North Myrtle – March 26, 2015
Mark, of Shallow Minded Inshore Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are connecting with some speckled trout around the Little River area and most are feeding in deeper water than is typical for this time of spring. Coquina Harbor and various spots along the ICW have been producing the lion’s share of anglers’ specks recently. Soft plastic shrimp imitations are the best bets for the trout right now, and Halo and Vudu shrimp have both been producing. Anglers may also be able to tempt the trout to bite suspending hard lures like MirrOlure MR17’s. The trout should move into shallower water and begin feeding a bit more enthusiastically as the water temperatures climb a bit over the month of April.
Tim Gallimore and Daniel Simmons with a 26 lb. golden tilefish they hooked in 900′ of water 90 miles off Ocean Isle Beach.
Red drum are still holding along the shallow flats and creeks where they spent the winter. The fish have been exposed to plenty of angling pressure over the cool season, so they’ve been reluctant to bite anglers’ offerings recently. Those pursuing the reds should fish scented baits slowly along the bottom and attempt as stealthy a presentation as possible (making long casts and staying as quiet as possible in the boat) in order to up their odds of a strike. Natural baits like mud minnows and chunks of shrimp and crab may also do a better job of appealing to the reds than artificials.
There’s been some blackfin tuna action for boats making the long run to the Gulf Stream and trolling small lures.
Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that anglers are seeing some speckled trout action around Little River, with Coquina Harbor and the local bridges producing much of the best fishing lately. The specks are looking for meals in 6-10’ of water, and successful anglers are targeting the fish with Vudu shrimp by jigging them slowly in that depth range or creeping the baits along the bottom.
Red drum are still feeding in the skinny water where they spent the winter, but they should begin filtering out of the shallows to their more typical spring spots as the water temperatures tick up a few degrees.
Larry, of Voyager Charters, reports that anglers are hooking plenty of fat black sea bass while dropping baits to structure 30-35 miles off Little River Inlet. Spots in the 90’ range have been most productive lately (with some bass 4+ lbs.). Squid and cut baits on double drop bottom rigs are tough for the bass to turn down.
Smaller sea bass are feeding alongside dogfish at bottom structure closer to land.
The water is still quite cold, but anglers should see a short run of Atlantic bonito around the area’s nearshore structure when it finally pushes into the 60’s.
Steve, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers are hooking a few smaller sea mullet and croaker along with plenty of rays. Shrimp and cut baits are fooling most of the bottom feeders. Some pufferfish and larger sea mullet should begin showing up over the coming weeks as the water temperatures climb.
The water is 55 degrees.
