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

May 23

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are in the mid- to upper 70s, and the water is very clear – especially on the incoming tide.

As temperatures have gotten consistently warm the action has really improved, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that for about the last week fishing has been pretty outstanding.

Small shrimp are abundant and can be easily cast-netted, and the best place to fish them has been at the jetties.  Rigging the shrimp on a split shot rig with a size 4 hook and casting into the rocks they have been catching an awesome mixed bag of species, including redfish, black drum, trout, bluefish and even Spanish mackerel.

In the Intracoastal they are also catching some really nice trout, like the 5-pounder pictured below, on topwater plugs like Spooks and Mirrolures fished over shallow water first thing.  You will also pick up bluefish up to about 20 inches the same way.  After the sun gets up a little then fishing the ledges with shrimp has been effective for trout.

Besides at the jetties, fishing for reds in grass flats at higher tides has been effective.  Find small open spots in the thick stuff, and soak cut chunks of mullet.  Just like it would for a catfish, the smell will bring the fish in.

Smaller black drum are also biting well around docks in the Intracoastal.

While they are still not seeing the numbers of flounder they would like, live mud minnows, Gulp! jerk shad and shrimp in new penny color are also picking up some flatfish.

Small striper are usually around in the ICW and they are being caught right now.

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that whiting and croaker are both being caught off the pier, and there have also been Spanish up to 17 plus inches caught today.  A nice 27-inch black drum was caught recently, but kings and flounder have been absent of late.

On pretty days a fantastic cobiabite has just developed, and from 6-10 miles out at the nearshore reefs the fishing has been very strong.  One of Captain Smiley’s boats hooked 15 cobia and landed 10 on Tuesday!  They are using Sabiki rigs to jig up small reef baitfish like pinfish.  Spadefish are also around by the thousands but they have been difficult to get to bite so far.

May 9

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are around 71-72 degrees.

Flounderfishing has been good drifting Carolina rigs around the tide cycle in Hog Inlet and the Cherry Grove area, but this week Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that fish have also started to show up in the Little River area. They can be caught casting ¼ ounce jigheads with live minnows or Gulp! baits into moving water.  Deep holes in the creeks and drop offs have been the best place to fish, and the best bite has been on the falling tide.

They are also some catching redfishin the 15-27 inch range in 2-5 foot potholes in the creeks.  Three hours either side of low tide when the water is out of the grass has been the best time, and the fish really seem to want blue crabs or mud minnows on a ¼ ounce jighead.

On higher stages of the tide you have to fish the grass, and if you can find a flat area with sparser grass or a clean bottom then anchoring cut mullet or crab and waiting is a good pattern.

Bluefish are around and in the same low tide holes as the reds.

Black drumcan be caught around docks on fresh cut shrimp throughout the tide cycle, but the outgoing has been best.

The troutbite remains slowed down from its peak, but they are catching some undersized fish again.

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that last weekend they had several king mackerel in the 21-36 pound range caught, as well as keeper Spanish mackerel up to 25 inches.  Bluefish ranging from ½ to 5 pounds are also being caught as well as pompano, whiting and a few trout.

At the jetties Spanish mackerel and blues can be caught casting spoons, and at the nearshore reefs spadefish, weakfish, bluefish and Spanish are around.  Cobia have also just started to show up.

April 24

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are around 68-70 degrees, and the water has gotten dirty.

Even though catches have been pretty consistent, Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly(843-361-7445) reports that there have been some difficult fishing conditions with the wind during this transitional fishing season.

The best thing going right now is probably the flounder fishing in the Cherry Grove area, which has gotten really good.  Cherry Grove is the typical hot-spot during this period on the north end of the Grand Strand, and this year is no exception.  Drifting live mud minnows on a Carolina rig around the tide cycle is working as long is there is current.

