North Myrtle – July 21, 2016
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that inshore trout fishing has been strong in the area. Fish can be targeted with topwaters, as well as live shrimp floated under a popping cork. Anglers are connecting with many small black drum using live shrimp, with some sheepshead falling for the same bait. Flounder have been caught recently on live minnows, menhaden, and Gulp soft plastics.
Slot-sized redfish have been hard to find in the area, but anglers can connect with over-slot fish in the channels using large menhaden.
Nearshore anglers are finding spanish mackerel out near the jetties, as well as many Atlantic sharpnose sharks, blacktip sharks, and king mackerel at the reefs. Red drum can also be found just beyond the breakers near menhaden balls.
Matt Schaeffer, of Memphis, TN, pictured with Sean Morris, caught this 77 lb. cobia fish 5 miles offshore live bait.
David, of Low Country Fishing Charters, reports that inshore the red drum bite has been spotty, and no pattern can be picked up yet. A few of the larger drum have been hanging around the jetties, and they will take menhaden or mullet on the bottom.
Speckled trout are hanging around grass edges, piers, and structure, and they’re falling for small menhaden or live shrimp under a floating cork.
There aren’t as many flounder in the area waters, but the ones that are still around are a larger size, with many between 4-6 lbs., and larger fish up to 10 lbs. have been reported. Using bigger baits, like larger finger mullet and menhaden on a Carolina rig, have led to catching bigger fish.
Larger, nearshore flounder are heading out to cooler water, and they can be found near the reefs about 3 miles off the beach.
Offshore trollers have connected with king mackerel and scattered mahi in 70-80’ of water. Cigar minnows behind Pirate Plugs or Hank Browns seem to be doing the trick, but live menhaden also work.
Bottom fishing nearshore has slowed down, with most of the fish comprised of beeliners and grunts. Moving out to 100’ of water is your best bet for a variety of bottom fish, including grouper and triggerfish.
Amberjacks and barracuda can be found on offshore reefs, and a few sailfish have also been reported.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that anglers in the Gulf Stream are connecting with grouper, African pompano, beeliners, triggerfish, and porgies. King mackerel and mahi have been landed on drift lines.
The charter boats have had success trolling for kings and barracuda, along with spanish. Bottom fishing has yielded snapper, grouper, triggerfish, and amberjacks.
Half-day trips have connected with spanish while trolling, and they’ve also hooked up with large barracuda on nearshore wrecks. Big blacktip sharks have been hooked within a couple of miles of the beach.
Bottom fishing on the party boats has yielded black sea bass, ringtails, and Atlantic sharpnose sharks.
John, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with a variety of panfish, including whiting, croaker, and a few spot. The flounder bite has picked up as well, with mostly 16” fish being caught (but a few fish up to 24” mixed in).
There has been a decent run of bluefish with a few spanish mackerel mixed in, and the first tarpon was recently hooked.
