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.

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