June 24
Morning surface water temperatures are around 81-82 degrees inshore around Little River. Bait is now pretty abundant in the creeks.
The Spanish mackerel continue to provide a lot of excitement at the north end of the Grand Strand this week, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that false albacore have joined the party and are also a lot of fun. They are catching both species pulling #1 planer boards with Clarks Spoons at about 6 knots, and you can also cast small silver spoons when you find the fish. The key is to look for the menhaden balls and glass minnows and they will be nearby. There also sharpnose sharks underneath which provide a lot of action.
The flounder fishing is still really good, particularly in North Carolina, and in Tubbs Inlet they have been catching a ton of fish over 16 inches. The action is also pretty good in Cherry Grove where you can keep the big ones.
Drifting has been about the best way to catch fish, and when you get a bite opening the spool and giving the fish time to eat is the preferred technique. You can also cast and jig with a grub or minnow on a 3/8 ounce jighead.
The Cherry Grove area also has a fair number of black drum, and Dunn Sound is also full of them right now. You can catch drum on cut or live shrimp.
They are still catching some small trout on Gulp! around oyster beds and creek mouths, and during the heat of the day in deep holes. However the bigger trout are being caught at the jetties drifting live shrimp around the rocks on moving tides. You will also pick up redfish this way, and you can also still catch reds in shallow potholes back in the creeks on the low to rising tide. Live mullet, pinfish and Gulp! can all work. There are also redfish around docks.
It’s been another strong week of fishing off Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), and each day they are averaging a couple of king mackerel. They are also getting some Spanish on the king rigs as well as casting Gotcha plugs, and there have been a bunch of keeper flounder this week. They are also catching an assortment of whiting, croaker and spots.
At the nearshore reefs there are some flounder which will take finger mullet or live menhaden, and there are also some small cobia at the reefs and wrecks. Small black sea bass are also abundant and there are a bunch of sharks.
June 17
Morning surface water temperatures are around 82-83 degrees inshore around Little River. Bait is now pretty abundant in the creeks.
The most exciting fishing at the top of the coast this week has been trolling for Spanish mackerel, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that pulling #1 planer boards with Clarks Spoons at about 6 knots they are really catching them. The key is to look for the menhaden balls and glass minnows and the Spanish will be nearby. There also sharpnose sharks underneath which provide a lot of action.
The flounder fishing is still really good, particularly in North Carolina, and in Tubbs Inlet they have been catching a ton of fish over 16 inches. The action is also pretty good in Cherry Grove where you can keep them.
Drifting has been about the best way to catch fish, and when you get a bite opening the spool and giving the fish time to eat is the preferred technique. You can also cast and jig with a grub or minnow on a 3/8 ounce jighead.
The Cherry Grove area also has a fair number of black drum.
This week they have caught a few more trout on Gulp! around oyster beds and creek mouths, and during the heat of the day in deep holes. You can also still catch redfish in shallow potholes back in the creeks on the low to rising tide. Live mullet, pinfish and Gulp! can all work. There are also redfish around docks.
It’s been an another excellent week of fishing off Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), and yesterday they caught five king mackerel! The day before they had a 35-pound fish. They are also getting some Spanish on the king rigs as well as casting Gotcha plugs, and there have been some keeper flounder and trout today. They are also catching an assortment of whiting, croaker, spot and bluefish.
At the jetties the action has been pretty good for trout and redfish drifting live shrimp under a cork just off the rocks. Moving tides have been best.
At the nearshore reefs there are some flounder which will take finger mullet or live menhaden, and there are also some cobia at the reefs and wrecks. Small black sea bass are also abundant.
June 10
Morning surface water temperatures are around 81 degrees inshore around Little River. Bait is now pretty abundant in the creeks.
Even as it gets hot there has been some pretty good inshore fishing, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that the flounder are probably the best thing going. Drifting in the Little River Inlet has been about the best way to catch fish, and when you get a bite opening the spool and giving the fish time to eat is the prefered way to catch them. You can also cast and jig with a grub or minnow on a 3/8 ounce jighead.
Probably the best flounder fishing right now is in North Carolina’s Tubbs Inlet where you can’t keep them, but you have to be careful with the sand bars to avoid getting stuck. The Cherry Grove area has also been pretty good and has a fair number of black drum as well.
The few trout that are around are mostly very small, but you can still catch redfish in shallow potholes back in the creeks on the low to rising tide. Live mullet, pinfish and Gulp! can all work. They are also redfish around docks.
There are also plenty of croaker and small black drum around inshore that will take shrimp or Fish Bites.
At the other end of the size range there have also been a lot of giant bull sharks in the Intracoastal that will eat a range of cut baits.
It’s been an incredible week of fishing off Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), and in addition to the usual suspects of whiting, croaker and a few spots they have had a nice run of bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and even a couple of king mackerel this week. But the most exciting action came on Tuesday when they jumped 10 tarpon on the pier!
