North Myrtle Beach May 9, 2013
Mike Hayes, of New York City, with a speckled trout that bit a Gulp shrimp in Bonaparte Creek while he was fishing with Capt. Patrick Kelly of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters.
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that the wind and rain have made for some challenging fishing over the past week, but persistent anglers are still managing to put some fish in the boat.
Red and black drum are feeding in the local marshes and shallows, and Bonaparte Creek and Dunn Sound are producing action with both drums. The fish seem to be focused on crustaceans, and fresh shrimp and chunks of crab have been outproducing other baits. “Dead-sticking” the baits motionless on the bottom and waiting for the fish to smell them out has been the best bet in the roiled and choppy water lately.
Tubbs Inlet is also holding some black drum, and shrimp are proving effective there as well.
More reds and some large bluefish have been feeding in Little River Inlet, and both are biting Gulp baits and cut mullet.
Anglers are connecting with flounder in the marshes at Cherry Grove, but Tubbs and Little River inlets haven’t seen much in the way of flatfish yet. Most are still small in Cherry Grove, but anglers are hooking an occasional keeper on live mud minnows pinned to Carolina rigs.
Some speckled trout are still around, but the dirty, rough water has made them tough to find and hook.
Paul Rollins, of Newnan, GA, with a 27″ red drum that fell for a chunk of crab in some shallow water near Sunset Beach while he was fishing with Capt. Mark Dickson of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that the red and black drum bite is still going strong in the shallows in areas like Bonaparte Creek, Dunn Sound, and other spots off the ICW. The fish are feeding strongest in creekmouths and deeper holes on either side of the low tides, as the lower water concentrates the fish and bait. Both drum species seem to be keyed in on crabs right now, and chunks of blue crab (either hard or soft shell) are tempting plenty of bites.
Flounder are still feeding in the marshes around Cherry Grove and Tubbs Inlet, but most are still on the small side. Live baits like mud minnows are the way to get the flatfish to bite, and anglers should begin to see more keepers as the water temperatures climb.
Anne, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are hooking some sea mullet and a few spot on double-drop rigs baited with shrimp. A few black drum (some to 3-4 lbs.) are also biting the shrimp.
Smaller flounder are taking an interest in cut and live baits under the pier.
Anglers are also picking up some bluefish while working metal lures from the planks.
The water is 66 degrees.
