Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are still hooking some large red drum in Little River Inlet. Live or cut menhaden and mullet are fooling the reds, and drifting through the inlet has been the best bet.
Some flounder are falling for the live baits in the inlet, and anglers are also catching decent numbers around nearshore structure like the Jim Caudle Reef. Carolina-rigged menhaden and finger mullet are fooling the flounder offshore as well.
Spanish mackerel are feeding from the inlet to nearshore structure. Anglers who locate fish feeding on top can cast metal jigs like Deadly Dicks and even topwater plugs to hook up with the spaniards.
Inshore, there’s been a decent red drum bite in the shallows of the local creeks and rivers. Anglers with flats, skiffs, and other shallow draft boats are searching for signs of the reds feeding, then casting live or cut mullet nearby to hook up with them.
Some speckled trout are still feeding around the Little River jetties, and fishing live shrimp tight to the rocks has been the best bet for anglers looking to hook up with the specks.
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that drifting through the center of Little River Inlet is producing action with some large red drum (to 15-20 lbs.). Live finger mullet have been the best bet for the reds recently, and anglers should see the bite get even better as the water continues to cool.
Casting live shrimp on split-shot rigs near the rocks of the inlet jetties is producing some speckled trout action.
Smaller red drum (20-27”) are feeding in the grass and oysters of the area creeks and backwaters. Live mullet under popping corks are producing action with the reds inshore.
A few speckled trout are in the same areas and taking an interest in live mullet and shrimp.
Flounder have been scattered around all the spots where anglers are hooking reds and trout. Gulp baits have been producing results with the flatfish recently.
Ronnie, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers are hooking spot, sea mullet, and pompano while bottom fishing with shrimp and bloodworms.
Some bluefish and spanish mackerel are biting Gotcha plugs and mackerel tree rigs from the pier.
Larger spanish (4-6 lbs.) are taking an interest in live baits pinned to king rigs off the end of the pier.