North Myrtle/Little River – May 2024
Wes, of Dave’s Outpost, reports that anglers in the surf zone have been catching a bunch of black drum, as well as a few scattered red drum, on fresh shrimp.
A good number of flounder are also starting to show up, which is a good sign this early in the season.
Nearshore anglers are finding the casting and trolling action picking up. They’ve had a great Atlantic bonito run, with spanish mackerel and bluefish also in the mix.
Inshore, the red drum are starting to get more active as they spread throughout the area.
Some keeper speckled trout are in the same areas that anglers are finding redfish. Live shrimp under a cork will be the top producing tactic for both species.
Flounder fishing inside is already getting good, with these flatfish just starting to move back in from off the beach.
Chris, of Fine Catch Fishing Charters, reports that the black drum have really made a strong push in the creeks and along the ICW. Anglers have done best by targeting the bigger structures located in deeper water. If the current is moving quickly, use a Carolina rig with shrimp or fiddler crabs. If the current is slower, rig these baits on 1/4 or 3/8 oz. jig heads.
Nearshore runs are seeing a bunch of action out on the reefs in the 3-9 mile range. Gray trout, bluefish, spanish mackerel, and Atlantic bonito have all been active. Trolling mackerel trees behind #1 planers has been best for numbers, but many choose to catch these fish on light weight setups with Sea Striker Jigfish and other casting spoons.
Buddy, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that with water temperatures now around 65 degrees, anglers have started to see the first wave of spanish mackerel moving through. These aren’t the larger, well-fed spanish, but it’s nice to see some action nearshore.
Atlantic bonito fishing has been spectacular in the 50-60’ range. That being said, this warmer water trend will likely have them moved on very quickly.
The nearshore wrecks are loaded with gray trout and bluefish for anglers jigging metals.
The inshore area is starting to see red drum action getting better with each warming spell. Anglers are still having the most success targeting the backs of creeks. The water has been pretty dirty, so bottom-rigged live mud minnows or dead shrimp have been best.
The dead shrimp has also produced black drum.
Some speckled trout are being caught in the creeks, though the action isn’t really hot and heavy. Anglers are getting the most strikes by drifting live shrimp under slip corks.
The jetties are always an option, with catches of black drum, scattered red drum, and a few (but large) speckled trout.
Bob, of Strange Magic Fishing Charters, reports that flounder are moving back inside and are staged up in creek holes, around docks, and on ICW banks. They are hitting live mud minnows or soft plastics slowly dragged along the bottom.
For red drum, popping corks rigged with mud minnows or live shrimp are working especially well on higher tides around areas with structure or where shell banks meet grass.
Speckled trout will hit these same baits fished under corks with target areas being holes back in the creeks or scattered along the ICW.
Black drum are back in the creeks, along the jetties, and around ICW docks. Bottom-rigged fresh or live shrimp works best in enticing a bite.
Capt. Curtis Smith, of Little River, landed this spanish mackerel in his home waters using a Big Nic Spanish Candy. He was fishing with Capt. Buddy Love of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters.
Bevan, of Chilly Water Fishing, reports that water temperatures are beginning to come up and anglers are spotting schools of bait and flying fish on the surface.
Bottom fishing anglers are seeing the larger black sea bass starting to move out into deeper water, but the vermilion snapper are plentiful in the 75-120’ range. Cut squid or any variety of cut bait has produced best.
Triggerfish are around for those targeting structure out in 100-120’.
With grouper season kicking off May 1, anglers have already found some nice fish as bycatch when out in the deeper waters and look forward to having a successful season. Look for the bigger scamp grouper to be out in the 110-130’ area.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that deeper water is producing catches of large vermilion snapper, triggerfish, rudderfish, amberjacks, grunts, and large porgies.
The grouper season opens May 1, and it’s predicted to be strong bite right from the start. Anglers have already found assorted grouper while dropping in the standard deeper water areas, and as these anglers more specifically target the grouper species, there will be even more hookups of scamps, reds, gags, and strawberries.
American red snapper releases are sure to be in the action, too, with these fish loaded up over the same grouper areas.
Trolling trips have landed some wahoo and blackfin tuna, and when water temps hit the 72-degree mark, those species will really fire up.
The first wave of mahi typically shows up sometime in May.
Nearshore anglers had an excellent Atlantic bonito bite, one of the best in years. The rising water temperatures will move these fish on, but spanish mackerel slide in and fill the void.
Scott, of Apache Pier, reports that good weather saw anglers catching their limit of spanish mackerel, as these fish have recently moved into the area with the cleaner water.
A bunch of bluefish are also around, and the blues are coming both from casting and bottom fishing efforts.
Bottom rigs with shrimp are producing black drum and plenty of croakers.
Ed, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that spanish mackerel and bluefish are showing up in numbers as the water temperatures warm.
Bottom fishing has been producing some quality whiting and a bunch of croakers.
The first few flounder have started to show up for anglers targeting the bottom.
