February 24
Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 50s in Murrells Inlet.
It’s still good fishing in Murrells Inlet, and Captain Tom Cushman of Cush’s Calmwater Charters (843-997-5850) reports that black drum can be found anywhere from about 5-25 feet but 10-20 feet is usually the best at this time of year. They seek out current flowing over holes and depressions, and both shrimp and crabs will work for them. Right now the bite is usually very subtle so it’s important to keep your line tight.
The trout continue to be in deep sloughs near oyster bars and over sandy bottoms again near oysters, and once again shrimp, available at Perry’s, are significantly out-fishing artificials. About 4-8 feet has been the best depth range, and usually the bait is 2-4 feet below a cork. Typically you need current but sometimes the fish have been biting right at low water.
The redfish are all over the place, sometimes on the shallow flats or related to oysters in a foot or two of water, and at other times in the middle of the creeks. They aren’t too picky about what they eat but live shrimp are also working very well.
February 16
Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s in Murrells Inlet.
Until the last couple of days weather has recently presented some challenges for fishing along the Grand Strand, but Captain Tom Cushman of Cush’s Calmwater Charters (843-997-5850) reports that overall the fishing is still very good.
The biggest change this week is that Tom is starting to target black drum, and he notes that they can be found anywhere from about 5-25 feet but 10-20 feet is usually the best at this time of year. They seek out current flowing over holes and depressions, and both shrimp and crabs will work for them. Right now the bite is usually very subtle so it’s important to keep your line tight.
The trout continue to be in deep sloughs near oyster bars and over sandy bottoms again near oysters, and once again shrimp, available at Perry’s, are significantly out-fishing artificials. About 4-8 feet has been the best depth range, and usually the bait is 2-4 feet below a cork. Typically you need current but sometimes the fish have been biting right at low water.
The redfish are all over the place, sometimes on the shallow flats or related to oysters in a foot or two of water, and at other times in the middle of the creeks. They aren’t too picky about what they eat but live shrimp are also working very well.
February 2
Morning surface water temperatures are around 54 degrees in Murrells Inlet.
Despite a little bit tougher trip yesterday in Murrells Inlet, Captain Tom Cushman of Cush’s Calmwater Charters (843-997-5850) reports that overall the fishing is still remarkably good. There’s no doubt that January has been better than October and November. With temperatures getting very cold this Saturday and Sunday that could change, but overall it’s been a very productive month plus – and they hope it stays that way.
The big trout continue to be in deep sloughs near oyster bars and over sandy bottoms again near oysters, and 4-8 feet has been the best depth range. While artificials may work, shrimp are easy to get at Perry’s Bait and Tackle and they definitely seem to be out-fishing lures. Usually the bait is 2-4 feet below a cork. Typically you need current but sometimes the fish have been biting right at low water.
The redfish are all over the place, sometimes on the shallow flats or related to oysters in a foot or two of water, and at other times in the middle of the creeks. They aren’t too picky about what they eat but live shrimp are also working very well.
The most surprising catch yesterday was that Tom caught several 13-14 inch flounder on live shrimp. It would seem an aberration to get flounder at the beginning of February, but lots of people are reporting the same.
January 20
Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 50s in Murrells Inlet and this week the water has been dirtier.
It continues to be a shockingly good January bite in Murrells Inlet, and Captain Tom Cushman of Cush’s Calmwater Charters (843-997-5850) reports that the fishing continues to be much better than expected. The last few times out he has caught big trout up to 20 inches and good numbers on live shrimp. The best areas seem to be deep sloughs near oyster bars and sandy bottoms again near oysters, and 4-8 feet has been the best depth range. Usually the bait is 2-4 feet below a cork. Typically you need current but recently the fish have also been biting right at low water.
Yesterday Tom was surprised not to catch any redfish, but generally they are around. He is certainly seeing some on the shallow flats or related to oysters in a foot or two of water, but there have also been times where they are just out in the middle of the creeks.
The jetties continue to be disappointing for all species.
January 6
Morning surface water temperatures are about 50 degrees at the Murrells Inlet jetties and 53 degrees inshore and the water is as clear as the Caribbean.
It took long enough, but Captain Tom Cushman of Cush’s Calmwater Charters (843-997-5850) reports that the fishing on the lower end of the Grand Strand finally seems to be dramatically improved. It’s mostly a mystery why the fishing didn’t pick up until early January, when it is usually starting to slow down, but right now there seem to be good numbers of both trout and redfish in the area. The trout are also big.
For both species the key seems to be fishing with live shrimp, available at Perry’s, but the trout are suspending higher in the water column while the reds seem to be running the bottom. The best pattern for trout has been fishing the bait under a cork in 3-8 feet of water around oyster bars, and moving water at mid-tide has been the best.
