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The newest South Grand Strand fishing report can be found at: http://www.anglersheadquarters.com/ahq-insider-south-grand-strand-sc-fall-2019-fishing-report/

August 30

Inshore water temperatures inside the Murrells Inlet jetties are still around 85 degrees.  There are plenty of shrimp in the creeks and the mullet migration is well underway.  Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live shrimp, live fiddler crabs, live finger mullet, live pinfish, salt clam, and salt sand fleas as well as a full range of frozen baits.

With the water temperatures still hot, Captain J Baisch (843-902-0356) reports that inshore fishing has been a little tough.  There are some “rat” redfishbeing caught inshore as well as some fish that are over the slot, and there are a few trout around, but overall inshore fishing in the Murrells Inlet area is not especially productive.  Water temperatures need to drop about 5 degrees for things to turn on and for migratory trout to start to arrive.  Further south around Georgetown the inshore fishing has been better, and on a recent trip they caught a bunch of pompanoand sheepsheadat the Georgetown jetties.

There are a decent number of whiting, bluefish and pompano in the surf at area beaches.

With inshore flounderfishing a little slow right now, Captain J has been heading offshore to target them.  Yesterday they caught a bunch of nice flounder 15 miles offshore and kept 8.

While there are not many smaller Spanish or king mackerel around right now, there have been some big king mackerel caught recently.  In a tournament last weekend a 42- and a 44-pounder were caught, and there have generally been some nice catches at structure about 3 miles out.  Fishing live mullet or menhaden has been the best way to catch fish at the nearshore reefs.

July 31

Inshore water temperatures inside the Murrells Inlet jetties have dropped from about 89 to 84.  Finger mullet are a good bait size, and if you know where to look there are good bait-sized shrimp.  Overall the water is pretty clear.  Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live shrimp, live fiddler crabs, live finger mullet, live pinfish, salt clam, salt sand fleas as well as a full range of frozen baits.

It’s nice to be able to report some good news inshore, and Captain J Baisch (843-902-0356) reports that cooler inshore temperatures have really improved the bite this week.  In particular the flounder fishing has gotten much better, and this week on a trip with Murrells Inlet fishing legend Roy Meservy they had a great outing and brought home 12 keepers up to about 4 ½ pounds.  Dragging mud minnows or finger mullet is working, but the key is avoiding the warmest shallow water.  Anywhere that is cooler, be it a deeper hole, at the jetties or out at the reefs there is better flounder fishing.

The troutfishing has also picked up this week, and in addition to some excellent numbers they have caught some big trout up to the 5-pound range.  The best pattern has been floating live shrimp over oysters along the edge of the grass in about 5 feet of water.  The last hour or two of the incoming has been the best fishing.

While overall redfishare still slow in Murrells Inlet, to the north and south the fishing has been pretty good fishing cut mullet under docks.  Live mullet and shrimp are both working.  Captain J shares that he doesn’t mind if he doesn’t get a bite in the first few minutes, as it means that the pinfish aren’t around – often indicating trout or redfish are in the vicinity.

In the surf there has been some decent pompanofishing when the wind has laid down, and whiting and black drum have also been around.

The king mackerelbite that was so good nearshore has died this week, and it appears the fish have gone out to 80-90 feet.  There are some big Spanish mackerel around but the smaller ones have been hard to find, which is odd because there are a ton of glass minnows.

Out in 110-120 feet the bottom fishing is good for grouper, vermillion snapper, black sea bass, white grunts, triggerfishand more.

July 24

Inshore water temperatures inside the Murrells Inlet jetties are in the upper 80s to 90.  Bait-sized shrimp is abundant and finger mullet have also gotten to be the perfect size for bait.  Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live shrimp, live fiddler crabs, live finger mullet, live pinfish, salt clam, salt sand fleas as well as a full range of frozen baits.

Captain J Baisch (843-902-0356) reports that with hot water temperatures inshore fishing can be a little tough, and the most consistent action has been nearshore at reefs like the 3 Mile where they are catching king and Spanish mackerel.  One day this week they got five big kings to go with five very large Spanish.

