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Fishing Report
January 6
Water temperatures are in the upper 40s and lower 50s and water conditions are gin clear in the shallows when there isn’t a bunch of recent rain.
On some parts of the South Carolina coastline artificial lures are out-fishing live bait, but on the north end of the Grand Strand Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that there are plenty of trout to be caught – if you have live shrimp. It is very hard to get bites on artificial lures. With shrimp trout seem abundant, including some big fish up to 20 plus inches, and the jetties seem to be holding the most trout.
Creek mouths close to the inlet are also holding trout, as are creek mouths close to the ocean. However, the main run of the ICW is a trout desert.
Redfish are in a typical winter pattern, and they are up shallow feeding on the low incoming tide – especially if you can catch a low tide in the warmer part of the day. The best place to look for them is in the potholes and surrounding ditches with 2-4 feet of water where they will school up. Casting pretty much any artificial lure will work but Gulp! or small paddletail grubs have been really good.
In holes, around deeper docks, and at the jetties there are also plenty of black drum that can be caught on live or fresh dead shrimp. There have been good numbers of fish in the 17-19 inch range.
Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) is closed for renovations.
December 20Water temperatures are in the lower 50s, but the water has not yet gotten to its typical gin clear winter color.
Even though the weather has been pretty tough recently, when they can get out on the north end of the South Carolina Grand Strand Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that inshore fish are settling into winter patterns. They have caught some really big trout on artificial lures recently, with fish around drops in the IntraCoastal. The jetties are also holding good numbers of trout. However, if you really want to slay the trout live shrimp (available at some area stores) are hard to beat.
The redfish are also getting into their winter patterns, and the best time to catch them is on the low to rising tide when they are bunched up in big groups in deeper potholes in the shallows. You can still catch some on the higher tides but they aren’t grouped up as well. Gulp!, fresh cut shrimp, or live mud minnows will all work.
If you fish with fresh cut shrimp you will also catch some black drum in the same areas, and they are also schooled up around shell beds and docks. At times the black drum will group up very tightly.
November 19Water temperatures did fall into the 60s but then heated back up to 70, but it finally looks surface water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand have dropped backed into the 60s for good. With the recent king tides, wind and rain clarity is low. Bait is just starting to leave the creeks.
The last couple of days have finally seen more seasonal weather on the north end of the South Carolina Grand Strand, but Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that water temperatures started out so warm that things are still running a couple of weeks behind. The trout bite slowed down as temperatures got warm, but as temperatures drop they are looking for the action to get very hot and the best is almost certainly yet to come. The strongest pattern is drifting shrimp suspended under a float, and the incoming tide has fished the best. Trout are around ledges, areas with current, grass lines and covered oyster shells. Look for fish in about 6 feet of water.
Redfish are being caught on the same pattern as the trout, but they are also catching fish shallower around docks and structure with jigs fished on the bottom. However, live shrimp is still the best bait for reds.
The black drum are also biting pretty well but they are generally hanging a little deeper. The best place to fish for them is around ledges on the incoming tide.
In the surf, Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that they are catching redfish and black drum, a few flounder, croaker, whiting, and the last of the pompano. While spot are not running there are a few around.
While there are probably plenty of fish to be caught out at the jetties, it has been so rough that Captain Smiley’s boat has stayed inside the inlet.
Jay A'Hern
Angler's Headquarters (www.AnglersHeadquarters.com)
P.O. Box 50225
Columbia, SC 29250
October 24Surface water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand have risen to 74 degrees. Particularly on the incoming tide the water is a pretty blue color. While finger mullet remain abundant in the creeks and menhaden are thick off the beach, shrimp are still hard to come by.
The redfish action has been outstanding for the last couple of weeks, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that inside the creeks they are catching lots of smaller reds, a bunch of 18-23 inch fish, and some up to 26 inches. Spots are tide-dependent, and on lower tides they are fishing holes in the creeks while on higher tides they are fishing around grass and oysters. The best baits have been live finger mullet on a jighead, but Gulp! shrimp are also working.
