North Myrtle Beach November 15, 2012
Terry Helms with a speckled trout that bit a live shrimp at the Little River Crossroads while he was fishing with Capt. Mark Dickson of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that speckled trout action has been nothing short of phenomenal in the area lately. Anglers are hooking big numbers (with fish running 15-18” on up to 4-5+ lbs.) in a variety of spots, but Coquina Harbor, the Crossroads, and the Little River swing bridge have played host to some of the best action.
Live shrimp are a virtual guarantee that anglers will connect with the specks, but chartreuse and clear D.O.A. shrimp are also proving effective. Anglers can fish the live shrimp until they locate actively feeding fish and then switch to artificials to conserve their shrimp.
Many anglers are also trolling for the trout with success, with swimbaits and MirrOlures in bright hues producing most of the action.
Good numbers of the area’s red drum have started to move into their winter haunts well up local creeks. With large lunar tides coming up, it’s time to chase them in the skinny water. Only shallow draft flats boats and kayaks can make it to many of the areas where the reds are feeding, but those who get into the creeks can often experience incredible action. Gulp baits or natural baits like mud minnows and chunks of crab will tempt bites from the cool-weather reds, and anglers often get a chance to sight cast to the fish. It’s also an excellent fishery for fly casters.
There’s still plenty of life around the Little River jetties, and drifting shrimp along the rocks under floats will tempt bites from speckled trout, red and black drum, and sheepshead.
The speckled trout action usually stays good through Thanksgiving and often much longer if the water temperatures remain in the 50’s, and anglers can expect the skinny water redfishing to hold up for most of the winter.
Jerry Szymczyk with a red drum he caught and released near Ft. Fisher after it struck a Gulp shrimp. He was fishing with his brother, Damon Barr, and Capt. Mark Armstrong of Reaction Charters and the anglers also landed more reds, speckled trout, black drum, and flounder.
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are hooking huge numbers of speckled trout in Coquina Harbor, around the Little River Crossroads, and at plenty of other spots in the area. Live shrimp under popping corks and on jigheads are tough to beat for the specks, but artificials have been effective lately as well, including spinnerbaits and paddle and curlytail soft plastics.
Some striped bass (most 7-10 lbs.) are also looking for meals in Coquina Harbor, so anglers may encounter a hefty surprise while trout fishing.
Some red drum are mixed in with the specks around the Crossroads and falling for the same baits and lures.
Reds, trout, black drum, and flounder are all looking for meals in Bonaparte Creek and near Tubbs Inlet, and they’ll all take an interest in live shrimp.
The inshore action should remain solid for some time as long as the temperatures don’t take a sharp dip.
Mike, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that bottom fishermen are connecting with some pufferfish and black drum while baiting up with cut shrimp.
A few flounder and speckled trout have been taking an interest in cut mullet on bottom rigs as well.
The water is 60 degrees.