In the Little River area the best pattern has been fishing docks in 5-6 feet of water for both redfish and black drum.  The best time to fish is the lower stages of the tide when there is still a little current, and on windy days anchoring at docks provides a fishable pattern.  Fresh cut shrimp and live shrimp will catch both species, while mud minnows will work for the reds.  Crabs will probably also work for both species although Captain Smiley’s boats have not tried them.

The troutbite has slowed down substantially, with up-and-down temperatures a likely culprit.  Once temperatures stabilize it should get better again.

At the jetties sharks are thick, and Captain Smiley’s boats have caught Atlantic sharpnose and even a small bull shark.

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that fishing is starting to get really good off the pier, and lots of small bluefishare being caught.  Small Spanish mackerelare also showing up, and they have also gotten whiting and occasional flounder.  One flounder has been big enough to keep so far.

On days when you can get offshore Captain Smiley reports that nearshore at the 3-mile Caudle Reef weakfish, small bluefish, trout, and small black sea bassare around.

April 2

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand range from about 57 to 58 degrees, while the ocean is around 61.  Overall the water is still pretty clear.

Fishing in the Little River area is excellent, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that their main focus continues to be trout.  Not only are they extremely plentiful, but when there are lots of huge fish in the 25-30 inch range being caught it’s hard not to focus on the gators!

The key for catching the biggest fish has been drifting out at the jetties with live shrimp, which are still available at Captain Crumb’s Outpost off 501 in Myrtle Beach.  They are consistently catching the big ones floating live shrimp down the rocks on either the incoming or outgoing tide as long as there is some current.  They are fishing the bait 5-8 feet down on a suspended cork right off the rocks.  Some nice redfishin the 24-28 inch range are also being picked up this way.

Inside the creeks they are also catching trout on live shrimp as well as mud minnows, with the best action coming over either shelly or sandy bottoms on the low to rising tide. Gulp and Vudu Shrimp are also working, and about anywhere you stop you can catch lots and lots of small trout.  There are also some good ones inside the creeks, and unlike the ocean fish they seem pretty happy with live baits or artificials.

They are also picking up some nice reds inside the creeks, particularly in deep holes with 5-12 feet of water.

Black drumare feeding pretty well around docks on live or cut shrimp, but since they aren’t as finicky cut shrimp is the more cost-effective choice. They are also being found around drop-offs in the ICW, with the best action coming in five feet of water or less. You need current whether coming in or going out.

A few flounderare being caught, and about each trip they seem to get one keeper.  Very soon they should be plentiful in the Cherry Grove area, the first place they show up each year.

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that in the last few days they have been doing really well for whiting, and there have also been some bluefish caught.  Last weekend there were a fair number of trout caught off the pier.

Nearshore Spanish mackerel are starting to show up as well as bluefish and dogfish.  At the 3-mile Jim Caudle Reef black sea bassare becoming prolific.

March 14

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand range from about 56 to 60 or 61.  While clarity is still good, snot grass is showing up typically for this time of year and so anglers are constantly having to clean it off of hooks.

It’s hard to lead off with anything besides troutwhen they are catching fish in the 10-pound range!  Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that out at the Little River jetties Captain Chris Ossman of his guide service has recently caught several fish in the 27-30 inch range, including the 30-inch fish pictured below.  The closest place where live shrimp are available is at Captain Crumb’s Outpost off 501 in Myrtle Beach, but it’s worth going because they have been making the difference for monster specks.  Drifting shrimp over the rocks under a slip bobber on the outgoing tide has been the ticket.  Adjust the depth until you find where the fish are holding and want to eat on a particular day.

Inshore there are also some trout being caught on the falling tide around oyster beds on live mud minnows. They will of course take shrimp, too.

Redfishcan also be picked up in the Inlet, and they are also catching red and black drum inshore.  Tuesday Captain Smiley caught eight nice redfish between 18 and 26 inches to with the other species targeted.   The best action has come on the incoming tide in very shallow water where there are 2-5 foot potholes in shallow creeks. Because they are targeting both redfish and black drum fresh cut shrimp is the bait of choice.