The flounder fishing is still pretty good, but right now they are catching more short fish and lower numbers of keepers. Live finger mullet and Gulp! baits are both working.
On the incoming tide they are catching black drum on fresh cut shrimp fished around docks and certain oyster beds that the fish seem to like.
The trout fishing continues to be off, and it seems likely that this is the result of a couple of factors. First, shrimp are still hard to come by and so floating live shrimp around has not been as much of an option. Second, temperatures have not dropped yet. They did catch a nice trout on finger mullet today, perhaps a sign of good things to come.
In the surf, Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that whiting and croaker are both biting well, and there have been a few black drum too. But by far the most exciting action is with the king mackerel, and in the past two weeks more than 70 fish have been caught. In the last two days 17 have been landed! A few Spanish mackerel are also around although they have slowed off the pier.
While smaller redfish are biting inshore, the fishing for bigger drum has been pretty good in the inlet and off the beaches. Fish from 30 to 40 plus inches have been caught around the rocks, in holes in the inlet and following the schools of menhaden down the beach. Some of these schools are half an acre or more and if you drop baits into them you will pick up drum and sharks. They are usually just outside the breakers in 5-20 feet of water and the pelicans will point you to them.
There has also been some outstanding Spanish mackerel fishing in the inlet, with many of the fish 2-3 pounds and better. It’s as simple as looking for the diving birds and then casting spoons to them, and you can also troll or cast Mirrolures at the Spanish.
Jay A'Hern
Angler's Headquarters (www.AnglersHeadquarters.com)
P.O. Box 50225
Columbia, SC 29250
jay@usfishingreport.com
October 7
Surface water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are about 72 degrees. While mullet are abundant, shrimp are small and hard to catch right now.
The strong fishing that started this summer is extending into the fall, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that despite the occasional slower trip overall the fishing has been very good.
This has been an excellent year for redfish, and as expected at this time of year there are tons of small reds in the 15-17 inch range around. They are being caught on live mullet on a 3/8 ounce jighead or cut shrimp. The outgoing tide has been the best fishing around oyster beds or creek mouths.
There are bull reds in the inlet, but either the fishing is just getting started or the action is going to be a little spotty this year. Cut mullet are working the best and you can’t miss the boats that are fishing around the rocks or in holes.
While the flounder fishing is closed again in North Carolina, they are catching lots of fish in South Carolina waters on finger mullet. Fishing deep holes in the creeks on the incoming tide has been the best pattern.
Black drum have also been biting very well on the incoming tide using cut shrimp around docks and drops.
Perhaps because of the absence of shrimp the trout season has not really kicked off yet, but the few fish they are catching have been oversized. They are coming on topwater plugs and finger mullet.
Jay A'Hern
Angler's Headquarters (www.AnglersHeadquarters.com)
P.O. Box 50225
Columbia, SC 29250
September 10Surface water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand remains about 86 degrees. The creeks, inlets and surf are full of finger mullet.
As the mullet run heats up the fishing is getting even better on the north end of the Grand Strand, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that this past week the catches of redfish have been pretty exceptional. On high tides they are catching fish around grass lines, while on the low to incoming tide the best action has been around docks, bulkheads and rocks. The fish are really concentrating on mullet right now and so live finger mullet have been the best bait.
Right after the North Carolina flounder season opened up they were catching a high percentage of better fish, but now that the season has been open for a little while more short fish are being landed. Still the flounder fishing has been pretty good on finger mullet, with the best catches coming on lower water in deep holes.
While trout can also be picked up on finger mullet, the best action has come floating live shrimp around oyster and drops on the incoming tide. Target 6-8 feet of water.
There have not been a lot of black drum caught but some have been biting on live shrimp fished around docks.
While Captain Smiley has spent more time inside the inlet, out at the Little River jetties there have been loads of sharks, redfish and trout caught around the rocks. Spanish mackerel are also thick, and anglers are catching them either throwing topwater lures or light-lining with live mullet.
