North Myrtle – September 15, 2016
Mark, of Shallow Minded Guide Fishing, reports that anglers are connecting with reds around the jetties, ranging from slot-sized fish to 10-15 lb. fish. The fish are falling for finger mullet, and those targeting the reds may also hook up with flounder. They are also falling for the same bait.
There are big spanish sitting on the tidelines, and they have been falling for Vudu mullet.
In the back creeks, anglers should be able to hook black drum with ease. Bring a cast net to throw for fresh shrimp, which should tempt bites from the drum.
Abby Epps with two black drum caught on crab-flavored Fishbites and fresh cut shrimp. She was surf fishing in Windy Hill.
Patrick, of Captain Smiley Fishing Charters, reports that the mullet run is bringing bites from a large variety of species, such as spanish, flounder, and red drum.
Reds are falling for mullet, but anglers are struggling to find in-slot fish. Most of the recent reds have been over-slot, including some up to 44” being caught around the inlets.
Anglers fishing the inlet areas with mullet have also hooked spanish, and they are taking the same bait as the reds.
The speckled trout bite has picked up, and anglers should target the fish with shrimp under a popping cork.
Those wanting to connect with flounder should use mullet on a Carolina rig.
David, of Low Country Fishing Charters, reports that inshore there has been a good black drum bite, with anglers hooking fish between 17-22” on fresh and live shrimp.
The bigger redfish have moved into the deeper creeks, and anglers are hooking 25-30” fish. Use live mullet on a Carolina rig to target the drum. The bull reds haven’t shown up yet, but with the mullet run just starting, they are expected any day.
Since the storm, the trout bite has stopped for the time being.
Small kings and spanish are still in the 10 mile range, and they can be caught on cigar minnows. Bigger kings should be making their fall push any day now.
Offshore, the king bite is hot trolling through 90’ of water (about 40 miles offshore). The better bottom fishing has started with the cooler temperatures, and anglers have been reporting vermilion, black sea bass, and grunts.
Larry, of Voyager Fishing Charters, reports that head boats that went to the Gulf Stream returned with beeliners, grunts, triggerfish, and grouper. There were a few African pompano mixed in, and king mackerel were landed off the drift lines.
Charter boats reported that trolling the Gulf Stream connected anglers with king mackerel, amberjack, and a few mahi. Switching to bottom fishing, the charters returned with grunts, grouper, and black sea bass.
Half day head boats have found the black sea bass to be plentiful, and they’ve also landed porgies and small sharks.
The half day charters have landed spanish mackerel, bluefish, and black tip sharks.
Matt, of Cherry Grove Pier, reports that anglers are connecting with small reds (13-15”) in the morning off the pier. These reds are falling for live mullet, and anglers fishing this method have also hooked flatfish, including a 6 lb. flounder.
Anglers looking to fish in the evening can expect the blues to be running, and they’re falling for Gotcha plugs and mackerel trees.
Dropping shrimp down on a bottom rig is the key for those looking for panfish, and anglers can expect the usual, including perch, whiting, and croaker.
