Added on Thursday, March 13, 2008  Gary Hurley

North Myrtle Beach March 13, 2008

Mark, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that red drum are feeding around docks in the ICW and back in the shallows of area creeks and sounds. The drum are falling for Gulp baits fished on jigheads and Carolina-rigged live mud minnows. As the water temperatures warm up over the coming weeks, the schools of reds feeding in shallow water will break up, and the fish will join the ones already hanging around ICW docks and creek mouths.

Some smaller black drum are holding around the Little River area, and cut shrimp fished on bottom rigs will tempt them to strike.

February saw a hot speckled trout bite around the Little River swing bridge, with anglers landing plenty of specks on artificial shrimp imitations. Last March, trout fishing was phenomenal throughout the area, so anglers can anticipate that rising water temperatures will lead to another solid trout season.

Billy Bay Halo and DOA shrimp are top artificial lures, and anglers can search for trout throughout area creeks, around the bridge, and out at the Little River jetties.

Warmer water should also trigger some flounder to feed soon, but most of the early season flatfish will be on the small side.

 

Patrick, of Capt. Smiley’s Fishing Charters, reports that red drum are schooled up and feeding in the shallows. Some reds are also holding around the Sunset Beach Bridge. Gulp shrimp fished on 1/4 oz. jigheads will draw strikes from the drum, and the best colors are New Penny and Molting. Most of the reds are 15-18″, but a few larger fish (up to 24″ or so) are mixed in.

Speckled trout are also feeding around Sunset Beach Bridge and a 1/2 oz. DOA shrimp, particularly in chartreuse, should attract attention from the specks. Anglers are also hooking a few trout around the Little River swing bridge. Most of the specks are around 18″.

If last March is any indication, trout fishing should be getting better as the water temperatures come up. Some areas have already seen water up to 60 degrees, and while that number may fall a bit with cold weather, it shouldn’t be long until the trout are feeding in full force.

 

Drew, of Crowd Pleaser Sportfishing, reports that wahoo have been feeding in the Gulf Stream all winter long and are still around. Blackfin tuna are also on the feed out in the blue water, and anglers are hooking up with both species around the Steeples, 100/400, Mac Marlen Hole, and the Winyah Scarp.

Pulling ballyhoo beneath dark skirts with trolling leads or planers to take them deep is the best way to hook up with the wahoo, and anglers should remember to use wire leaders in order to land the toothy fish.

Yellowfin tuna should be showing up in full force off Little River soon, and they may already be feeding out in deep water further offshore than the wahoo and blackfins. If the tuna follow a typical spring pattern, the yellowfin bite should get hot over then next few weeks and remain good until after Easter.

Boats making the run out to the Gulf Stream can expect to see a few dolphin as well, and blue marlin strikes are always an exciting possibility.

Bottom fishermen are finding gag and red groupers feeding around ledges, wrecks, and live bottom in around 100′, and they will strike a variety of live, dead, and cut baits.

Black sea bass are holding on bottom structure closer to shore. Anglers baiting up with squid or cut baits should have no trouble hooking up with the bass.

King mackerel reports have been scarce lately, but the fish should be feeding around the 68-70 degree temperature break offshore.

 

Brendan, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that early season pier anglers are landing a few whiting. As the water temperature comes up over the next few weeks, the whiting bite should improve for anglers fishing shrimp on bottom rigs.

Bluefish will be next to show up, and they will attack Gotcha plugs and other lures cast from the pier, as well as a variety of baits.

The water is around 60 degrees.