January 9

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand have warmed up to 56-58 degrees.  Because of rain, wind and warmer than usual temperatures the water is not as clear as usual at this time of year.   

Probably because of the unseasonably warm weather, Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that fishing is excellent right now for a variety of species.  They are catching a lot of slot-sized redfish as well as over-the-slot fish, and even though it’s winter fish are not grouped up in huge schools.  Frankly the fish are not in that different a pattern from what they have been in.  Fish can be found around oyster beds, docks, and on the flats, and both the incoming and outgoing tide have been productive in the right places.  

Artificial baits like Vudu Shrimp, Gulp! baits in New Penny, and mud minnows fished under a popping cork have all been working.  

The trout bite is still good, and they are catching fish in 5-10 feet along the ledges in the Intracoastal.  Both live mud minnows and Vudu Shrimp are working well, and while the best action has generally come on the rising tide yesterday they caught some fishing on the outgoing.    

There is still a good bite for smaller black drum, although some of the fish are keeper-sized.  On the ledges fish can be caught in about 10 feet of water on small pieces of cut shrimp. 

Captain Smiley’s boats have evened picked up some small flounder lately! 

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that surf temperatures have risen into the upper 50s, and as a result some fish have come closer to the beach.  There has been a pretty strong whiting run for January, and they have also caught some bluefish and a few flounder up to 16 inches.  

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

January 1
Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are in the low 50s, and the water is seasonably clear.
There’s good action to be found in the Little River area, where Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that the trout bite is the best thing going. They are catching trout along the ledges as well as out at the Little River jetties, and both live mud minnows and Vudu Shrimp are working well.
Redfish have also been very welling to eat, and Captain Smiley’s boats are catching a lot of bigger fish over the slot. Mud minnows fished under a popping cork have been productive around oysters beds, docks and grass edges in the IntraCoastal. Fish are schooled up tight and the best action has been on the incoming tide.

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

November 27 

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are around 55 degrees, and after some extremely high “king” tides last weekend the water is a little dirty.  

It’s still a good time to fish in the Little River area, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly(843-361-7445) reports that they continue to catch a lot of small trout.  Fish can still be caught in a lot of different places, but casting to ledges in about 10 feet has been very productive.  Stage of the tide does not matter as long as there is moving water. By now they are pretty much fishing with artificials, including Gulp! And Vudu Shrimp.  White and chartreuse have been the best colors.  

It’s getting late in the season but some flounder have also been picked up fishing the ledges for trout. 

Redfish and black drum have both been together, and fishing with fresh, cut shrimp Captain Smiley’s boat has been picking up both species around docks and particularly around docks near shelly bottoms. The best bite has been on the incoming tide in 3-8 feet of water.   

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that surf temperatures are still about 60 degrees, but there is very little being caught off the pier.  Some small whiting and undersized black drum are about the extent of the catch.

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

November 12 

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are down to the lower 60s, and the water has cleared up.  

As would be expected on the South Carolina coast in the fall, Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that inshore fishing is good for a mixed bag of species.  Plenty of trout are being caught, and the only downside is that overall the fish are pretty small with relatively few keepers mixed in.  They will take most anything white, including live shrimp as well as Gulp! shrimp in white with a chartreuse tail.  Fish seem to be literally everywhere, and they can be caught around channels, sand bars, oyster beds, drop offs, and anywhere else that provides some sort of transition.  They are deep and shallow, and can be caught throughout the tide cycle. 

Redfish are also biting well, particularly around grass and oysters.  They can be caught on Gulp! and cut mullet with most of the fish fairly shallow.  

A few black drum are being caught on fresh or live shrimp fished around docks on the incoming tide.   

Even though it’s getting late in the season, there has continued to be a pretty strong flounder bite.  On the outgoing tide they caught some nice fish on Gulp! baits yesterday afternoon.  

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that surf temperatures are about 60 degrees, and spot, whiting, croaker, black drum and the tail end of the pompano have been caught.  Some bluefish were also caught off the pier yesterday.  

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

October 19 

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are in the mid-70s, and the water is starting to clean up after the hurricane.  There are very few shrimp in the creeks after the storm flushed them out. 

With two major storms it’s been a wild start to the fall in the Little River area, but Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that as the water moves from heavily stained to clearer the fishing continues to be good. 

The biggest change since last report is that the bull red drum in the 35-45 inch range are showing up in the inlet.  They can be caught around the jetties in 20-35 feet of water.  This is strictly a catch-and-release fishery, and the tackle of choice is live or cut mullet on a Carolina rig with a 2-ounce sinker and a 6/0 circle hook.  

