North Myrtle Beach – May 21, 2015
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are seeing the flounder fishing get better and better throughout the area. Unsurprisingly, there’s been good flatfish action in Cherry Grove and Tubbs inlets, but anglers are also connecting with solid catches in Dunn Sound, the Ocean Isle canals, and other local inshore spots. Cherry Grove is still producing some of the largest fish so far despite very heavy fishing pressure, but keepers are sprinkled in with undersized fish at all the spots.
Capt. Kevin Sneed, of Rigged and Ready Charters, and Jeff Schucker, of Blandon, PA, with a large gag grouper that struck a 4 oz. Blue Water Candy Roscoe Jig while they were fishing along the break off Holden Beach.
Anglers are tempting the flatfish to bite Gulp Shrimp and Swimming Mullet baits reliably along with standard live baits like mud minnows. Tiger-side minnows along with the largest mud minnows anglers can get their hands on will tempt bites from the larger flatfish more consistently than smaller offerings.
Red drum action is still a bit off locally, but anglers are finding and hooking up with some reds. Live mud minnows seemed to outproduce chunks of soft and hardshell crabs last week, so anglers may not need to go to the expense of purchasing crabs in order to connect with one of the reds.
Jamie A. Jordan, of Wilmington, with one of many dolphin along with a blue marlin he and friends hooked while fishing 60 miles off Little River with Capt. Danny Juel.
Some smaller speckled trout have been feeding in the ICW near Little River, where anglers are tempting them to bite Vudu Shrimp and other soft plastic baits.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers continue to find plenty of flounder action in the marsh at Cherry Grove and other areas near the inlets. More keepers continue to be mixed in with the small fish as the season progresses. Live mud minnows or Gulp baits fished on light Carolina rigs or jigheads will tempt bites from the flatfish.
Red drum are still feeding in the creeks around Little River and Sunset Beach, with a few black drum mixed in. Both will bite fresh shrimp or chunks of crab. Anglers can also tempt the rest to take an interest in live mud minnows, cut baits, or Gulps on light jigheads.
Larry, of Voyager Charters, reports that anglers are landing solid catches of black sea bass, beeliners, triggerfish, grunts, porgies, amberjacks, and grouper while bottom fishing at offshore structure in 100’ of water and deeper. Most of the bottom dwellers are falling for squid, cut baits, and cigar minnows.
Ron, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers have been hooking some black drum while bottom fishing with shrimp.
Those working mackerel tree and gold hook rigs or Gotcha plugs from the planks saw some decent spanish mackerel action last week and continue to connect with bluefish.