Just off the beaches you can cast heavy silver jigs and catch abundant false albacore, and even though this oily fish isn’t good table fare they make for excellent shark bait! You can also troll for Spanish mackerel with Clarks Spoons and #1 planers, and if you see a good wad of them you can cast.
At the nearshore reefs there are some flounder which will take finger mullet or live menhaden, and there are also abundant blues and Spanish mackerel. There are also some cobia at the reefs and wrecks.
May 25
Morning surface water temperatures are around 74 or 75 degrees inshore around Little River. Shrimp have flooded inshore and they are now easy to catch in a cast net.
Fishing conditions have been good again this week, but Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that when they were targeting the big 40-plus inch red drum which have been abundant in the Intracoastal Waterway they were getting broken off too frequently. They switched over to wire leaders, and while it has not slowed down the bull red bite they have also been catching the sharks which were cutting their lines. They caught a 6-foot bull shark in the ICW this week! Cut mullet or ladyfish are both making excellent baits.
The pattern for smaller redfish is still the same, and they can be caught in shallow potholes back in the creeks on the low to rising tide. Live mullet, pinfish and Gulp! can all work. They are also catching plenty of fish around docks.
Around shallow sandbars in less than three feet they are also still getting a mix of ladyfish, trout and bluefish on light tackle again this week. The key has been having moving water with a good current, and casting silver spoons with a fast retrieve has been the best technique. Trout can also be caught at the jetty rocks on live shrimp.
There are also still some black drum being caught on live or fresh cut shrimp on ledges, and they will also take fiddler crabs fished around structure. There are plenty of sheepshead that have returned inshore around the rocks but some days it’s hard to weed through the little ones. Still, there are keepers.
The flounder fishing continues to get more spread out, and they are catching fish in deeper holes and over sandy bottoms. The fish are filtering out into all the creeks and inlets, and they can also be caught around docks and oyster beds. In addition to live bait, Gulp! new penny, white or chartreuse shrimp are all working. At times it seems like Gulp! is better than live bait.
The water is clearing up nicely by the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), and as a result they are having some good fishing this week. They had a king mackerel yesterday and then a tarpon(!) today, and the Spanish mackerel continue to bite really well on spoons and plugs. They are getting keeper flounder most days and there are plenty of whiting and croaker to keep people happy. Water temperatures in the surf are 78 degrees top and bottom.
At the nearshore reefs there are plenty of Spanish mackerel and bluefish around which can be caught casting or trolling spoons. There are also tons of small black sea bass.
May 20
Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-70s inshore around Little River.
With calmer conditions there have been better fishing conditions this week, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that they have had some exciting inshore opportunities this week. In the Intracoastal Waterway 40-plus inch red drum have showed up, and they are catching them on a Carolina rig with cut ladyfish or mullet. There are also plenty of Atlantic sharpnose sharks around which are giving good action
Redfish can also still be caught in shallow potholes back in the creeks on the low to rising tide. Live mullet, pinfish and Gulp! can all work.
Around shallow sandbars in less than three feet there have also been a mix of ladyfish, trout and bluefish caught on light tackle this week. The key has been having moving water with a good current, and casting silver spoons with a fast retrieve has been the best technique. Trout can also be caught at the jetty rocks on live shrimp which are becoming more widely available.
There are also still some black drum being caught on live or fresh cut shrimp on ledges, and they will also take fiddler crabs fished around structure. There are plenty of sheepshead that have returned inshore around the rocks but some days it’s hard to weed through the little ones. Still, there are keepers.
The flounder fishing is getting better as fish start to spread out more, and they are catching fish in deeper holes and sandy bottoms. The fish are starting to filter out into all the creeks and inlets, and they can also be caught around docks and oyster beds. In addition to live bait, Gulp! new penny, white or chartreuse shrimp are all working.
The storm two nights ago temporarily dirtied the water off the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), but before (and likely after) that it has been a really good week off the pier. They have had two kings and plenty of people have been limiting on 12-18 inch Spanish mackerel to go along with lots of mid-sized bluefish. They have had a few flounder over 16 inches to go along with lots of short fish, while decent numbers of pompano, whiting and croaker are being caught.
Water temperatures are 75 degrees in the surf.
At the nearshore reefs there are plenty of Spanish mackerel and bluefish around which can be caught casting or trolling spoons. There are also tons of small black sea bass.
May 12
Morning surface water temperatures are around 69 degrees inshore around Little River.
The conditions have been tough for fishing this week, as Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that 25-30 mile per hour winds have been super challenging. They are still catching some fish but they are really, really having to work for them.
There are still some redfish in shallow potholes back in the creeks on the low to rising tide. Live mullet, pinfish and Gulp! can all work. For trout the key is still having live shrimp, available at Perry’s in Murrells Inlet or Dave’s Outpost in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. They are biting along the ledges in the IntraCoastal Waterway or around the rocks at the jetties. There are also redfish at the rocks.
