March 14
Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand range from about 56 to 60 or 61. While clarity is still good, snot grass is showing up typically for this time of year and so anglers are constantly having to clean it off of hooks.
It’s hard to lead off with anything besides trout when they are catching fish in the 10-pound range! Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that out at the Little River jetties Captain Chris Ossman of his guide service has recently caught several fish in the 27-30 inch range, including the 30-inch fish pictured below. The closest place where live shrimp are available is at Captain Crumb’s Outpost off 501 in Myrtle Beach, but it’s worth going because they have been making the difference for monster specks. Drifting shrimp over the rocks under a slip bobber on the outgoing tide has been the ticket. Adjust the depth until you find where the fish are holding and want to eat on a particular day.
Inshore there are also some trout being caught on the falling tide around oyster beds on live mud minnows. They will of course take shrimp, too.
Redfish can also be picked up in the Inlet, and they are also catching red and black drum inshore. Tuesday Captain Smiley caught eight nice redfish between 18 and 26 inches to with the other species targeted. The best action has come on the incoming tide in very shallow water where there are 2-5 foot potholes in shallow creeks. Because they are targeting both redfish and black drum fresh cut shrimp is the bait of choice.
Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that surf temperatures are around 57 degrees, and the catch mainly consists of whiting and small croaker. The ocean is clear.

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