Inshore there are plenty of smaller reds to be caught in the creeks, and they have been biting Gulp! shrimp, live finger mullet and shrimp.  Fish are holding shallow around the grass and oyster beds, and the incoming tide has been the best recently.  

Black drum can be caught in holes and around oyster beds on live shrimp.  The low to rising tide has been best.  

The trout bite has been pretty good recently.  Fish can be caught on topwater lures, and they can also be caught in the Intracoastal around ledges and drops in about 10 feet of water.  Live shrimp under a popping cork are hard to beat.  

Captain Smiley’s boats are also picking up some flounder here and there. 

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that pier fishing has been excellent recently, and just this Monday eleven king mackerel were caught off the pier.  They have also caught some nice 19-20 inch Spanish mackerel as well as flounder in the same size range.  Slot-sized redfish have been coming off the pier as well as a bunch of (mostly undersized) trout.  There are of course whiting, pinfish, and some spot around.  

 

 

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

September 18
Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand remain in the mid-80s and there is a ton of freshwater inflow from the Waccamaw. Post-hurricane water conditions are very dirty, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that the storm does appear to have blown some shrimp out of the creeks. However, there are still plenty of shrimp and mullet around and overall the creeks are full of life.
While there is some flooding on the northern end of the South Carolina coast, the storm does not seem to have negatively affected the fishing. They were biting before Florence, and back on the water today that was still the case.
The redfish bite is excellent, and Captain Smiley’s boats have found good numbers of 17-25 inch fish up shallow in 1-3 or 4 feet of water. Tide does not seem to matter, and last week they bit very well on high tide while today they were biting well on the low to rising. Live shrimp, live mullet and Vudu Shrimp have all been working well. There has also been a topwater bite throughout the day.
On the incoming tide trout can be caught in moving water along drops in the ICW, with the best action in 4-10 feet of water. Live shrimp and Vudu Shrimp under popping corks have been working well. Remember that SCDNR is asking anglers to practice catch and release of all spotted seatrout through the end of September. To read the full news release click here.
Black drum can also be found in the same areas and will take live or fresh cut shrimp. The outgoing has been best for black drum.
Flounder fishing has been excellent for an hour or two both sides of high tide. Fish have been in creek mouths and along oyster beds, but the best fishing has actually been down the gut of fairly good-sized creeks. Live mullet and Gulp! baits have both been working.
Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that the water is very dirty, but the good news is the pier is fine after the storm and reopened yesterday. Fishing should improve as the water clears.

August 23
Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are in the mid- to upper-80s, and even though the water has been really murky the past few days Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that it has not slowed the action. Overall it’s been a really good summer in the Little River/ North Myrtle Beach area, and as we move towards fall there is a very healthy shrimp population. Netting bait at low tide is easy.
There have been some really nice black drum caught this week, including a big eight-pound fish caught yesterday on live shrimp. The best action has been on the falling tide along deeper ledges in about 12 feet of water in the channels and the Intracoastal Waterway. There have also been some good fish caught around docks.
Redfish have been eating live shrimp fished up shallow on the flats under a popping cork, with the best bite on the falling tide. A lot of the fish have been over the slot, but sub-15 inch fish are also pretty plentiful.
A few flounder have been caught here and there on live finger mullet and Gulp! new penny shrimp and swimming minnows. The best bite for flounder has been on the low to rising tide in deeper holes in 5-10 feet of water.
Most of the trout that Captain Smiley’s boats have picked up have been very small, and overall the bite has been pretty slow the past couple of weeks. When they do catch trout it’s usually at creeks mouths or the edge of oyster beds on moving tides. Live shrimp or Vudu Shrimp under a popping cork will both work. Remember that SCDNR is asking anglers to practice catch and release of all spotted seatrout through the end of September. To read the full news release click here.
Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that a few whiting, croaker and sheepshead have been caught off the pier. Overall conditions have been really muddy and there have been no king mackerel or Spanish caught.

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

August 3 

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are in the mid-80s, and water clarity is poor.

It’s been a wet one with very cloudy water conditions, but Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that fishing has still been pretty good in the Little River/ North Myrtle Beach area.

They have been finding a very consistent bite for over-slot redfish in the 30-inch range, and with the warm water fish have gone deeper into channels in the 15-20 foot range.  There isn’t a particular tide when you need to be fishing, but there needs to be current moving.

Black drum have been holding in similar areas to the redfish, and Captain Smiley is catching them in the same areas as the redfish – particularly around deeper, rocky bottoms in the Intracoastal.  Fishing a ¼ ounce jighead baited with a live shrimp has been working.  Shrimp are pretty prolific and catching most species right now.