There are also still some black drum being caught on live or fresh cut shrimp on the same ledges where the trout are located, and they will also take fiddler crabs fished around structure. There are plenty of sheepshead that have returned inshore around the rocks but some days it’s hard to weed through the little ones. Still, there are plenty of keepers.
There are some flounder being caught in the Little River area, but by far the best action continues to be in Cherry Grove. Cherry Grove has a smaller inlet which confines the
fish and gives them less room to roam, and so they are much denser. Drifting live mullet or mud minnows is working but Vudu Shrimp are also effective.
Unsurprisingly the action has also really slowed on the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), and while they were catching really good numbers of Spanish mackerel before they are only getting a very few since the water conditions got bad. They are also getting the very occasional whiting and croaker, but overall the fishing is just poor.
If someone could get out there, at the nearshore reefs Spanish mackerel and blues should both be plentiful. They can be caught casting small spoons and Gotcha plugs.
May 4
Morning surface water temperatures are around 71 degrees inshore around Little River.
The fishing has been strong recently at the top end of South Carolina’s coast, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that inshore they catching lot of redfish in shallow potholes back in the creeks on the low to rising tide. Live mullet, pinfish and Gulp! are all working.
The trout fishing is also pretty good but the key is still having live shrimp, available at Perry’s in Murrells Inlet or Dave’s Outpost in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. They are biting along the ledges in the IntraCoastal Waterway or around the rocks at the jetties. They are also picking up some redfish at the rocks.
There are also some black drum being caught on live or fresh cut shrimp on the same ledges where the trout are located, and they will also take fiddler crabs fished around structure. There are plenty of sheepshead that have returned inshore around the rocks but some days it’s hard to weed through the little ones. Still, there are plenty of keepers.
There are some flounder being caught in the Little River area, but by far the best action continues to be in Cherry Grove. Cherry Grove has a smaller inlet which confines the
fish and gives them less room to roam, and so they are much denser. Drifting live mullet or mud minnows is working but Vudu Shrimp are also effective.
There’s been some exciting fishing at the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), and last week they had the first king mackerel of the year while this week has been an excellent week for Spanish mackerel and bluefish. They are getting tons of 16-19 inch Spanish, while bluefish are a range of sizes up to 3 or 4 pounds. Today the water has gotten muddy and so they are only catching whiting and croaker, but when it clears the Spanish should turn back on. They are also getting some keeper flounder.
Speaking of Spanish and blues, at the nearshore reefs both species are plentiful. They are being caught casting small spoons and Gotcha plugs, and when the weather is calm enough to get offshore the action is hot.
April 21
Morning surface water temperatures have made it into the low to mid-60s inshore around Little River, and there has been a lot of wind again this week.
Despite some unfavorable fishing conditions, Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that there has actually been some very good fishing over the past two weeks.
The trout fishing has been good both inshore and at the jetties, and inshore they are catching fish arounds drop-offs in the Intracoastal Waterway. Live shrimp, Vudu Shrimp and Gulp! are all working but the key has been getting in some current.
At the jetties they are also catching redfish, and inshore the fishing has also been good for reds in 3-4 foot potholes back in shallow creeks. Fish can also be found around docks. The low to rising tide has been best.
There are also black drum being caught on cut shrimp around the rocks, and they will also eat live shrimp. You can also pick up some sheepshead on live shrimp, and both species will of course eat fiddler crabs. The low to rising tide has again been best.
Perhaps the most exciting development has been the return of the flounder, and in pretty much all the rivers they are starting to flood back in. Mud minnows or Gulp! baits will both work. If you want to find the best concentrations of flounder the Cherry Grove area is hard to beat.
Bluefish are also everywhere from the creeks to the jetties and beyond. Almost all of the fish are 18 inches and below.
Things continue to pick up at the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), and the exciting development is that they are now catching a ton of keeper Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Croaker, whiting and a few sharks are also around. They are also getting some flounder but so far they have all been small. Reds and trout have not arrived.
At the nearshore reefs they are catching lots of weakfish on jigs by bumping the structure. You can also catch them on chartreuse and white Gulp! shrimp patterns or most any live bait.
Spanish mackerel fishing is also very good with casting spoons, and when the weather allows there is very productive fishing. You will also encounter a lot of blues fishing this way.
April 8
Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 60s inshore around Little River and with big winds and rains again this week the water has been pretty stirred up.
It’s been impossible to get away from wind and rain at the top of the South Carolina Grand Strand, but Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports they have made the best of it and gotten in some good fishing. They have been able to dodge the wind dock hopping along the Intracoastal Waterway around Little River, and with either live or fresh cut shrimp they are picking up some redfish. At higher tides the fish seem to move up on the docks.
The flounder have also started, including some keepers, and the reports from Cherry Grove indicate that they are showing up there early in good numbers like they usually do.
