January 21
Water temperatures have ranged from about 48-52 over the last week, and water conditions are gin clear in the creeks.
Despite the really cold temperatures, the fishing has been excellent on the north end of the South Carolina Grand Strand and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that if you have some good spots the redfish and black drumare very willing to eat. Fish are highly schooled up, and they can be found around deep holes in the creeks on low tide and dock piling on higher tides. However, you need some current to catch fish as the slack tide on either end has not been good. Live shrimp (available at Perry’s in Murrell’s Inlet) or fresh cut shrimp have been working very well.
The trout have also been biting pretty well, and Captain Smiley’s boats have been catching them drifting the ledges or out at the jetties. Live shrimp have been the ticket for catching trout, although they will also hit Vudu Shrimp and paddletail grubs.
Out at the jetties anglers can also pick up redfish fishing shrimp under a slip float, and fish can also be caught on a split shot rig and a #4 hook. Again, you need current moving in either direction for the ledges or the jetties to be productive.
Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) is closed for renovations.

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.

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.

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.