The trout bite has been pretty good on live shrimp fished under a popping cork a couple of hours before high on the rising tide. Fish have been fairly shallow around oyster beds in creeks off the ICW.  Remember that SCDNR is asking anglers to practice catch and release of all spotted seatrout through the end of September.  To read the full news release click here.

The pattern for catching flounder has been a little different, and they are having the most success fishing for an hour or two after high tide casting mullet (or shrimp) into creek mouths.  The bites usually come as the bait drifts out of the creek mouths and run into oyster beds.

Cherry Grove Pier(843-249-1625) reports that whiting, croaker, and silver perch are fairly common, and they have also caught some nice black drum in the 18 plus inch range.  A few blues are being picked up on cut bait, and at night sharks and stingrays are being caught. It has just been too muddy for Spanish and king mackerel.

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

 

 

 

 

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

July 2
Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are in the mid- to lower-80s, and water clarity has actually been pretty good for the season.
Despite the summer heat, Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly(843-361-7445) reports that fishing has been wide open in the Little River/ North Myrtle Beach area. This morning they found a good topwater bite first thing for trout from sunrise to about 7:30, and Zara Spooks were hot for fish up to about 4 pounds. Overall the trout fishing has really picked up in the last couple of months, with much improved numbers as well as plenty of big fish.
Outside of the early morning window they have also been catching trout on live shrimp fished under popping corks over shelly bottoms, oysters beds and along grass edges. The best fishing has been in about 6 feet of water on any tide that has the current moving.
Remember that SCDNR is asking anglers to practice catch and release of all spotted seatrout through the end of September. To read the full news release click here.
Some redfish have also been taking the topwater lures in the morning, but in general the best drum bite has come on the low to rising tide. Fish are shallow – and when the water is just getting over the oyster shells the fish are there, and when the water is getting into the grass fish are along the grass line or moving into it. Cut or live mullet have been working really well for the reds.
Today Captain Smiley’s boat caught a bunch of flounder, with both live mullet and white, Gulp! swimming mullet working well. On low tide they have been finding them in deep, 10-foot holes in shallow creeks.
Rounding out an inshore grand slam, black drum have also been feeding well. They have been around ledges or docks in the Intracoastal Waterway, usually in 4-15 feet. Cut or live shrimp fished on a ¼ ounce jighead are working well.
Cherry Grove Pier(843-249-1625) reports that it continues to be a phenomenal year for king mackerel, and they have caught a good 40-50 fish in the last month. They have also caught some big Spanish in the 5-6 pound range on the king rigs. The bluefish have slowed down a bit except for the small fish which are still around, and they are only seeing the rare, undersized flounder. Whiting and even a few spots have been caught here and there. Finally, several big black drum up to 8 pounds and some bull red drum have been caught.
Nearshore, from the pier report it’s no surprise that there has been a red hot bite for Spanish and kings. Bull drum are also in the Little River inlet, and Atlantic sharpnose sharks and some bonnethead sharks are around.

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

June 19
Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are in the low 80s and clarity is poor. Surf temperatures are around 80.
Inshore fishing has been pretty good at the top of the Grand Strand, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that they are catching a mixed bag of species in the early summer heat.
In the Intracoastal Waterway they have been catching redfish and black drum on live or fresh dead baits including shrimp, and fishing an hour before high tide in 8-10 feet on the ledges has been hot. On lower tides you can catch fish in about 4 feet of water. Black drum have been pretty consistent in the 10-20 inch range on live or fresh cut shrimp.
While targeting drum an exciting by-catch has been some really nice bluefish up to the 10-plus pound range that have been caught inshore – catching small blues inshore is normal, but having these sizes in the creeks is a rarity. And proving that you never know what you are going to catch in the ocean, today Captain Smiley’s boat caught striped bass on live shrimp! He speculates that all the fresh water has changed the salinity and fish movement patterns.
Flounder have been pretty consistent on live finger mullet, mud mullet, and even Gulp! baits fished on a ¼ ounce jighead. The best pattern has been fishing deep holes in the backwaters on lower tides.
A few trout have also been caught on live shrimp fished under a popping cork, including a 20-incher today! Remember that SCDNR is asking anglers to practice catch and release of all spotted seatrout through the end of September. To read the full news release click here.
Some bonnethead sharks have been caught shallow in creeks like Bonaparte Creek, and out in the inlet bull red drum, stingrays, and Atlantic sharpnose sharks have been caught.
Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that small whiting, croaker, occasional spots, a few black drum, a few bluefish, and some small Spanish mackerel have been caught off the pier. But the most exciting news is that it has been a marquee year for king mackerel and over the past few weeks they have had 25-28 keeper fish caught.

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