The redfish are biting the best in slower-moving current with baits on or near the bottom.
Both species are grouped up in pods.
The one disappointment is that the fishing at the jetties has been slow. It’s still worth looking out there but recently Tom has been skunked around the rocks and had to come to the warmer water inshore to find fish.
December 22
Morning surface water temperatures are about 53 degrees inshore in Murrells Inlet and water clarity has been unseasonably low.
From what he has seen there’s not been much improvement with the fishing on the Grand Strand, and Captain Tom Cushman of Cush’s Calmwater Charters (843-997-5850) reports that after the flurry of good fishing about two and a half weeks ago it’s been really tough. Even with live shrimp he has only caught a few small trout, and the fact that the water is dirty after wind and rain can’t be helping.
We are leaving the period where the fishing is typically good on the Grand Strand, and getting into the period where the bite usually slows down as a result of cold water temperatures. But there is still the hope that after this Arctic blast some more fish will show and better reports will come early in the New Year!
December 15
Morning surface water temperatures are about 56-57 degrees inshore in Murrells Inlet.
It’s been one of the strangest periods that Captain Tom Cushman of Cush’s Calmwater Charters (843-997-5850) can remember on the south end of Grand Strand, and after several weeks of struggling the fish finally moved into Murrells Inlet. For about a week everyone was hammering the trout, with the qualification that you needed live shrimp to get bites. Tons of small trout were around, but there were also decent numbers of 14-20 inch fish. There were also abundant schools of redfish. Black drum were also prolific, although generally smaller, and would eat live or dead shrimp.
However, by the beginning of this week the bite had dropped off, and the fish were few and far between. Sunday Tom managed one trout and a half dozen bluefish, and reports were similar from other captains and guides. Even though he was releasing the trout it seemed that the fish which had been there had either been hammered by the fishermen or moved out.
Now they are in the position of waiting for more fish to arrive, an unusual situation when the water temperatures are in the sweet spot of the mid-50s. When water temperatures drop into the low 50s or high 40s they expect the bite to really slow down, and it’s hard to understand what’s going on this season. It’s as bad as Tom has seen in in 25 years, outside of the years following really bad winter trout kills.
No one is quite sure why, although the hurricane has been offered as one possible explanation. But of course we’ve had hurricanes before…
December 1
Morning surface water temperatures are about 59 degrees inshore in Murrells Inlet and clarity is improving except right after rains.
The fishing is still tough in the Murrells Inlet area, and Captain Tom Cushman of Cush’s Calmwater Charters (843-997-5850) reports that getting bites is really a struggle. In particular the trout just have not showed up the way they usually have, and the only explanation that makes sense is that water temperatures are still too warm. In general the trout should be around shell bars and bends in the creek, but they just aren’t there right now. Neither live shrimp nor grubs are working.
Tom has managed to pick up a few redfish on artificials, but they also don’t seem to be around in very significant numbers. You can catch one or two out of a small school and then they disappear.
The jetties have also been slow, and even though there are undoubtedly some fish out there clearly there aren’t a bunch because then more would have made their way inside.
The next time out Tom’s boat may target black drum, chumming in some of the deeper holes that have moving water and then putting baits on the bottom.
November 18
This week morning surface water temperatures have dropped to the upper 50s inshore in Murrells Inlet and clarity is improving.
While we were hoping to have a better report this week from Captain Tom Cushman of Cush’s Calmwater Charters (843-997-5850), sometimes it’s just nice to know that you are getting the truth. That way when you hear the fish are biting you know you can rely on it!
And this week there is no doubt that Captain Tom is giving us the unvarnished truth, which is unfortunately that on the south end of the Grand Strand the fishing is brutal. After a lot of hours fishing in Murrell’s Inlet and then running up to the rocks off Garden City – and a lot of sore arms from casting lures, and a lot of drowned mullet – the report is not good. His last time out Captain Tom caught only two small flounder and one trout. The redfish were completely uncooperative.
It's been hard to net shrimp recently as they seem to have been flushed out by the recent weather, meaning you have to rely on artificials, and it seems like the only trout around right now are the 13-18 inch resident fish. That’s a bad combination, because the fish have had so many baits thrown at them for so long now. It’s possible that live shrimp would improve the catch even though mullet didn’t work.
Tom is really hoping that in the next week or two the big migratory trout move into the area, and his fear is that if they don’t do it soon it may not happen this year. Temperatures have been running behind so there is still hope.
November 10
This week morning surface water temperatures shot up to about 69 or 70 degrees inshore in Murrells Inlet but very soon they will drop.
The trout action is definitely starting to improve, and Captain Tom Cushman of Cush’s Calmwater Charters (843-997-5850) reports that he is catching more trout this week than last. They are around oysters and in the middle of creeks, and while you can catch them on artificials drifting live shrimp is hard to beat.