Even though it’s slow there is a little action early and late inshore, and some troutare being caught on topwater lures first thing.  A few redfish are also being caught here and there, but for the most part they are singles and locating them is unpredictable.  The flounder catch is also down, and the fish that are being caught are coming in deeper areas or at the jetties.

In the surf there is a good pompanobite when there is blue water near the beach, but when it is windy or rainy and the water gets muddy fish head offshore.  There are also some bluefishbeing caught in the surf as well as inshore by flounder guys.

Out in 110-120 feet the bottom fishing is good for grouper, vermillion snapper, black sea bass, white grunts, triggerfishand more.

June 27

Inshore water temperatures at the Murrells Inlet jetties are in the lower 80s.  Shrimp in the creeks are bait-sized, and finger mullet are just getting there.  Menhaden have moved into the area.  Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live shrimp, live fiddler crabs, live finger mullet, live pinfish, salt clam, salt sand fleas as well as a full range of frozen baits.

Captain J Baisch (843-902-0356) reports that the most exciting development this week is that the king and Spanish mackerel have moved in really close following the schools of menhaden, and there have been some phenomenal catches off the piers (Apache Pier had 30 in one day) as well as out at the 3-Mile.  You can catch them trolling cigar minnows, smaller ballyhoo, or pulling live bait.

Flounder fishing has gotten a little spotty on the sound end of the Grand Strand, and some days they will get a bunch of keepers, and other days they will not.  It appears that the fish are schooled up pretty well, and so if you find the schools you do well – but if not you don’t.  Fish can be caught on mullet or mud minnows fished on Carolina rigs or jigheads, and for right now the fishing seems to be a little better at the jetties or in creeks closer to the ocean.  Out at the wrecks in the 30 or 40 feet of water there is good flounder fishing.

While there are still some reports of big trout being seen at the jetties, no one is catching them there on hook-and-line.  Probably the best way to catch trout is to throw topwater lures early, particularly on a morning high tide when you can cast over oyster beds.

While inshore redfish action has been a little slow, at the tips of the jetties they are catching some big reds on cut mullet as long as there is current and moving water. There are also sheepshead being caught on fiddler crabs at the jetties.

Black drumare still mainly small right now.

In the surf pompanoand whitingfishing remains really good, and there are plenty of sand fleas for bait.  There are also a few tarponin the area as well as at the Georgetown jetties.

45 miles offshore there is a buffet of bottom fish, including grouper, snapper, triggerfish, porgies and more.

June 21

Inshore water temperatures at the Murrells Inlet jetties are in the lower 80s.

Flounderfishing has been strong on the sound end of the Grand Strand, and Captain J Baisch (843-902-0356) also of Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) reports that in a local flounder tournament last week the winning fish was over 6 pounds and second place was not far off.  Fish can be caught on mullet or mud minnows fished on Carolina rigs or jigheads, and for right now the fishing seems to be a little better at the jetties or in creeks closer to the ocean.

There have also been some big trout out at the jetties, although targeting them is a little hit-or-miss.  Probably the best way to catch trout is to throw topwater lures early, particularly on a morning high tide when you can cast over oyster beds.

The finger mullet have just gotten big enough to use for bait, and live mud minnows and cut mullet are also working for redfish in deeper holes inside the creeks.  While available you can’t really use shrimp because you will get pecked to death by bait stealers.

While black drumare around they are mainly small right now.

In the surf pompanoand whiting are both around, and there are plenty of sand fleas for bait.  The key is to find the clearest water possible.

The king mackerel fishing continues to be phenomenal from the beach to the Gulf Stream.  The best concentrations of fish are in 35-40 feet of water, and you can catch them trolling cigar minnows, smaller ballyhoo, or pulling live bait.  There are also some cobiaaround the bait schools.

Spanish mackerel fishing is also strong, and they seem to be feeding on glass minnows but pushing schools of menhaden in order to corral the glass minnows.

The occasional early tarpon has been spotted.