North Myrtle Beach March 10, 2011
Capt. Mark Dickson, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, with a red drum he hooked on a Gulp shrimp in the backwaters of Little River.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are still finding excellent shallow-water red drum angling, as they have all winter long. The fish are feeding in the skinny water back in the area creeks and marshes, and it takes a very shallow-draft flats skiff to get to the fish instead of getting stuck on a sand or oyster bar. Once anglers can pole their way back to where the reds are feeding, they’ll quite likely be able to sight-cast to the fish. Gulp shrimp and crabs are producing most of the action with the reds, and natural baits like shrimp or strips of mullet will get their attention as well. Fishing the Gulps or baits on light Blue Water Candy Avenger jigheads has been the most effective tactic.
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are catching red drum in the shallows off the ICW and other backwaters in the area. The fish are also beginning to feed around many of their springtime haunts in the ICW and canals at lower tides, so anglers who don’t have access to a flats skiff or other shallow draft craft can get in on the action as well. As the tides rise, the fish are pushing into the creeks and other shallow areas, so anglers with flats boats can follow them as the tide rises.
Crabs, Gulp baits, and live mud minnows fished on jigheads are attracting plenty of attention from the reds.
Anglers also found some drum feeding in the surf near the Little River jetties recently, and they were able to hook good numbers on crab baits.
Capt. Mark Stacy with a red drum he hooked at the Sunset Beach Bridge while fishing with Capt. Mark Dickson of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters.
Mike, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers have just begun to see the first sea mullet of the year over the past week. Most are falling for shrimp on bottom rigs, and the action should get better and better as the water temperature rises.
Some sand sharks and skates are also falling for shrimp.
As the water gets warmer in late March, anglers should see the first bluefish of the year, followed closely by a host of other fish.
The water is 56 degrees.