However, for now they are still mostly the 14- and 15-inch resident fish and not the monsters that will show up soon.
It’s still redfish time on the south end of the Grand Strand, and there continues to be a good bite for reds in the 14-26 inch range. They are schooled up the best around docks and oysters.
Live shrimp, cut shrimp, live mullet and cut mullet will all catch fish.
There are still plenty of good flounder around, but this cold snap is likely to run most of them off for the season.
Spot and croaker are still running inside the inlet.
In addition to the 1-2 pound bluefish that were complicating the bull drum fishing at the jetties last week, this week the wind has been another impediment.
When conditions allow the best set-up is a Carolina rig fished on the bottom. Use just enough weight to hold the bottom and concentrate on current seams and ambush spots. The last third of the jetties on both sides are often the best.
Wind has also made nearshore fishing impossible, but there should be some big flounder, reds and trout out there when the seas lay down.
November 4
Morning surface water temperatures are about 65 degrees inshore in Murrells Inlet and there is still a lot of bait around.
It’s redfish time on the south end of the Grand Strand, and Captain Tom Cushman of Cush’s Calmwater Charters ( 843-997-5850) reports that as recently as yesterday on the water he has found a good bite for reds in the 14-26 inch range. The fish were a little spotty and not as thick as they can be, but he found them schooled up the best around docks and also a few around oysters.
The biggest fish was alone, which will be less likely once temperatures drop.
Live shrimp, cut shrimp, live mullet and cut mullet all caught fish.
The trout are still a little spotty, but the more time you spend drifting live shrimp the more likely you are to catch them. Yesterday Tom had one good one but spent more time targeting reds – drifting the banks with live shrimp under a cork would certainly have caught more. But when they get hot you will know because you barely have to try to catch them!
There should certainly be flounder around still, but Tom hasn’t caught many keepers in the last few days. Overall he’s caught plenty of 20 plus inch fish this year, but he does worry that the giggers are getting the biggest ones.
Spot and croaker seem to be running inside the inlet.
Even though it’s been a slow season so far for big drum at the jetties, right now it’s almost impossible to fish for them because the jetties are so covered up in 1-2 pound bluefish. They will destroy mullet baits before anything else can get a look at them. When you can get a bait down fish it on a Carolina rig fished on the bottom. Use just enough weight to hold the bottom and concentrate on current seams and ambush spots. The last third of the jetties on both sides are often the best.
Yesterday Tom was loaded up with 5-8 mullet and excited to make the ride out to some nearshore structure, but when the wind got up this wasn’t possible. However, there should be some big flounder, reds and trout out there when the seas lay down.
October 27
It’s been a very, very long time since we have brought readers a new report for the southern end of the Grand Strand, but we are very pleased to have Captain Tom Cushman of Cush’s Calmwater Charters joining us. Tom has been a fishing captain for 30 plus years, and he’s been guiding around Myrtle Beach for more than 20 years. For a while now he has been fishing mostly of Murrells Inlet. He can be reached at 843-997-5850 to book a charter.
As for the fish, Captain Tom notices that things have been running a little later in recent years, and the good news is that the best fall bite is extending further into the season. Flounder are about the best thing going right now, and most of the fish that were here in the summer are still inshore. At the end of outgoing tide last week they found fish stacked up at the mouth of a creek in just 10-12 inches of water, and they were able to catch a bushel of 12-17 inch fish just sight-casting when they saw plumes of mud.
In general the fish are biting the best on slow- to moderately-moving tides in either direction. They are catching plenty of fish on a variety of artificials, but mud minnows and finger mullet will also work. There are good number of big fish around and they have had plenty of 20 inchers.
This should be peak time for the redfish, but for some reason things are slow getting going this year. Fish are spotty, and you might find a good group of fish one day and then lose them for a week. Once the temperatures drop then fish should school up tighter and be easier to find.
Mullet and live shrimp are both good baits, but there are still a ton of pinfish and croaker around so shrimp can be frustrating to fish. A number of different artificials are also working.
This should also be a good time for bull red drum at the jetties, but they have been surprisingly slow. In general they have also been smaller than expected, usually 27-34 inches instead of 37-45 inches. They did get one over 50 pounds. When temperatures drop it will be interesting to see if the bite finally heats up.
Live finger mullet, menhaden and even shrimp will all work on a Carolina rig fished on the bottom. Use just enough weight to hold the bottom and concentrate on current seams and ambush spots. However, the last third of the jetties on both sides are often the best.
Like the reds the trout have not really turned on yet, but in the next week or two Captain Tom expects the action to get good in the creeks. Vudu shrimp (or other shrimp imitations) work well, but live shrimp is hard to beat when you can get it.
