North Myrtle – November 17, 2016
Mark, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that the speckled trout bite has been on fire in the Myrtle Beach area. Vudu shrimp under a popping cork, or live shrimp if you can find them, have tempted bites from this seasonal favorite.
The black drum bite has also picked up quite a bit, with shrimp being the go-to for hooking the crustacean lover.
Paul Duguay, of Holden Beach, with a red drum caught on a live menhaden near the Lockwood Folly Inlet.
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that red drum are being caught on Gulp soft plastics, as well as fresh shrimp.
The trout bite has picked up, with artificials like DOA and Vudu shrimp working to fool the fish.
Black drum are holding around structure, and they will bite fresh and frozen shrimp.
Anglers shouldn’t be surprised to hook a flounder on occasion when using the fresh baits.
Nearshore, anglers have been connecting with king mackerel while slow trolling menhaden. Most of the large bull reds have moved from local waters.
Brandon Jadin, of Cherry Grove, with a 19 speckled trout caught in Hogg Inlet.
David, of Low Country Fishing Charters, reports that the trout bite inshore has been great, with Z-Man soft plastics working well on the fall specks. Use Trout Tricks or Swimming Trout Tricks to connect with the trout during rising tides, although live shrimp under a popping cork will work great, too.
Little River and Murrells Inlet are holding keeper-sized fish (most 14-23”), and the fish tend to be larger near the inlet. The trout should become thicker as the month goes on.
Those fishing in the trout areas and using live shrimp can expect to hook black drum, red drum, and the occasional flounder. Live shrimp really pulls a mixed bag, though red drum will also hit artificials targeted to trout.
The bull reds have pushed off and are no longer being hooked in the area.
The grouper bite is good in 65-70’ of water, and anglers can expect to find king mackerel holding in the same range. The cooler water pushed the kings off the beach, and live menhaden or cigar minnows on pirate plugs will help to hook the fish congregating in 65’ of water.
Wahoo and blackfin are being landed offshore near the Stream, and trolling skirted ballyhoo and Yo-Zuri bonita plugs will connect anglers to the fish.
McKayla Kirk (age 12) and Deja Smith (age 13), of Patrick, SC, caught these redfish on cut mullet near Winyah Bay.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that the half-day party boats are returning with black sea bass and small porgies. Anglers also connected with bluefish and spanish mackerel.
Charter boats were out around the 65’ Hole and the Atlantic Ledge trolling for kings. They often limited out, with stray false albacore mixed in.
Mike Monteith, of Clover, SC, with a 42 red drum caught on cut bait while fishing in Little River.
Matt, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that there was a recent run of spots in the past week, with anglers pulling them over the rails for three days straight. Fat black drum are also being landed, and anglers fishing the pier at night have caught and released large bull reds in the 40-45” range.