They are also picking up some trout drifting shrimp inshore around oyster shells and drops, but if you get into bluefish immediately switch over to metal spoons or you can run through a lot of expensive bait! They are also catching some trout on the rocks at the Little River jetties on moving tides with live shrimp under a slip float.
Things continue to pick up at the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), with croaker, whiting, lots of bluefish from 6-14 inches and keeper Spanish mackerel running up to the 15-inch range. They are also getting some flounder but so far they have all been small. Reds and trout have not arrived.
Wind has made it almost impossible to get offshore but at the nearshore reefs there should be weakfish and Spanish. The Spanish are also being caught trolling Clarks Spoons right off the beaches.
April 1
Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 60s inshore around Little River and with big winds and rains the water has been pretty stirred up.
Unpleasant weather conditions have made for some tough days at the top of the South Carolina Grand Strand, but Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that when they have been able to get out there has been some good fishing.
Lots of 18-20 inch bluefish have showed up recently, and if they are fishing for trout with live shrimp and start catching blues they immediately switch over to metal spoons like Hopkins Spoons or something similar to conserve precious live bait. They are also catching some redfish inshore in the marshes and Intracoastal, but they aren’t seeing the huge schools that were around in the colder months. There are also some random striped bass being caught in the ICW but that action has slowed down.
A few early flounder are being caught in the Intracoastal and Captain Smiley expects the Cherry Grove area marshes to really turn on first like they do every year.
Things continue to pick up at the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), and in addition to whiting they are now getting lots of small bluefish, croaker and a few early keeper Spanish mackerel.
Perhaps the best area bite is coming in the Little River Inlet for trout by floating live shrimp under a slip float off the rocks on moving tides. There are also lots of blues at the jetties as well as some redfish.
Since the Spanish and weakfish have showed up around Murrells Inlet they should get to the reefs at the top of the coast very soon if they have not already. Again, wind has limited nearshore fishing.
March 17
Morning inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are up to the low 60s and conditions remain very clear.
Fishing continues to improve at the top of the South Carolina Grand Strand, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that just this week they have caught a mixed bag of trout, black drum, and redfish as well as the first good flounder of the season!
Starting on the outside and working in, before the fishing started to pick up inshore they were heading out to the Caudle Reef when conditions allowed. They were getting good numbers of black drum as well as small black sea bass and bluefish on fresh cut shrimp fished on a heavy split shot rig right over the structure. They would also pick up the occasional sheepshead, but with fiddler crabs you will catch more.
Moving in towards the jetties, the action has been a little slow but Captain Smiley’s boats have been catching redfish drifting live shrimp – available at Perry’s in Murrells Inlet – along the rocks. The most bites have been coming about 20 feet out on a slip bobber, and the key is to adjust the depth until you find the fish. They have also picked up some sporadic fish on a paddletail swimbait.
The best trout catches have come in the Intracoastal Waterway, and off the ledges they are picking up some really nice fish. They are anchoring in 5-6 feet; on one side there is a flat and on the other side it drops off to 13 or so feet, and the key is to always cast into and fish the line of current. Live shrimp under a slip cork has been working very well but Vudu shrimp on the same rig or casting are also catching fish as are paddletail grubs. Be sure to add some Pro-Cure shrimp scent to soft plastics.
Finally, inside in the tidal marshes they have been able to creep up on a few reds and the occasional flounder in deeper holes. The best bite is coming around low tide, either rising or falling. Cut shrimp and mud minnows are working as is Gulp! on a jighead. They are occasionally seeing big schools of reds pushing water, and while they are seeing trout back there they are usually not biting.
There’s more improvement in the action at the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), and they are starting to catch some nice whiting. There are also an assortment of small bluefish, croaker, sting rays and pufferfish being caught. Off the pier surface temperatures are about 59 degrees.
March 2
Morning inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are in the low to mid-50s and conditions remain very clear.
The fishing is just starting to pick up at the top of the South Carolina Grand Strand, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that with temperatures just a little bit warmer species like redfish are getting more active. They have had some decent days recently sight-casting for fish on the low to rising tides in skinny creeks when the water is just starting to come up. In contrast, docks are fishing very slowly.
They are seeing a ton of trout in the same areas, but it is harder to get them to bite.
There have been some inshore trout caught at the swing bridge, where there is a lot of structure in 6-13 feet for the fish to get around. Anglers are throwing Rapalas, Mirrolures and paddletail grubs and catching a mixed bag including trout, striper, and some reds. The same smorgasbord of species is also available at the Myrtle Beach Yacht Club on the same baits.
There’s some marginal improvement at the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), where they are now catching some small bluefish, croaker, whiting and pufferfish. Off the pier surface temperatures are about 55 degrees on the top and 54 at the bottom.
Out at the Little River jetties Captain Smiley’s boat has caught some trout with live shrimp fished under a slip cork. Most of the fish are within 20 feet of the rocks. They have been fishing the falling tide, but moving water in either direction is really the key.
