August 1
Inshore surface water temperatures in the morning on the north end of the Grand Strand are around 84 degrees. There are massive schools of finger mullet in the IntraCoastal Waterway and its tributaries, and bait-sized shrimp are also abundant.
The cool snap has really helped the fishing on the north end of the Grand Strand, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly(843-361-7445) reports that a variety of species have been feeding well this week. Catches of redfish have been really good in shallow water on the low outgoing tide, and with the ICW so thick with finger mullet you can see them busting bait on the banks. Live mullet will work but cut mullet offer something different, and topwater plugs and Gulp! jerk shad will also catch fish.
Flounderfishing has also been strong, with fish against the banks in the same areas as the redfish but also being caught in deeper holes on lower tides. In addition to live mullet Jerk Shad, Gulp! Shrimp and Gulp Swimming Minnows are also working.
Early in the morning there has been a good topwater bite fortrout, and Zara Spooks and Mirrolure Top Pups are both catching fish. However, the go-to bait has been live shrimp under a popping cork which are catching excellent numbers in the right spots. Ledges and drops in 3-7 feet of water when there is current moving have been good.
Trout can also be caught at the Little River jetties floating shrimp under a cork along the rocks, but probably the best way to catch fish is on a split shot rig with a #4 hook baited with a live shrimp. You can work this rig around the rocks without getting hung up as much as you would with a heavier weight.
Black drum are also eating live or cut shrimp fished on the bottom, and if you can hook them you will get the occasional sheepshead. Ladyfishand sharksare also around at the jetties.
Cherry Grove Pier(843-249-1625) reports that with clear water, good oxygen levels and temperatures of about 84 degrees the bite has been strong recently. They are catching good numbers of keeper-sized flounder, trout, and Spanish mackerel. On the bottom there have been catches of whiting, croaker, small spadefish and some black drum. Spanish have been abundant, but the last king mackerel was caught last Friday.
Nearshore, just outside the inlet Captain Smiley advises that you can catch lots of Spanish mackerel trolling a #1 planer or a mackerel tree with a 00 Clarks Spoons.

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