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that surf temperatures are around 57 degrees, and the catch mainly consists of whiting and small croaker.  The ocean is clear.

February 8

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand have risen all the way to 59 degrees; although the water is clear breezy conditions this week have reduced visibility.

Even as temperatures warm redfish continue to be in the same type of places they have been much of the winter, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that on the falling tide today they have been able to pick up some creek fish by positioning the boat in shallow water and casting into little holes with 3-4 feet of water.  Sometimes low tide redfish will be in such shallow areas that they can not even be accessed with a boat, and at times Captain Smiley will get out and walk in hard, sandy creeks.  Fish are primarily in these spots hiding from dolphins looking to feed.  When fishing the dropping tide you have to be conscious of water levels so you don’t get stuck.

Fish can also be caught on the flats, and at this time of year the best conditions on the flats are low to rising tide in the middle of the day when the shallow mud flats can warm. You can spot them just laying around, pushing water, or you can see puffs of mud where they have been.

Artificial baits like Vudu Shrimp, Gulp! baits in New Penny, and mud minnows fished under a popping cork have all been working, but Captain Smiley points out that you will miss a lot of fish right now.  Every year at about this time they bite funny, grabbing half of the bait and sometimes spitting it out.

Trout can still be caught in the Intracoastal Waterway around drop offs in 5-10 feet of water, and they will also be around moving water near oyster banks.  Today they have mainly been catching smaller fish in the 13-inch range, but there are better fish around too.  Gulp! baits on a ¼ ounce jighead are working.

Fish can be also caught at the jetties, where the best pattern remains fishing live mullet, mud minnows or ideally shrimp under a slip bobber.  Drifting the bait with the current in 4-10 feet of water is the best pattern, which usually means keeping the bobber about 5-10 feet off the rocks. Any closer than that and the bait will usually get hung up.

There is still a good bite for smaller black drum, with some of the fish keeper-sized.  On the ledges fish can be caught in about 10 feet of water on small pieces of cut shrimp.

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that surf temperatures have risen to about 50 degrees but only a few small whiting have been caught.

January 25

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are still about 46-48 degrees.  Clarity is winter normal.

Fishing for redfish has been up and down this week, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that even though they had some good days extremely low tides were too late in the day to be ideal for fishing.  Things should be much better going forward.

At this time of year the best conditions for fishing is a low to rising tide in the middle of the day when the shallow mud flats can warm.  Even though the fish are in a semi-lethargic state, they will eat.  You can spot them just laying around, pushing water, or you can see puffs of mud where they have been.

Redfish can also be caught in the creeks, and they will get into small tidal pools with 4-8 feet of water. The fish are not visible to anglers, but primarily they are in these spots hiding from dolphins looking to feed. Sometimes they will be in super shallow areas that can not even be accessed with a boat, and at times Captain Smiley will get out and walk in hard sandy creeks.

Artificial baits like Vudu Shrimp, Gulp! baits in New Penny, and mud minnows fished under a popping cork have all been working.

Trout can be caught at the jetties as well as inside the creeks.  Out at the jetties the best pattern is fishing live mullet, mud minnows or ideally shrimp under a slip bobber.  Drifting the bait with the current in 4-10 feet of water is the best pattern, which usually means keeping the bobber about 5-10 feet off the rocks.  Any closer than that and the bait will usually get hung up.

There is also good trout fishing in the Intracoastal Waterway.  Fish will not be on the flats but around drop offs in 5-10 feet of water, and they also look for moving water.  Live finger mullet have been working well, with the best action usually on the rising tide but some fish also being caught on the incoming.

There is still a good bite for smaller black drum, with some of the fish keeper-sized.  On the ledges fish can be caught in about 10 feet of water on small pieces of cut shrimp.

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that surf temperatures have dropped to about 50 degrees and the catch is limited to a few whiting, black drum, and the occasional flounder.

January 18

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand have dropped to 46-48 degrees.  Clarity is back to winter normal.