They have also caught some black drum and small black sea bass at the Caudle Reef on shrimp. While they have not picked up any sheepshead, if you have fiddler crabs you can catch them.
February 17
Morning inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are about 48 degrees and conditions remain very clear.
It’s easy to spot fish inshore right now at the top of the South Carolina Grand Strand, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that in the clear water they are seeing lots of redfish, trout and black drum while they are fishing in the IntraCoastal. However, you can often run a boat up to them and they still barely move, a sign of just how lethargic they have gotten. When they are like that they are definitely not thinking about eating. Artificials are not usually working, and when they won’t even eat live shrimp you know that fish have lockjaw!
Generally the fishing has been a little better for trout and reds further south in the ICW, while one of the few local bright spots has been some small striper caught by the Little River swing bridge. But overall, it will take temperatures getting above 50 again for the fish to thaw out and start feeding!
Cold ocean temperatures (52 on the top, 50 on the bottom) are generating a slow bite on the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), and the catch is still just small whiting and croaker.
For some reason the nearshore reefs pretty much only have small black sea bass on them right now, while the reefs to the south and even north seem to be holding more black drum and sheepshead.
February 1
Morning inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are about 46-48 degrees and clarity is improving again.
It’s not a time of year where things typically change very fast, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that for now fish remain in pretty stable, typical winter patterns.
You can find the redfish on the shallow flats where you can locate them visually, either looking for tails or torpedo movements in the water. Often they are super shallow seeking protection from dolphins.
The best time to target the flats redfish is generally the low to rising tide and Gulp! baits are working as well as are live finger mullet. If you are fishing for flats reds at higher tides then cut bait along the grass edges is often the best way to target them.
There are also fish that can be caught in holes back in the marsh. These could be four- or five-foot depressions, usually at creek bends, which are surrounded by very shallow water.
There are also plenty of redfish out at the rocks as well as around docks, where they are mixed in with black drum. Both species will take fresh cut shrimp.
The trout fishing varies depends on where you are fishing, and the smallest trout are being caught in the IntraCoastal Waterway right now. The better inshore fish are in quiet backwater channels. Many of these backwaters are man-made, as where they were dug out for houses or other structures. There are also some trout being caught in the same type of holes in the creeks where you can find redfish.
But the biggest trout are still being found out at the jetties where they are wintering for now.
Moving tides are still fishing the best and live shrimp under a popping cork are impossible to beat. Trout Tricks and Gulp! new penny shrimp are also working.
Cold ocean temperatures are generating a slow bite on the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), but they have picked up the occasional slot redfish. The main catch is still small whiting and croaker.
January 20
Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are about 51 degrees and after recent rains clarity has dropped.
With water temperatures normal for this time of year, Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that fish are in pretty stable, typical winter patterns.
You can find the redfish on the shallow flats where you can locate them visually, either looking for tails or torpedo movements in the water. Often they are super shallow seeking protection from dolphins.
The best time to target the flats redfish is generally the low to rising tide and Gulp! baits are working very well as well as are live finger mullet. If you are fishing for flats reds at higher tides then cut bait along the grass edges is often the best way to target them. There are also some good fish being caught in holes back in the marsh. These could be four- or five-foot depressions, usually at creek bends, which are surrounded by very shallow water.
There are also plenty of redfish out at the rocks as well as around docks, where they are mixed in with black drum. Both species will take fresh cut shrimp.
The trout fishing varies depends on where you are fishing, and the smallest trout are being caught in the IntraCoastal Waterway right now. The better inshore fish are in quiet backwater channels. Many of these backwaters are man-made, as where they were dug out for houses or other structures. There are also some trout being caught in the same type of holes in the creeks where you can find redfish.
But the biggest trout are still being found out at the jetties where they are wintering for now.
Moving tides are still fishing the best and live shrimp under a popping cork are impossible to beat. Trout Tricks and Gulp! new penny shrimp are also working.
There is inconsistent action on the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) for small whiting and croaker.
January 6
Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are about 56 degrees and the water is pretty dirty.
Because of high winds and big tides the water is not as clear as normal at this time of year, but other than that Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports fish are in pretty normal winter patterns.
The redfish are well into their winter cycle and you can find them on the shallow flats where you can locate them visually, either looking for tails or torpedo movements in the water. Often they are super shallow seeking protection from dolphins.
The best time to target the flats redfish is generally the low to rising tide and Gulp! baits are working very well as well as are live finger mullet. If you are fishing for flats reds at higher tides then cut bait along the grass edges is often the best way to target them. There are also some good fish being caught in holes back in the marsh.
There are also plenty of redfish out at the rocks as well as around docks, where they are mixed in with black drum. Both species will take fresh cut shrimp.
The trout fishing varies depends on where you are fishing, and the smallest trout are being caught in the IntraCoastal Waterway right now. The better inshore fish are coming in the same type of holes in the creeks where you can find redfish or in quiet backwater channels. Many of these backwaters are man-made, as where they were dug out for houses or other structures.
