, and peanut menhaden.
Red drum are in many of the same areas and are taking an interest in the live baits as well.
Some larger reds are likely feeding around the Little River jetties, but rough weather has kept many boats from fishing in the inlet recently.
Flounder are still feeding in the local inlets and around inshore structure, and anglers are seeing some larger flatfish in the mix (to 22”) than they were earlier in the year. Live baits are the best bets for the flatfish as well.
Mike Blackmon, of Greensboro, NC, with a 19″ flounder that bit a soft plastic bait in Dunn Sound while he was fishing with Capt. Greg Hughes of Fish Skinny Charters.
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that the area’s flounder bite is getting better, with the fish still feeding in Tubbs Inlet as well as spots along the ICW and in the marshes. Live finger mullet and mud minnows have been fooling the majority of the flatfish.
Red drum action has been steady recently, with anglers finding the reds in Bonaparte Creek, Tubbs Inlet, and around the Little River jetties. Live baits are the best bets for the reds.
Anglers fishing popping cork rigs around the Little River crossroads have found plenty of action with reds and speckled trout recently.
The speck bite has been on in Tubbs Inlet, too, where shrimp fished beneath popping corks are also attracting plenty of attention.
Kimberly Gallimore, of Ocean Isle Beach, with a 6 lb. speckled trout that bit a live menhaden while she was fishing with her family in Tubbs Inlet.
Larry, of Voyager Charters, reports that Gulf Stream bottom fishing trips are producing fast action with beeliners, triggerfish, grunts, porgies, and more. Squid and cut baits are fooling the bottom feeders.
A few large fish like jacks, African pompano, and cobia have been taking an interest in the bottom baits as well.
Matt, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers have been hooking good numbers of speckled trout from the pier on live shrimp recently.
There’s been a good black drum bite along the surf zone at higher tides recently, with fresh shrimp tempting plenty of bites (from fish to 5-6 lbs.). Some puppy drum are mixed in.
Sheepshead are looking for meals around the pilings and biting live fiddler crabs and sand fleas.
Flounder fishermen have been hooking good numbers of fish on small live baits fished under the pier.
Bottom fishermen are primarily finding action with panfish like croaker and sea mullet while baiting up with shrimp.
Anglers working lures from the pier have been hooking good numbers of bluefish, but not many spanish mackerel.
A few larger spanish (to 4-5 lbs.) have been biting live baits on king rigs.
The water is 82 degrees.