Water temperatures have dropped in the last week to ten days, but not enough to run the troutoff.  Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that they are still catching fish out at the jetties as well as inside in the Intracoastal along ledges in 5-10 feet.  Live finger mullet have been working well, with the best action usually on the rising tide but some fish also being caught on the incoming.

Colder, clearer water is a mixed blessing for redfish, as the fish are a bit less aggressive but much easier to see.  Sight fishing the low to rising tide is the best time to targets reds that have generally been slot-sized and above.  In addition to flats fishing, fish can also be found in the creeks around oyster beds and docks.

Artificial baits like Vudu Shrimp, Gulp! baits in New Penny, and mud minnows fished under a popping cork have all been working.

There is still a good bite for smaller black drum, although some of the fish are keeper-sized.  On the ledges fish can be caught in about 10 feet of water on small pieces of cut shrimp.

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that surf temperatures have dropped to around 53 degrees and the catch has become limited to a few whiting and black drum.

January 9

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand have warmed up to 56-58 degrees.  Because of rain, wind and warmer than usual temperatures the water is not as clear as usual at this time of year.

Probably because of the unseasonably warm weather, Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that fishing is excellent right now for a variety of species.  They are catching a lot of slot-sized redfish as well as over-the-slot fish, and even though it’s winter fish are not grouped up in huge schools.  Frankly the fish are not in that different a pattern from what they have been in.  Fish can be found around oyster beds, docks, and on the flats, and both the incoming and outgoing tide have been productive in the right places.

Artificial baits like Vudu Shrimp, Gulp! baits in New Penny, and mud minnows fished under a popping cork have all been working.

The trout bite is still good, and they are catching fish in 5-10 feet along the ledges in the Intracoastal.  Both live mud minnows and Vudu Shrimp are working well, and while the best action has generally come on the rising tide yesterday they caught some fishing on the outgoing.

There is still a good bite for smaller black drum, although some of the fish are keeper-sized.  On the ledges fish can be caught in about 10 feet of water on small pieces of cut shrimp.

Captain Smiley’s boats have evened picked up some small flounder lately!

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that surf temperatures have risen into the upper 50s, and as a result some fish have come closer to the beach.  There has been a pretty strong whiting run for January, and they have also caught some bluefish and a few flounder up to 16 inches.

January 1

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are in the low 50s, and the water is seasonably clear.

There’s good action to be found in the Little River area, where Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that the troutbite is the best thing going.  They are catching trout along the ledges as well as out at the Little River jetties, and both live mud minnows and Vudu Shrimp are working well.

Redfish have also been very welling to eat, and Captain Smiley’s boats are catching a lot of bigger fish over the slot.  Mud minnows fished under a popping cork have been productive around oysters beds, docks and grass edges in the IntraCoastal.  Fish are schooled up tight and the best action has been on the incoming tide.

November 27

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are around 55 degrees, and after some extremely high “king” tides last weekend the water is a little dirty.

It’s still a good time to fish in the Little River area, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that they continue to catch a lot of small trout.  Fish can still be caught in a lot of different places, but casting to ledges in about 10 feet has been very productive.  Stage of the tide does not matter as long as there is moving water. By now they are pretty much fishing with artificials, including Gulp! And Vudu Shrimp.  White and chartreuse have been the best colors.

It’s getting late in the season but some flounder have also been picked up fishing the ledges for trout.

Redfish and black drum have both been together, and fishing with fresh, cut shrimp Captain Smiley’s boat has been picking up both species around docks and particularly around docks near shelly bottoms. The best bite has been on the incoming tide in 3-8 feet of water.

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that surf temperatures are still about 60 degrees, but there is very little being caught off the pier. Some small whiting and undersized black drum are about the extent of the catch.

November 12

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are down to the lower 60s, and the water has cleared up.