But the biggest trout are still being found out at the jetties where they are wintering for now.
Moving tides are still fishing the best and live shrimp under a popping cork are impossible to beat. Trout Tricks and Gulp! new penny shrimp are also working.
There is inconsistent action on the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) for croaker, whiting, small flounder and pufferfish.
December 22
Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are about 55 degrees and the water is clear.
We are in a season where fish can be very responsive to weather conditions, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that on cold days they can get pretty lethargic. On warmer days they will be more active and feed better.
This can be particularly true for redfish, which are well into their winter cycle. They are on the shallow flats where you can locate them visually, either looking for tails or torpedo movements in the water. Often they are super shallow seeking protection from dolphins.
The best time to target the redfish is generally the low to rising tide and Gulp! baits are working very well as well as are some natural baits. If you are fishing for flats reds at higher tides then cut bait along the grass edges is often the best way to target them.
There are also plenty of redfish out at the rocks as well as around docks, where they are mixed in with black drum. Both species will take fresh cut shrimp.
The trout fishing has faded a bit in the IntraCoastal Waterway, and the best way to target them is either to fish in the inlet or in the quiet backwater channels. Many of these backwaters are man-made, as where they were dug out for houses or other structures.
Moving tides are still fishing the best and live shrimp under a popping cork are hard to beat. Chartreuse Vudu Shrimp are also working well.
There is inconsistent action on the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) for croaker, whiting and pufferfish.
December 16
Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are about 57 degrees and the water is pretty clear. Out in the inlet on the incoming tide there is beautiful blue water coming in.
Trout are all over the place right now, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that they are catching them in the backs of creeks, on the ledges in the Intracoastal Waterway, and out at the jetties. Many of them are undersized but there are also plenty of better ones mixed in. Moving tides are still fishing the best and live shrimp under a popping cork are hard to beat. Chartreuse Vudu Shrimp are also working well.
Out at the jetties they are picking up plenty of sheepshead on live shrimp while trout fishing, and if you want to target them specifically use fiddler crabs.
The redfish and black drum are also biting pretty well in the shallower creeks, where the largest trout also seem to be, and on the incoming tide they are doing well with fresh cut shrimp around structure. Reds will also take Gulp!
There are also some big schools of redfish in the Intracoastal.
There is inconsistent action on the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) for croaker, whiting and pufferfish.
December 2
Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are about 58 degrees and the water is pretty clear. In skinny water it appears to be gin clear.
It’s been really good inshore fishing for black drum and redfish on the north end of the South Carolina Grand Strand, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that they are catching both species with fresh cut shrimp fished on the bottom in the Intracoastal Waterway. Fish are related to docks in about 7 feet of water as well as oyster beds, and on lower tides the reds are schooled up in only 1-2 feet of water around the ICW. They are very spooky and so casting artificials to them is tricky, but you can cast a piece of cut mullet nearby and wait for them to eat it.
The trout fishing is still really good in the area and Captain Smiley reports that the larger fish seem to be in the Intracoastal. Moving tides are important with the incoming fishing best. Live shrimp are the best bait, but a DOA Shrimp, Trout Trick or Vudu Shrimp will also catch fish.
There are still plenty of small flounder around.
It’s getting to be that time of year where it’s spotty fishing on the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), and they are still having some times where the whiting fishing is really good but other days when they barely bite. They are also picking up some small black drum, flounder, croaker and perch.
November 19
Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River dropped to about 54 degrees.
The trout fishing is still on fire on the north end of the South Carolina Grand Strand, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that it doesn’t get much better than this. The best fishing continues to be on the low to rising tide, but they will also bite on the outgoing. Overall having some current is still key, whichever way it is moving, and on the slack tide fish usually don’t feed much.
The trout are still around shell beds near the edge of spartina grass in about 6 feet of water in creeks off the IntraCoastal. Live shrimp have been working the best, but it’s also a good time to try out different artificial lures since the fish are feeding so well. DOA shrimp and chartreuse-colored Vudu Shrimp have also been good.
The action for redfish has also been strong in the creeks, and – while the fish will also take live bait – Gulp! in new penny colors has been working really well.
The flounder fishing is still pretty good on both sides of the state line. The best action has come on flats with live mullet or Gulp! baits.
Big black drum are still being caught on shrimp or crab baits around oyster beds and docks, especially off the Tilghman docks.
It continues to be wide open whiting fish on the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), and they are also catching small croaker, a few spots and some nice pompano. They are also picking up the occasional flounder.
Conditions are still so windy that it has limited fishing at the nearshore reefs, but there should be bluefish, big red drum and some flounder on the bottom.
November 12
Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River dropped to about 59 degrees but have now rebounded to about 62.
