North Myrtle Beach/Little River – October 11, 2018
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that while Hurricane Florence blew some shrimp out of the creeks, there are still plenty of mullet and a decent shrimp population left.
Overall, the storm didn’t affect fishing too much, and the redfish bite has been excellent. Plenty of 17-25” reds have been biting on the low to rising tide, with live shrimp, mullet, and Vudu shrimp serving as great baits. Topwater fishing has also been consistent throughout the day.
On the incoming tide, trout can be caught in moving water along drops in the ICW, with the best action coming from 4-10’ of water on live and Vudu shrimp under popping corks.
Black drum can be found in the same areas, where they are biting live or fresh cut shrimp. The outgoing tide has been the best time to look for the black drum.
Flounder fishing has been productive on both sides of the high tide. The flatties are hanging in creek mouths and along oyster beds, with the best fishing coming from the gut of the bigger creeks. Live mullet and Gulp baits are both getting attention.
Ken, of Fin and Feather Light Tackle Fishing Charters, reports that big reds have shown up, with the incoming tide serving as the best time to find them. The creeks are holding a few fish, and while fishing the jetties has produced more, targeting schools of pogies off the beach has been the key. Using a live or cut pogie (the bigger the better) has been the best way to pull in a big red.
The creeks are much better, however, for flounder, which can be tricked with a live mullet on a Carolina rig. Upper-slot reds are coming in off Vudu shrimp fished around oyster beds and creek mouths on high water.
Now is the time for speckled trout to really start making a strong showing. Fishing grassy edges where the tide starts falling from its highest point is typically the best place to find a speck. A mood ring Trout Trick on a 1/8 oz. jig head is sure to get a bite, or using a traditional popping cork with a Vudu or DOA shrimp on 2-3’ leader is also effective.
Kylie Petrovich, of North Myrtle Beach, with a black drum she landed while soaking a piece of shrimp in the Cherry Grove area.
Keith, of Low Country Fishing Charters, reports that red drum have been the main target over the past few weeks, primarily because they tend to handle dirty water a little better than flounder and speckled trout (both of which have recently been few and far between).
The backwater creeks are holding slot-sized fish, where Carolina-rigged mullet is getting the most attention. The best place to fish is along the edge of grassy banks that have oyster shells. There have been plenty of bull reds (between 27-45”) on the Little River jetties, where mullet and menhaden on Carolina rigs with circle hooks are doing the most damage.
King fishing has been productive, but it takes a 37 mile trip out before you can find clean water.
Bob, of Strange Magic Fishing Charters, reports that the bite after the hurricane was a little slow, but it has improved quite a bit as of late. Trout are being caught in good numbers, with everything from Gulp, MirrOlures, and fresh shrimp working well.
Shrimp have been a little hard to come by after the storm, but the trout and redfish will eat them readily if you can find them. Redfish have also been caught in good numbers on artificial baits.
The black drum bite has slowed, probably because of all the freshwater runoff, but the best tactic to find them is just continue to try fresh shrimp around structure.
The flounder have been starting to turn back on, with live minnows (as well as jig heads with a plastic trailer) working the best.
Max Bovi and daughter Ada Mae with a an over-slot red drum that was caught and released on the falling tide just south of Lockwood Folly Inlet.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that nearshore bottom fishing has been a little tricky due to the murky water in the wake of Hurricane Florence, but offshore bottom fishing has been better than it’s been in years.
Grunts, triggerfish, amberjack, snapper, and just about every type of grouper have been filling up the box, with the 50 mile, 120’ range providing most of the action. Kings are biting the drift lines, and it has been near-impossible not to get a bite.
Offshore trolling in the 30 mile range has provided 30 lb. kings on spoons, with big bonita mixed in as well.
Steve, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that the flounder bite is on fire, with several 20”+ fish being caught on mud minnows. Whiting and croaker are being caught as well, and while there was a strong presence of blues, spanish, and kings being caught immediately after the storm, the bite has slowed down. Overall, the water is clearing up nicely, and there is definitely plenty of action.
