North Myrtle Beach – March 22, 2018
Ken, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that the trout bite has been decent, producing plenty of juvenile trout. Creek mouths and eddies seem to be holding the most fish. Casting lures such as small Vudu shrimp or light jig heads with Trout Tricks in the mood ring and opening night colors has brought the most success.
Those looking for red drum should focus on docks, using either fresh shrimp or artificials like the Vudu shrimp in chartreuse. The majority of these fish have been lower slot (between 15-18”).
Some smaller residential flounder have also been biting. They’re mostly falling for small artificials (shrimp-imitations and mullet).
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that fishing in creeks and shallow water has been very productive for red drum, with fish ranging from 15-28”. The better depths for targeting the reds has been anywhere from 1-5’. Using trolling motors and/or Power-Poles is favorable, as these fish are spooked easily.
Light jig heads tipped with mud minnows or Gulp soft plastics on a rising tide have been the key to fooling these redfish.
Those targeting black drum should fish deeper water around docks and other structure. These fish are being caught on fresh shrimp.
A few decent trout have been landed, including fish up to 4 lbs. being reported. Vudu shrimp has been the lure of choice for targeting these fish.
Brandon Jadin, of Cherry Grove, SC, with a 23″ speckled trout weighing 4 lbs. The fish fell for a D.O.A. shrimp.
Bob, of Strange Magic Fishing Charters, reports that due to the unusually cold air and water temperatures coupled with strong winds, fishing has been a bit tough the last few weeks.
The redfish have recently started to break from their winter schools, with the go to baits being fresh shrimp, live mud minnows, and Gulp baits. Anglers looking to connect with these fish should focus on the element of stealth and slowly troll/drift while casting towards banks.
The trout seem to be scarce, but when found they’ve been landed on Z-Man baits and MirrOlures.
Black drum are starting to show up. They’ve been found both around docks and in deep creek holes. The bait of choice has been fresh shrimp.
Due to the low water temperatures, the flounder may take a bit longer to return from their winter ocean haunts this year.
Keith, of North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters, reports that the red drum bite has been steady, with the majority of fish being 17-18”. Most of these fish have been back in the creeks, falling for live mud minnows and fresh shrimp on Carolina rigs.
Several flounder have also been caught in the creeks. The best areas to target are around drop-offs. Most of the flounder have been smaller, but a few keepers have been reported. The bait of choice has been mud minnows.
There are some small black drum around, and they are being landed on fresh shrimp.
A few specks have been caught. The trout are falling for small artificials, such as the 3” D.O.A. shrimp in chartreuse. These trout are being found around creek mouths with good water flow.
Scott Skrzydlinski, of Cherry Grove, SC, with a 28″ redfish caught fishing a pink Z-Man Trik Shot paired with a Z-Man Nedlocks jig head.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that half-day trips are returning with good numbers of black sea bass. These fish are being caught within the 5 to 10 mile range.
Those trolling Clarkspoons have connected with a few Atlantic bonito.
Gulf Stream fishing has been slow, mainly due to bad weather, but it should improve before early April.
Michael, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that pier anglers using shrimp have been steadily connecting with whiting, along with a few croaker and sand sharks.
A handful of flounder have been caught on the warmer days. The best tactic for the flounder has been shrimp or cut bait.