This is the prime time for trout fishing on the north end of the South Carolina Grand Strand, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that catches have been really good. The best fishing continues to be on the low to rising tide, but they will also bite on the outgoing. Overall having some current is still key, whichever way it is moving, and on the slack tide fish usually won’t bite. The trout are still around shell beds near the edge of spartina grass in about 6 feet of water in creeks off the IntraCoastal. Live shrimp have been working the best, but chartreuse-colored Vudu Shrimp have also been good.
The action for redfish has also been good in the creeks, and – while the fish will also take live bait – Gulp! in new penny colors has been working really well. In the inlet they are catching some fish over the slot.
The flounder fishing is still pretty good on both sides of the state line. The best action has come on flats with live mullet or Gulp! baits.
Big black drum are still being caught on shrimp or crab baits off the Tilghman docks.
While the Spanish mackerel have disappeared, Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that they are in the middle of a really good whiting run. They are also catching some croaker, pompano, and slot-sized red and black drum.
Conditions have been so windy that it has limited fishing at the nearshore reefs, but there should be bluefish, bid red drum and some flounder on the bottom.
November 4
Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are 68 degrees and on the incoming tide the water is a pretty blue.
The trout fishing is picking up on the north end of the South Carolina Grand Strand, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that the best fishing has been on the low to rising tide but the outgoing has also fished pretty well. Having some current has been key, whichever way it is moving. The fish have been around shell beds near the edge of spartina grass in about 6 feet of water in creeks off the IntraCoastal. Live shrimp have been working the best, but paddle tail Bass Assassins or Vudu Shrimp have also been good.
There have also been some redfish in the same areas.
The flounder fishing has been really good recently, and they have been catching a bunch of 15-23 inch fish on both sides of the state line. The best action has come on flats with live mullet or Gulp! baits.
Big black drum are being caught on shrimp or crab baits off the Tilghman docks.
At the jetties there are trout around as well as smaller redfish in the rocks, but the cold front has probably pushed many of the larger red drum out. However, there are undoubtedly still some that will take live or cut menhaden.
It’s been a pretty outstanding bite for Spanish mackerel off the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), which reports that anglers are limiting out on 12-16 inch fish jigging. They are also catching decent numbers of pompano, bluefish, croaker, whiting, spots and small flounder.
At the nearshore reefs there are lots of small Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and some flounder on the bottom.
October 20
Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are 74 degrees and bait including mullet is everywhere.
Fall fishing has arrived to the north end of the South Carolina coast, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that while the numbers are not here yet they have caught some very large trout including the 28-inch, 8-pound fish pictured below. Live shrimp are the ticket and more trout will soon arrive.
While the flounder bite has been decent on finger mullet on a Carolina rig, the inshore redfish action has been very good around the grass lines with mullet or shrimp. Bluefish can also be caught on the inside, and throwing topwater plugs can make for some very exciting action.
With the mullet also prolific at the jetties and in the surf you can catch reds about everywhere, and they are catching some nice bull reds surf fishing with cut bait. There are also some smaller reds in the rocks at the jetties that will eat finger mullet, while the bigger drum seem to be staying a little further off the rocks. Fishing menhaden on a Carolina rig has been the best way to catch these bulls.
There are also a bunch of bluefish in the inlet and around the jetties smashing finger mullet, and Spanish mackerel are hit-or-miss in the same areas.
The surf is just starting to clear up again, and Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that they have had a few king mackerel this week as well as lots of Spanish mackerel jigging. There have also been some nice pompano caught as well as a few spots, but they are not really running yet.
Surf temperatures off the pier today are 73 degrees.
At the Jim Caudle Reef they are catching nice flounder on live finger mullet, and there are also a bunch of 18-20 inch bluefish around.
October 7
Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are 78 degrees.
While much of the action has been in the inlet, Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that with a ton of bait around the inshore fishing has also been strong the last week or so. While you have to release fish caught in North Carolina waters, there has been some good flounder fishing with live finger mullet on a Carolina rig. In the Intracoastal Waterway they are also catching some good redfish on cut mullet or live ones, and on lower tides they are also catching shallower redfish on the flats. At higher tides they are locating them around structure like docks in the Intracoastal or along grass edges.
The big black drum that were around last week have vacated, but there have been smaller ones in the same 15-20 foot areas inside the main channels. Shrimp or crabs will work.
Inshore the trout fishing has still not really turned on, but floating live shrimp along the ledges has been decent. There have also been some fish caught at the jetty rocks.
In the surf the fishing has been outstanding recently, and Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that in the last 24 hours as the water has gotten dirtier the spots have been biting furiously. Every day this week they have had king mackerel, usually after lunch time, and the Spanish mackerel have also been biting well. They have also picked up plenty of whiting, bluefish, and even a few red drum.
Surf temperatures off the pier today were also 78 degrees.
In the Little River Inlet they are still catching red drum in the 30-40 plus inch range even though the bite has been a little more up-and-down, and cut menhaden have been key this week. The fish have been towards the end of the rocks or in some of the well-known 30-foot holes.
