November 20
Inshore surface water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand have dropped into the lower 60s. The water is still murky.
This is the about the best time of the year to fish in the Little River area, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that it’s a no-brainer to target trout right now. Last year at this time they were catching a bunch of fish in the 13-inch range, while this year the average size is an impressive 18 inches with plenty of fish in the 20-25 inch range (almost always released). There is a really good population of fish around.
Captain Smiley’s boats are mainly targeting the ICW, but they are also catching fish in the shallow creeks. Fish are off ledges, in deeper holes, and around oyster beds beside grass; they are as shallow as 2 feet and down to about 10-12. Tide does not seem to matter as long as there is moving water in either direction. Live shrimp, DOA Shrimp, Vudu Shrimp, and Trout Tricks are all working.
There are also redfish and black drum around in the same areas, although most of the redfish have been small in the 15-18 inch range. There are not a lot of 20-27 inch fish. The black drum are mainly in the 18-20 inch range, and they will eat live or cut shrimp. The reds will eat anything, and some of the bigger trout are also being caught on minnows.
They are still picking up some short flounder.
Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that they are still having some nice black drum caught off the pier as well as good numbers of whiting and croaker.

Jay A’Hern
Angler’s Headquarters (www.AnglersHeadquarters.com)
P.O. Box 50225
Columbia, SC 29250
jay@usfishingreport.com

October 31

Inshore surface water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand still range from the mid-70s on up.  With water temperatures still very warm the water has not yet cleared, and there are prolific mullet around as well as plenty of shrimp if you know where to look. 

Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that even with persistent warm temperatures a strong fall bite is in place, but just in time for his 3^rd Annual Inshore Slam and Festival temperatures are about to drop.  This should kick-start an even better fall bite as inshore species realize that they need to feed up as the days are numbered before the bait leaves the creeks.  With flounder harvest banned in North Carolina anglers will be competing for the best aggregate weight of trout and redfish, with over $3,000.00 on the line for first place.  The event will take place out of Cricket Cove Marina, and proceeds will benefit the Humane Society.  Sportsman’s Choice Marina is the headline sponsor.  

The trout bite has really picked up, and the best fishing is taking place on the low to rising tide around ledges and drops.  On higher tides the fish are doing well around grass and oyster beds.  Live shrimp, Zman baits, and Vudu Shrimp have all been working.  

Trout have also been feeding well at the jetties, mostly on live shrimp floated under a cork around the rocks.  

There is good action for redfish around ambush points, oysters and docks, and fish are also being caught around the same drops where the trout are feeding.  It is hard to find an area that only has one species right now, and reds are also out at the jetties.  

For redfish cut mullet, cut shrimp and artificial lures are all working.  

Bull red drum can still be found, but the bite is not as good as it was a few weeks ago. 

Black drum are in the same areas as the reds, although they are less likely to shy away from a strong current.  Docks, ledges and rocky bottoms all hold black drum with cut shrimp the best bait right now. 

A few flounder are still being picked up.  

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that with water temperatures still a very warm 74 degrees fishing has been good.  This past weekend a number of king mackerel were caught, and they have also had Spanish mackerel andbluefish caught off the pier.  Bull red drum over the slot have also been released, as well as black drum including some legal fish.  There have also been pompano, whiting, and a few spots caught.  With water temperatures still very warm this cold front should not push the fish out because water temperatures have so far to go before fish leave. 

Jay A’Hern
Angler’s Headquarters (www.AnglersHeadquarters.com)
P.O. Box 50225
Columbia, SC 29250
jay@usfishingreport.com