North Myrtle Beach Winter 2009
Capt. Mark Dickson, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing in North Myrtle Beach, with a 10+ lb. striped bass that fell for a Gulp jerkbait in the ICW near Little River.
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing, reports that anglers are still catching plenty of speckled trout at the Little River jetties (with fish to over 8 lbs. landed last week). Live shrimp fished under floats are the most productive baits for the trout.
There have also been some specks feeding near the lighthouse at Coquina Harbor, although they haven’t taken much of an interest in shrimp. Instead, anglers are catching them by trolling soft plastic lures, and bright colors seem to be producing the most action.
Last winter saw excellent trout fishing continue through January, February, and March around Little River, but the water is running 4-5 degrees colder than it was last year at this time, so it remains to be seen how long the bite will stay good.
In the backwaters off the ICW in the area, the shallow water redfishing has been phenomenal lately, and anglers are seeing more reds than they have in the past few years.
Most of the action lately has been in around 18″ of water, and anglers are sight casting to wakes the fish create in the shallow water and blind casting to deeper holes with success.
Gulps are drawing most of the red bites, and the 3″ shrimp on 1/4 oz. Mission Fishin’ jigheads have been productive in just about any color.
Victor Petriella, of Longs, SC, with a 6.65 lb. speckled trout that fell for a MirrOlure in the Cherry Grove area.
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Charters, reports that the backwater red drum bite has been hot at spots off the ICW between Little River and the state line. A falling or low tide in the middle of the day produces the best action, and anglers are finding the fish feeding around oyster bars, deeper 2-3′ holes, and turns in the creeks.
The 3″ Gulp shrimp or jerk shads fished weedless on offset worm hooks are the top baits, and anglers should try to get away with as little weight as possible, using weighted hooks or 1/8 oz. jigheads when the Gulp alone isn’t heavy enough.
Working the baits slowly is also essential to hooking up with the fish.
The speckled trout bite is going strong as well, and anglers are finding action with the specks around the Little River jetties, Sunset Beach Bridge, Coquina Harbor, and the Little River swing bridge. D.O.A. and Billy Bay Halo shrimp imitations are some of the best artificials for the specks, but live shrimp are even better if anglers can find them.
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Drew, of Crowd Pleaser Sportfishing, reports that king mackerel and amberjack have moved into their winter patterns and will be feeding around temperature breaks well offshore of the area for the next several months. Wherever anglers can find warm water (over 67 degrees) and bait marks, the kings won’t be far behind.
Live baits are tough to come by this time of year, but the fish will eat dead cigar minnows and spoons just as well, as they’re aggressively feeding.
Several wahoo have been caught lately in the Gulf Stream, and they should be feeding offshore of the area for most of the winter as well. The Blackjack Hole, Winyah Scarp, and other well known blue water spots in the area are good places to begin looking for the wahoo.
Bottom fishermen and divers are finding plenty of grouper in the 100+’ depths. The fish will be in the same areas all winter, but anglers won’t be allowed to fish for them after January 1.
Mike, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers have been picking away at black drum (around 15″) all week on fresh shrimp
A few speckled trout are falling for Gotcha plugs and grubs.
Anglers are still picking up a few blues on cut bait and Gotchas.