With acres of mullet still around at times Captain Smiley also reports that along the beach or right outside the inlet there are still lots of big Spanish mackerel around chasing the mullet. You can catch them on big topwater plugs or live chumming with mullet and then doing a bait-and-switch!
Even though he hasn’t been offshore this week, at the Jim Caudle Reef there should still be lots of flounder as well as bluefish and Spanish mackerel.
September 29
Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are about 77 degrees.
It’s a really good time to fish in the Little River area, and from inshore to the inlet to the beaches to nearshore it’s getting to be a strong fall bite. Perhaps the most exciting bite is in the Little River Inlet, and big red drum in the 30-40 plus inch range are being caught. The incoming tide has been the best time to fish and live or cut mullet and menhaden will both work.
Further inshore they are also catching redfish and very good numbers of black drum in a little deeper water inside the main channels, typically in 15-20 feet. Both species will take shrimp and crabs, while the live menhaden or mullet will catch redfish.
On lower tides they are also catching shallower redfish on the flats, while at higher tides they are locating them around structure like docks in the Intracoastal or along grass edges.
The trout bite inshore has been decent with live shrimp fished under a float along the ledges, and fish can also be caught on slip floats at the jetties.
There’s not a lot of change in the flounder fishing, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that live mullet on the bottom as well as Gulp! baits are both working.
For the last few days the fishing off Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) has been very strong, and yesterday they had three king mackerel caught as well as some big Spanish mackerel on the king rigs – including a 6 pound 2 ounce fish! They are also catching some smaller Spanish jigging. Today the water was a little dirtier, but it should get back to clear very soon.
Occasional keeper flounder and drum are being caught, as well as some whiting, spots, and croaker. However, the fall run of these species has not started in earnest.
Surf temperatures off the pier today were 79 degrees.
Unsurprisingly considering the catches at the pier, Captain Smiley reports that along the beach or right outside the inlet there are lots of big Spanish mackerel around chasing the mullet. You can catch them on big topwater plugs or live chumming with mullet and then doing a bait-and-switch!
At the Jim Caudle Reef there are lots of flounder as well as bluefish and Spanish mackerel.
September 17
Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River have dropped in the upper 70s.
The North Carolina flounder season ended this week, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that the brief season was a mix of good days and bad days. Now that they are back to only fishing South Carolina waters for flounder they are having similar, patchy success – but there are definitely still some fish to be caught.
Probably the best thing going inshore is the redfish, and using live finger mullet they are catching lots of 18-30 inch fish. On lower tides they are catching fish on the flats, while at higher tides they are locating them around structure like docks in the Intracoastal or along grass edges.
The trout bite inshore has been decent with live shrimp fished under a float along the ledges, and while Pat has not targeted them out there they should also be at the jetties.
It’s getting to be an exciting time in the surf, and Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that in the last 24 hours they have had a couple of king mackerel and some large Spanish mackerel on the king rigs. They are catching some smaller Spanish jigging. The only flounder caught recently have been small, while whiting, croaker and a few spot are around.
With mullet going down the beach there are also lots of 2-5 pound Spanish mackerel on the shoals near the jetties. They can be caught on live bait or any walk-the-dog style topwater plug. There are also some big drum in the inlet that can be caught on cut mullet, cut bluefish or live mullet on the bottom.
One good way to fish is to put out baits on the bottom and then cast for Spanish.
There are also some tarpon at the jetties.
September 2
Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River have dropped to about 82 degrees and with all the wind clarity has dropped.
Because the north end of the South Carolina Grand Strand pushes up against the North Carolina border, when it makes sense Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) likes to fish both sides of the state line. With the opening of the two-week flounder season in North Carolina this week, this was one of those times he likes to target North Carolina state waters. Howver, even though they caught a lot of fish most were in the 14-15 ½ inch range and getting a 16-incher was rare.
Probably the best place to target bigger flounder is at the nearshore reefs, but conditions have been so rough this week that wasn’t really possible.
Note that effective July 1 SC flounder regulations changed, with a new limit of 5 fish per person (from 10) and 10 per boat (from 20). The minimum size moved to 16 inches (from 15).
The hottest bite continues to be for redfish, and the best action continues to come on higher tides when fish are feeding on large schools of finger mullet in and around the edges of the grass. Naturally the best bait is mullet, and if you find areas where the redfish are feeding the bite can be really strong. Sometimes you want to put baits inside the grass, and sometimes the fish are feeding just along the outside the grass line.
They have also caught some redfish around docks, and there have also been some trout around the docks too. Trout are also being caught on live shrimp fished under a slip float out at the jetties. Fish are often about ten feet off the rocks.
Before the storms fishing was very good off the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), but when the storm came through on Tuesday the water got dirty and the fishing really dropped off. They had one king mackerel at the beginning of the week, but since then the catch has only been a few croaker and whiting.
It’s been too windy to get offshore this week.