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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-spring-2018-fishing-report/
February 9
Water temperatures in Murrells Inlet are still around 48 or 49 degrees, and the water remains very clear.
It’s been really windy this week, and Captain J of Fishful Thinking Guide Service (843-902-0356) reports that he hasn’t been able to do a lot of fishing. But by all reports it’s still a good time to go after redfishin the creeks with shrimp pieces at anchor, and at the nearshore reefs and wrecks the sheepsheadbite is still good. Black sea bass and vermillion snapper have also been caught on the nearshore side of offshore.
Offshore, Georgetown Landing Marina (843-546-1776) reports that on the days when someone goes out after them wahoo are around.
February 1
Water temperatures in Murrells Inlet are around 48 or 49 degrees, and the water is very clear.
With extremely high visibility in the creeks anglers can see what’s swimming around, and Captain J of Fishful Thinking Guide Service (843-902-0356) has been able to spot redfishin the creeks. Probably the best way to catch them is to fish with tiny pieces of cut shrimp on the bottom, put out a bunch of rods, and let the fish’s excellent sense of smell help them locate the bait.
The best bite, however, can be found out at the nearshore artificial reefs and wrecks in 20-40 feet of water fishing for sheepshead. For the next couple of months the fish will be out there as they get ready to spawn, and it’s a dynamite time to catch them.
It’s possible the lower Grand Strand avoided some of the worst troutkills that may have happened further south, and Captain J never saw evidence too many dead fish. There have also been some reports of trout spotted after the extreme cold. However, it’s far too early to tell. As a precautionary measure, the SCDNR is asking anglers to practice catch and release of all spotted seatrout through the end of September. To read the full news release click here.
December 21
Water temperatures in the Murrells Inlet area remain in the mid- to lower-50s and conditions are clearing nicely.
The inshore bite for black drum and redfishis still pretty good around the rocks, and troutare still biting inside the Inlet on both live bait and artificials. However, Captain J of Fishful Thinking Guide Service (843-902-0356) reports he has been heading offshore when conditions allowed, and earlier this week he caught three wahoo, six blackfin tuna, and a few king mackerel in the Gulf Stream. There is also some pretty good black sea bass fishing about 15 miles offshore.
December 15
Water temperatures in the Murrells Inlet area are have dipped into the mid- to lower-50s.
Winter is pretty much here, but Captain J of Fishful Thinking Guide Service (843-902-0356) reports that the fishing is still good. Lately he has been catching a bunch of black drum and redfish around the tips of the jetties, chiefly with cut shrimp on the bottom.
There are also a bunch of trout being caught inside Murrell’s Inlet, and anglers are throwing grubs and Mirrolures to target them. Floating live shrimp under a cork will also catch trout. There are still some shrimp around but they have gotten very hard to catch, but the bait shops do have them.
The wahoo are also still biting offshore and should continue through February or March.
December 1
Water temperatures in the Murrells Inlet area are around 60 degrees, and conditions are very clear.
It’s been a mild fall, and with moderate water temperatures Captain J of Fishful Thinking Guide Service (843-902-0356) reports that he is having a ton of success inshore for black drum, redfish and trout. In Murrells Inlet he is floating live shrimp over oysters and catching all three species. As long as there is moving water and the oysters are covered the tide has not been an issue.
At the jetties on lower stages of the tide Captain J has been having success for the same species with cut shrimp fished on the bottom around rocks.
There are tons of small flounder around for anglers trolling mud minnows, but only about one out of ten fish is a keeper.
Offshore there has been a tremendous wahoo bite, and Captain J reports that high speed trolling as well as pulling ballyhoo has been extremely productive. All of the fish are over 40 pounds with some over 70, and Captain J also caught a sailfish that was only 7 pounds shy of the state record.
