North Myrtle Beach June 4, 2009
Jim Watson and Chris Norberg, from Columbia, SC, with a pair of big gaffer dolphin they hooked while trolling ballyhoo around the Blackjack Hole. The anglers were fishing out of Holden Beach with Capt. Keith Logan and mate Jonny Jones of Stand N Down Charters
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing, reports that anglers are catching big numbers of flounder in Tubbs Inlet and throughout the inshore waters in the area. Live pogies are the best baits, but anglers should also be able to find some action using mud minnows.
The speckled trout bite at the Little River jetties is much improved over last week. Anglers are catching big numbers of specks (most 2-4 lbs.) there by drifting float-rigged live shrimp past the rocks. Some larger red drum are feeding around the jetties, too, and also falling for the shrimp.
Spanish mackerel are feeding outside the inlet, and boats are hooking them while trolling Clarkspoons up and down the beaches.
Fishing creek mouths in the ICW on a falling tide is producing lots of action and a mixed bag catch. Anglers casting live shrimp on 1/8 oz. jigheads are drawing bites from puppy drum, black drum, speckled trout, sheepshead, whiting, croakers, and flounder.
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Zane Franks, from Cary, NC, with a flounder he hooked on a live mud minnow while fishing the ICW near Holden Beach with Paul Dunwell.
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout are feeding well throughout the area. Anglers are hooking up with the specks at the Little River jetties, Sunset Beach Bridge, and in Dunn Sound. Live shrimp fished under floats or on split-shot rigs are producing most of the action, and some anglers are hooking up on Gulp baits.
The area’s shrimp are still small, but they’re large enough to catch in a cast net now, and plenty large enough for effective baits.
Anglers are catching red and black drum in the ICW at structure like the Sunset Beach Bridge. Quartered blue crabs are ideal baits for both fish. Some larger reds (up to 28″) are feeding around creek mouths, grass edges, and oyster rocks in the waterway.
Flounder fishing is excellent in Tubbs Inlet, where anglers are hooking good numbers of flatties on Carolina-rigged mud minnows and other live baits.
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Cameron, of Little River Fishing Fleet, reports that inshore boats are hooking plenty of spanish mackerel just off the beaches and the inlet. Trolled Clarkspoons are very effective on the spanish. Some cobia are feeding in the same area, so anglers should keep a pitch rod rigged up when spanish fishing to throw at the cobia.
Bottom fishing at structure in the 30 mile range (90′ of water) produced some excellent action with jumbo sea bass last week. Cut squid produced much of the action.
Anglers on Gulf Stream bottom trips hooked some fat beeliners (2-4 lbs.), and a few scamp and gag grouper last week while dropping in 105-120′. Cigar minnows and squid produced most of the action.
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Daniel, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that live baiters landed three kings last week (the largest going 22 lbs.).
Gold hook rigs produced good catches of spanish mackerel and bluefish for pier anglers.
Bottom fishermen are hooking whiting and a few pompano, and those fishing smaller live baits on the bottom are picking up some flounder.
The water is 76 degrees.
