July 24
Surface water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are about 85 degrees and water clarity varies. Some inshore areas are dirty while the ocean is fairly clear today.
Despite the heat Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that inshore fishing has been pretty good, with most species still biting in the usual places. Trout are being caught on live shrimp drifted around drop offs or any type of structure such as oyster beds. With the heat fish are more likely to be in 6 plus feet of water.
Redfish are being caught fairly shallow in the IntraCoastal Waterway and the creeks. On higher stages of the tide they are being caught around grass lines, while on lower tides they are oriented to oyster shells. Cut and live mullet as well as fresh cut or live shrimp are all working. Redfish can also be caught around docks.
There are also some big 30 plus inch fish being caught in the inlet on cut or live mullet or menhaden. The fish are in 20-30 feet off the ends of the rocks.
Some flounder are being caught casting at creek mouths or drop-offs with live mullet or Gulp! swimming minnows.
The black drum remains prolific all over the shallows, around docks, drops offs, oyster beds, and in holes – but almost all of the fish have been undersized. The population should be very strong in a year or two.
In the surf, Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that fishing has been a little slow in the heat, and there has not been a lot of bait around. A few whiting, ribbonfish, small spadefish and sheepshead have been caught, but bluefish, Spanish mackerel and king mackerel have all been absent.
Perhaps the most entertaining fishing has been taking place nearshore recently, and Captain Smiley reports that about two and a half miles offshore at the Jim Caudle Reef they have been catching a mixed bag of species. Plenty of nice flounder and small cobia are around, and there are also a variety of sharks and plenty of bluefish. Trolling
Clarks Spoons on #1 planers around the tide lines and sea buoys there are lots of Spanish mackerel to be caught, and off Hog Inlet has been particularly good.

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

June 30
Ocean surface water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are about 80 degrees. The water is clearing up nicely.
Even as it gets hot they are catching a mixed bag north of Myrtle Beach, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that most of the inshore species are biting despite the heat.
Trout are being caught on live shrimp drifted around shell banks on the incoming tide in the creeks, while redfish are being caught shallow in the IntraCoastal Waterway and the creeks. On higher stages of the tide they are being caught around grass lines, while on lower tides they are oriented to oyster shells. Cut and live mullet as well as fresh cut or live shrimp are all working. Redfish can also be caught around docks.
While the action has been best just across the border in North Carolina, there are some nice flounder being caught casting into deep holes, around dock pilings and near shell beds. Fish can be caught on Gulp! or live minnows/ mullet on ¼ ounce jigheads.
The black drum are prolific all over the shallows, around docks, and in holes – but almost all of the fish have been undersized. The population should be very strong in a year or two.
In the surf, Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that they have not caught any king mackerel or Spanish for about a week, but as the water has cleared they should be around all next month. They have had some very nice flounder over 20 inches caught in the last day or two, and whiting and spots are also being caught.
At the jetties there are some large drum over 30 inches and sharks which can be caught towards the ends of the rocks. They will eat cut bait or chunks of crab.
Nearshore Captain Smiley reports that there are some kings just off the beaches, and there are also plenty of Spanish mackerel. Spanish can be caught trolling Clarks Spoons on #1 planers around the tide lines and sea buoys. Sharks are everywhere.
Blue water fishing has again been limited since there has been so much wind over the last two weeks.

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