There have been no reports of big red drum showing up yet, but any time now they should arrive. The bulls will be caught in the middle of the main channel in the inlet or against the rocks. While mullet will work live menhaden are usually tough to beat.
In the surf, Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that whiting, bluefish and flounder have been biting. A few spots are being caught but they are not really running yet. A king mackerel was landed this morning and plenty of nice Spanish mackerel are being caught.
Jay A'Hern
Angler's Headquarters (www.AnglersHeadquarters.com)
P.O. Box 50225
Columbia, SC 29250
jay@usfishingreport.com
August 25Surface water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are about 86 degrees and water clarity is typical for summer. On some rainy days the water stays dirty, but generally it’s clean on the incoming and dirty on the outgoing. The creeks are filled with shrimp and mullet.
It’s been a phenomenal summer of fishing on the north end of the Grand Strand, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly(843-361-7445) reports that even as the tourist season begins to (slightly) drop off the fishing will only get better and better.
The headline species right now is the flounder, and after a year where flatfish on the North Carolina side of the border were closed to harvest we are currently in a month-long window where fish in both Carolinas can be kept. The fishing has been excellent over sandy bottoms on finger mullet, and the key is working the deeper holes as long as the tides will allow.
The redfish action has also been nothing short of spectacular, with fish being caught around docks and holes on live finger mullet or cur mullet.
You will pick up some trout fishing with finger mullet, but the best way to target specks is with live shrimp under a popping cork. On higher tides fish along grass lines and over oyster beds, while on the outgoing tide you should target ledges in 6-8 feet of water.
The black drum remain prolific all over the shallows, but docks have held by far the most fish in the last few weeks. There are still lots of small fish around, boding well for the future, but more 14-20 inch fish have been caught recently too. Fishing cut shrimp on low tide has been the ticket.
In the surf, Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that they have seen a lot of croaker, whiting, stingrays, ribbonfish and sea robins recently. While there have not been any king mackerel lately, some nice-sized Spanish have been landed. There were also some good flounder last week.
While you can catch flounder in the creeks or in the surf, the best flounder fishing is at nearshore reefs like the Caudle Reef two and a half miles out. If you work live finger mullet around the edges you can pick up some doormats, and there is also a mixed bag of bluefish, small black sea bass, small cobia, sharks and Spanish mackerel.
Jay A'Hern
Angler's Headquarters (www.AnglersHeadquarters.com)
P.O. Box 50225
Columbia, SC 29250
July 24Surface 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
June 15Inshore surface temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are around 78 degrees. With the Waccamaw River flooded for the last week the water has been darker, and a new round of rain will probably keep it that way.
There are good summer fishing conditions north of Myrtle Beach, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that the big four inshore species are all biting well.
Inside the creeks trout and redfish are eating live shrimp fished against the grass. The rising tide and the beginning of the outgoing have been best, and cut mullet fished against the grass is also working well for redfish.
Small black drum are also being caught around docks, shell beds, and downed trees on live or cut shrimp. Lower stages of the tide have fished the best.
The flounder action has been good on live mullet or mud minnows, and artificial baits such as white Gulp! jerk shad fished on a 3/8 ounce jighead have also been effective. Both trolling and casting have been working.
The jetties have also been productive, with trout, redfish and black drum and being caught on live shrimp.
In the surf, Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that the king mackerel fishing has been phenomenal. Last Wednesday an incredible 13 fish were caught, and over the weekend an additional 8 or 9 fish were landed. The usual suspects of bluefish, whiting, and a few spots are also around.
Nearshore Captain Smiley reports that there are tons of spadefish on the reefs, and there are also cobia around. They have caught some big fish over 36 inches dropping live pinfish down on the bottom.
Spanish mackerel can also be caught trolling Clarks Spoons on #1 planers around the tide lines and sea buoys.
Blue water fishing has been limited since there has been so much wind over the last two weeks, and in the king mackerel tournament this weekend most boats stayed close to shore.
Jay A'Hern
Angler's Headquarters (www.AnglersHeadquarters.com)
P.O. Box 50225
Columbia, SC 29250
jay@usfishingreport.com
