North Myrtle Beach/Little River – July 3, 2020
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that the big four inshore species are all biting well. Inside the creeks, trout and redfish are eating live shrimp fished against the grass. The rising tide and the beginning of the outgoing tide have been best, and cut mullet fished against the grass is also working well for redfish.
Small black drum are being caught around docks, shell beds, and downed trees on live or cut shrimp. Lower stages of the tide have fished the best.
The flounder action has been good on live mullet or mud minnows, and artificial baits such as white Gulp jerk shads fished on a 3/8 oz. jig head have also been effective. Both trolling and casting have been working.
The jetties have also been productive, with trout, redfish, and black drum all being caught on live shrimp.
Nearshore there are tons of spadefish on the reefs, and there are also cobia around. The bigger cobia (over 36”) have been caught dropping live pinfish down on the bottom.
Spanish mackerel are being caught trolling Clarkspoons behind #1 planers around the tide lines and sea buoys.
Bob, of Strange Magic Fishing Charters, reports that the flounder bite is on. Live minnows, as well as Gulp soft plastics pinned to jig heads, are working well for the flatties. Look for structure such as docks and deeper holes in creeks, as well as on the grass edges at higher parts of the high tide.
Remember the creek mouths and marsh drains on a falling tide will be great places to fish as all the bait is coming out of the water. If lots of anglers are around, try to be inventive and go deeper into the creeks to find new spots off the beaten path. Avoiding days where there is a lot of boat traffic will help make you successful.
Red drum are hitting topwater plugs early in the morning. Put your trolling motor down to be as stealth as possible. Higher tides up on the grass seem to work best. Red and black drum can be found around docks, and using fresh and live shrimp will bring them out of hiding. Popping corks and slip floats can bring in some action as well. Look for fish at docks with unique features. Older, longer structure nearby and creek marsh drains that are close are all good signs of a possible great dock for fishing.
Trout are biting but not as often. Gulp baits in the usual places are working best right now. With all of the rain and flooding recently, the water is very muddy and making the fishing tough at times. Patience and a little scent added onto a bait will help increase catch rates.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that sharks (particularly blacktips) have been all over the beach lately, especially in the early morning. Also, a lot of smaller sharks have been found in the 5-8 mile range, where plenty of sea bass and porgies can also be caught.
The 10 mile range has been holding a lot of barracuda, in addition to both spanish and king mackerel. The real king action is in the 30 mile range, where boats are catching limits of fish daily. Drone spoons, planers, and Sea Witches have been the key to catching the kings.
Along with more kings, some bonita and a couple of small dolphin have come from the 30 mile range.
Gulf Stream fishing has been excellent, with lots of big grouper, scamps, cobia, and near-limitless grunts and triggers. The hotspot has been 50 miles out (in 110’ of water), with cut squid and sardines serving as the best bait.
Cameron, of Little River Fishing Fleet, reports that out at the Gulf Stream, mahi have been brought in using drift lines behind the boat, and large African pompano have been falling for jigs. Grouper, snapper, and large black sea bass are all coming in off the bottom.
King mackerel are biting in the 20-35 mile range. Bottom fishing in this range has been fantastic, with the action including triggerfish, sea bass, gags, scamps, and grunts.
Nearshore there have been reports of blacktip and Atlantic sharpnose sharks, sea bass, and larger sharks. There has also been reports of schools of sea trout.
Gag grouper and scamps (around 20+ lbs.) have been seen in the 10 mile range.
Michael, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that the king mackerel fishing has been phenomenal. Last week 13 kings were caught, and over the weekend an additional 8 or 9 fish were landed.
The usual suspects of bluefish, whiting, and a few spots are also around.
Lynn, of Apache Pier, reports that anglers are bringing in black drum, trout, and spanish mackerel. Fresh shrimp will produce for all of these species.
There have been 17 king mackerel brought in over the rails.
