North Myrtle/Little River – May 2025
John, of Daves Outpost, reports that pier anglers are catching spanish mackerel and bluefish, and both species are being caught with Christmas tree rigs.
Nearshore anglers are seeing schools of spanish mackerel become more common as water temperatures continue to rise.
Black sea bass are still a popular target for anglers fishing structure in the 5-10 mile range.
Inshore, the best action has been black drum and red drum. Both species are scattered around structure from the inlet back into the waterway, and they’re hitting shrimp on Carolina rigs.
Chris, of Fine Catch Fishing Charters, reports that anglers up around the lighthouse and 17 Bridge are finding a few speckled trout slowly moving back towards the ICW. The trout are being caught with live shrimp and mud minnows, or on artificials such as Z-Man paddle tails or Gulp and Vudu shrimp.
Some red drum (15-29”) are scattered in the same areas. The water is dirty, so anglers fishing artificials should use either scented soft plastics or add Pro-Cure.
Closer to the inlet, the best tactic is live shrimp under floats for smaller red drum holding around shell banks and near creek mouths as they move out of the backs of creeks. This strategy is also producing speckled trout, black drum, and the occasional sheepshead.
Flounder are being caught while floating shrimp.
Floating fiddler crabs tight to the rocks are finding sheepshead at the jetties, and a few big speckled trout are also being caught with this same tactic.
As the tide bottoms out, anglers are targeting over-slot red drum near the tips of the jetties.
Off the beach, the 3-Mile Reef has been holding gray trout and Atlantic bonito.
Sebastian Vane, of Rochester, NY, with a hogfish caught in 105′ of water offshore of Little River using cut squid. He was fishing with Capt. Bevan Hunter of Chilly Water Fishing.
Buddy, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that nearshore trips are seeing the Atlantic bonito bite slow down as these fish move on.
Moving into their place are spanish mackerel, which will be striking at trolling spoons.
Inshore trips are finding black drum to be the most consistent action. Rig with live or dead shrimp on the bottom, and target oyster beds, creek mouths, and area docks for these fish.
Live shrimp is being picked up by flounder and the occasional red drum or speckled trout.
The trout and red drum, in particular, have mostly been out around the jetty.
Bob, of Strange Magic Fishing Charters, reports that flounder have finally shown up and are aggressive in striking soft plastics or live minnows pinned to jig heads. Targeting structured areas is key when looking for flatfish. On higher tides, pitch the bait up to the shoreline, and then on low tides have baits in deeper holes.
Red drum have been venturing out of their large winter schools and into smaller groups of 2-3 fish. They are getting far less spooky and are ambushing bait along the creek banks.
Some bigger black drum are being caught around shell banks and docks (in both the creeks and ICW). Fiddler crabs and live or dead shrimp are the top bait options for them.
Speckled trout are around, and they’re hitting Gulp or live shrimp under popping corks.
Jessey, of Shallow Minded Fishing Charters, reports that offshore anglers are seeing the Gulf Stream push in closer, and blackfin tuna, wahoo, and mahi are showing up and hitting a variety of skirted ballyhoo.
Target grouper in the 100-200’ areas, and the go-to rig is live pinfish. Big dead baits such as Boston mackerel will also entice some strikes.
Inshore anglers have found flounder in sandy inlets like Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet, Cherry Grove, and Sunset Beach. Carolina rigs with live mud minnows or Gulp soft plastics have been the top producing bait for the flatfish.
The speckled trout bite continues to be strong. Live shrimp on a falling tide has been key as these fish push out of the estuaries.
Spring is also a great time to target red drum over grass flats, and a favorite technique is to rig softshell crabs on a jig head or under a cork.
Bevan, of Chilly Water Fishing, reports that black sea bass are being caught with cut squid in the 100-120’ range. Strong numbers of 2-3 lb. vermilion snapper are mixed in.
May opens the door for grouper, and Carolina-rigged cigar minnows and live pinfish are the top baits. The 115-130’ range has been the most productive depths.
Matthew S. with a barracuda caught in 60′ of water offshore of Little River using a tube lure. He was fishing with Capt. Buddy Love of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports offshore bottom trips are finding vermilion snapper, big grunts, porgies, plenty of amberjacks, and all the American red snapper (released) anglers can handle.
Grouper season opens in May 1.
The half-day bottom fishing trips are still seeing plenty of black sea bass, porgies, and grunts.
Anglers trolling along the beaches with spoons have had success catching Atlantic bonito, with a few spanish mackerel showing up, too.
Josh, of Little River Fishing Fleet, reports that anglers trolling over structure inside of 10 miles have been on a strong Atlantic bonito bite. Spanish mackerel are starting to move into the area, as well as a strong bluefish presence.
Black sea bass are holding shallow and on out to 40+ miles.
The deeper structures are seeing catches of vermilion snapper and banded rudderfish.
Grouper season opens May 1.
Atlantic sharpnoses and other sharks have yet to move back inshore.
Scott, of Apache Pier, reports that anglers have been catching a few spanish mackerel and bluefish as the casting action starts to heat up.
Bottom fishermen are mostly catching whiting with cut shrimp.
A few smaller flounder have shown up.
Ed, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers casting Gotcha plugs and other glass minnow style metal jigs are catching spanish mackerel and bluefish while sight-casting to schools on the surface.
The whiting bite has made up the majority of the bottom fishing action, with most feeding on cut shrimp.
