May 13
Inshore surface temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are in the upper 60s to 70 degrees and the water is overall very clear.
The flounder bite continues to be very good on the north end of the South Carolina Grand Strand, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that the Cherry Grove area is still producing. Big schools of menhaden have showed up off the beaches and in the creeks, and there are plenty of perfect bait-sized fish of about 4 inches. Drifting on moving tides has been working well.
Redfish are still being caught in shallow creeks, and while there are some trout around live shrimp is the key to catching them. For now the creek shrimp are still a little too small for bait, but any day now they should be big enough as that usually takes place by the second week of May. A few are being caught on mud minnows, but it is has been so windy that artificials have been difficult to fish.
The inshore catch has often been anchored by black drum on the shorter end of the keeper slot, and these are biting well on fresh cut shrimp. Fish can be caught in shallow creeks around any area with a deeper hole or some sort of structure such as a dock or downed tree. Holes with cover are ideal. The best fishing has been on the outgoing tide down to the bottom and then dead low.
Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that they are catching bluefish and keeper-sized Spanish mackerel as well as whiting and smaller flounder. With water temperatures hitting 71 any day now king mackerel should arrive.
The jetties have been a little slow for sheepshead but there are always redfish and black drum out there.
Weakfish are all over the nearshore reefs and there are some small black sea bass and a few Spanish around. The menhaden have gotten thick and so very soon the cobia should arrive.
Offshore the dolphin bite has been very good and there are also a lot of yellowfin tuna around. Wahoo fishing has also been good on calm days like today when you can get offshore.

Jay A’Hern