As would be expected on the South Carolina coast in the fall, Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that inshore fishing is good for a mixed bag of species.  Plenty of trout are being caught, and the only downside is that overall the fish are pretty small with relatively few keepers mixed in.  They will take most anything white, including live shrimp as well as Gulp! shrimp in white with a chartreuse tail.  Fish seem to be literally everywhere, and they can be caught around channels, sand bars, oyster beds, drop offs, and anywhere else that provides some sort of transition.  They are deep and shallow, and can be caught throughout the tide cycle.

Redfish are also biting well, particularly around grass and oysters.  They can be caught on Gulp! and cut mullet with most of the fish fairly shallow.

A few black drum are being caught on fresh or live shrimp fished around docks on the incoming tide.

Even though it’s getting late in the season, there has continued to be a pretty strong flounder bite.  On the outgoing tide they caught some nice fish on Gulp! baits yesterday afternoon.

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that surf temperatures are about 60 degrees, and spot, whiting, croaker, black drum and the tail end of the pompano have been caught.  Some bluefishwere also caught off the pier yesterday.

October 19

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are in the mid-70s, and the water is starting to clean up after the hurricane.  There are very few shrimp in the creeks after the storm flushed them out.

With two major storms it’s been a wild start to the fall in the Little River area, but Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that as the water moves from heavily stained to clearer the fishing continues to be good.

The biggest change since last report is that the bull red drum in the 35-45 inch range are showing up in the inlet.  They can be caught around the jetties in 20-35 feet of water.  This is strictly a catch-and-release fishery, and the tackle of choice is live or cut mullet on a Carolina rig with a 2-ounce sinker and a 6/0 circle hook.

Inshore there are plenty of smaller reds to be caught in the creeks, and they have been biting Gulp! shrimp, live finger mullet and shrimp.  Fish are holding shallow around the grass and oyster beds, and the incoming tide has been the best recently.

Black drum can be caught in holes and around oyster beds on live shrimp.  The low to rising tide has been best.

The trout bite has been pretty good recently.  Fish can be caught on topwater lures, and they can also be caught in the Intracoastal around ledges and drops in about 10 feet of water.  Live shrimp under a popping cork are hard to beat.

Captain Smiley’s boats are also picking up some flounder here and there.

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that pier fishing has been excellent recently, and just this Monday elevenking mackerel were caught off the pier.  They have also caught some nice 19-20 inch Spanish mackerel as well as flounder in the same size range.  Slot-sized redfish have been coming off the pier as well as a bunch of (mostly undersized) trout.  There are of course whiting, pinfish, and some spot around.

September 18

Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand remain in the mid-80s and there is a ton of freshwater inflow from the Waccamaw.  Post-hurricane water conditions are very dirty, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that the storm does appear to have blown some shrimp out of the creeks. However, there are still plenty of shrimp and mullet around and overall the creeks are full of life.

While there is some flooding on the northern end of the South Carolina coast, the storm does not seem to have negatively affected the fishing.  They were biting before Florence, and back on the water today that was still the case.

The redfishbite is excellent, and Captain Smiley’s boats have found good numbers of 17-25 inch fish up shallow in 1-3 or 4 feet of water. Tide does not seem to matter, and last week they bit very well on high tide while today they were biting well on the low to rising.  Live shrimp, live mullet and Vudu Shrimp have all been working well.  There has also been a topwater bite throughout the day.

On the incoming tide trout can be caught in moving water along drops in the ICW, with the best action in 4-10 feet of water.  Live shrimp and Vudu Shrimp under popping corks have been working well.  Remember that 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.

Black drum can also be found in the same areas and will take live or fresh cut shrimp.  The outgoing has been best for black drum.

Flounderfishing has been excellent for an hour or two both sides of high tide.  Fish have been in creek mouths and along oyster beds, but the best fishing has actually been down the gut of fairly good-sized creeks.  Live mullet and Gulp! baits have both been working.

Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that the water is very dirty, but the good news is the pier is fine after the storm and reopened yesterday.  Fishing should improve as the water clears.