North Myrtle – June 23, 2016
Mark, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that the speckled trout bite has picked up. The fish are hanging out near grass banks and docks in the ICW, as well as creek mouths as they drain on the falling tide. Using Vudu shrimp or live shrimp under a popping cork is the best strategy when targeting the specks.
There have been a few flounder caught in the past weeks, with sizes ranging from 13-20”. Live mud minnows on a 1/4 oz. jighead has worked when tempting the flatfish to bite.
The red drum action has slowed, but black drum have been consistent. Both species of drum can be found around structure such as oyster beds, and they have been frequenting the Bonaparte Creek area as well. The fish are biting live shrimp and fresh shrimp fished on a Carolina rig.
Donna Taylor, of Elizabethtown, with a 21.5″ black drum she caught using shrimp on a Carolina rig near Dunn Sound.
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that a lot of small black drum are being caught in the ICW. These small fish are favoring live and fresh cut shrimp.
The trout bite has picked up, and these keeper-sized fish have been hitting live shrimp fished under a popping cork, as well as topwater plugs.
A few redfish have been caught on live menhaden and mud minnows.
The flounder bite is still heating up, with the fish falling for mud minnows and Gulp soft plastics.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that fishing in the Gulf Stream has been very active, with head boats coming back in with vermilion snapper, grunts, grouper, triggerfish, porgies, cobia, and amberjack.
Fishing 60 miles southeast of Little River, the boats also caught mahi on the drift line, along with big king mackerel. The mahi have weighed between 10-15 lbs., and several of the amberjack weighed in over 20 lbs. Jigging over structure offshore has also proven effective in landing a few African pompano.
Half-day excursions have yielded black sea bass, small pogies, rutterfish, grunts, and small sharks.
The sport fishing boats have connected with spanish mackerel, barracuda, and kings.
John, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with whiting, croakers, and flounder on bottom rigs. Most of the flounder coming over the rails are at least 14”.
Spanish and bluefish have been favoring gold spoons, but several have been caught while targeting other species with shrimp and squid.
The occasional spanish is still being caught, and a surprise jack crevelle was landed last week weighing in at 31.75 lbs.
Pompano, sheepshead, and spadefish have also been caught off the pier, falling for cut mullet, shrimp, and squid.
The water temperature is 81 degrees.
