North Myrtle Beach – May 7, 2015
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that the flounder bite in Cherry Grove continues to be solid and anglers are hooking big numbers in the creeks and marsh throughout the area. Undersized fish are still making up the majority of the action, but legal and larger fish are showing up in increasing numbers and the trend should continue over the coming weeks. Drift-fishing with live mud minnows is producing most of the flounder, but anglers are hooking up while casting Gulp baits on jigheads as well.
Jared Cox, of Shallotte, NC, with a 22.5 lb. king mackerel he hooked 3 miles off Ocean Isle Beach.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers continue to find excellent flounder action in the marsh at Cherry Grove and other shallow spots near the inlets. Many of the fish are still on the small side, but keepers are in the mix and more will be showing up by the week. 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 Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are seeing some excellent bottom fishing at offshore structure off Little River Inlet. Beeliners, triggerfish, grunts, porgies, sea bass, and more are feeding around the structure and biting squid and cut baits. Amberjacks, almaco jacks, grouper, and cobia are in the same areas and falling for larger cut, dead, and live baits.
Anglers are also finding some action with king mackerel in the same vicinity and tempting them to bite free-lined dead baits.
Steve, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers are hooking big numbers of bluefish along with some spanish mackerel from the pier. Both Gotcha plugs and mackerel tree or gold hooks rigs are fooling the blues and spaniards.
Bottom fishermen are connecting with black drum, sea mullet, and croaker while baiting up with shrimp.
Those soaking live baits on the bottom are catching decent numbers of flounder (and some keepers).
The water is 67 degrees.
