North Myrtle – March 24, 2016
Mark, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that the flounder bite is starting to pick up around the backwater creeks in the Cherry Grove estuary, with some keeper-sized fish in the mix. Live mud minnows on Carolina rigs are the way to go when targeting the early season flounder.
The speckled trout bite has also been solid around Little River and Tubbs Inlet, with high numbers of smaller sized fish. The larger trout have been caught near the jetties, but they are less numerous. Vudu shrimp, Gulp swimming mullet, as well as Z-Man trout tricks on 1/8 oz. Mission jig heads have been good ways to connect with the trout.
There has also been a solid red drum bite back in the areas around Dunn Sound, and black drum are being caught around Tilghman’s dock and the Sunset Beach Bridge pilings. Cut shrimp on Carolina rigs are providing a majority of the action with the red and black drum, and Gulp baits are also producing some action with the reds.
Alex Hrycak, of Myrtle Beach, with a 21” trout he landed near Pawleys Island on a Husky Jerk.
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that areas around Tubbs Inlet and Little River have been producing a solid speckled trout bite, with high numbers of fish but most on the smaller side. Vudu shrimp and Gulp baits on jig heads have been good ways to fool the trout, and for any fly anglers out there, some trout are being caught on Clouser Minnows as well.
The early season flounder are also beginning to heat up in the creeks around the Cherry Grove estuary. Some keeper fish are in the mix. Fishing live mud minnows on Carolina rigs is the best bet to connect with these early season flatfish.
Wayne and CJ Harris and Hunter Barbee, of Lake Wylie, SC, with an 18” red drum that inhaled a frozen shrimp in Little River Inlet.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that there has been some strong bottom fishing happening offshore. Anglers are finding nice catches of beeliners, triggerfish, porgies, large sea bass, and amberjacks, and the fishing should stay hot over the coming weeks. Also, with grouper season a little over a month away (May 1), there is plenty more to look forward to.
In the 25 mile range, there has been some great action with nice-sized black sea bass and false albacore. Dropping cut squid and sardines down to the bottom has been the key to hooking up with the big bass.
Eddie Rowell, from Winston Salem, holds a pair of reds that he and Darien Crumbley, of Myrtle Beach, landed on a double hook up near the North Myrtle Beach jetties.
Matt, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with some whiting, croakers, pufferfish, skates, and stingrays. Cut shrimp and squid on double-hooked bottom rigs has been a good way to bring some of these early season fish over the rail.
The water temperature is holding at a steady 60 degrees. Last week’s warm weather actually brought temps up to 64 degrees, but the recent cold snap and north winds have brought it back down.