Finally, this should be a really good time at the nearshore reefs to catch flounder, and some big reds should also make an appearance. However, the well-known artificial reefs are seeing more pressure than usual recently.
We will do our best to not have an interruption in service for this area report again.
June 28
Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-80s in Murrells Inlet. Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live shrimp, usually fiddler crabs (call to confirm), fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits including frozen sand fleas. Live finger mullet will be stocked within days.
With no rain most of the trout and redfish have gone down the river system and/or into the Georgetown area, and inshore the flounder bite is definitely the best thing going in the Murrells Inlet area. In the Rotary Tournament two weekends ago Captain Jay Baisch reports that a lot of fish were caught but the biggest was only 4 ½ pounds. His wife Kelly, the defending champion, caught 50 or 60 fish but only 7 keepers. Those numbers are atypically high but the percentage of fish over 16 inches is about right.
It continues to be a good mullet bite, and outside of early morning you generally need to fish deeper.
The other good action inshore is for sheepshead, and at the jetties they are biting well. Fiddler crabs are the ticket.
Recently they have had a lot of good clean water, and so in the surf there have been plenty of sandfleas and some nice pompano have been caught. Whiting and croaker have also been prolific. Some Spanish mackerel have been caught trolling the beaches but for 2 or 3 weeks now the kings have been absent.
The nearshore reefs are holding some fish but nothing crazy, and they are picking up flounder and there are some spadefish around.
Probably the hottest bite is bottom fishing, and anywhere over 60 feet you will catch genuine red snapper. However, to get out into the triggerfish, snapper you can keep and more you need to go to 120 feet.
In the Gulf Stream fishing is pretty slow and there are mostly sailfish around. However, one of Jay’s friends trolled all day and had one bite from a sailfish. Between the price of gas and the quality of the bite it’s hardly worth trolling the break.
June 17
Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-80s in Murrells Inlet. Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live shrimp, fiddler crabs (some days – call to check), fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits including frozen sand fleas. Very soon they will have live finger mullet.
The big Murrells Inlet Rotary Club flounder tournament is coming up tomorrow, and Captain Jay Baisch reports that even though they still aren’t prolific enough that he can catch enough to sell in the store it’s easy to get a few finger mullet for personal use. That’s important because the flounder seem to be switching over to a mullet bite.
Even though the bite has slowed a bit with the heat they expect some good fish to be caught (and released) this weekend, and early and late you can still catch flounder in the shallows. During the day you have to fish deeper.
Trout are still basically non-existent right now but there are some redfish being caught around oysters and points. With pinfish pretty bad you need to use cut mullet or mud minnows as shrimp will get picked to death.
In the surf there have been some nice pompano caught and the whiting fishing has also been pretty good. Not many drum have showed up in the surf yet but off the piers there has been good action for Spanish and blues.
At the jetties the sheepshead fishing has been really good with barnacles or fiddler crabs.
The nearshore reefs are alive with activity right now, and in addition to good numbers of flounder the Spanish and king mackerel are abundant.
Bottom fishing has been good for snapper and grouper.
In the Gulf Stream dolphin fishing has slowed down but throughout the summer you can pick up some scattered dolphin, wahoo and tuna. The bluewater fishing is unlikely to get hot again until the fall.
June 10
Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 80s in Murrells Inlet. Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live shrimp, fiddler crabs (some days – call to check), fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits including frozen sand fleas.
While the flounder fishing is still about the best thing going inshore, Captain Jay Baisch reports that the spring bite is starting to slow down as it gets warmer. Early and late you can still catch flounder in the shallows, but if you are fishing while the sun is beating down the key to catching them is basically to fish deeper. Mullet are still too small to put on a hook and so mud minnows are the bait of choice.
Trout are basically non-existent right now but there are some redfish being caught around oysters and points. With pinfish pretty bad you need to use cut mullet or mud minnows as shrimp will get picked to death.
In the surf there have been some nice pompano caught and the whiting fishing has also been pretty good. Not many drum have showed up in the surf yet but off the piers there has been good action for Spanish and blues.
At the jetties the sheepshead fishing has been really good with barnacles or fiddler crabs.
The nearshore reefs are alive with activity right now, and in addition to good numbers of flounder the Spanish and king mackerel are abundant.
Bottom fishing has been pretty good for snapper and group, and Jay has been having a lot of fun going out to 600 feet and deep dropping for snowy grouper, tilefish and more. It’s a specialized fishery that is available year-round.
In the Gulf Stream dolphin fishing has slowed down but throughout the summer you can pick up some scattered dolphin, wahoo and tuna. The bluewater fishing is unlikely to get hot again until the fall.
May 19
Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-70s in Murrells Inlet. Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live shrimp, fiddler crabs (some days – call to check), crappie shiners, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits including frozen sand fleas.
You still have to weed through a bunch of small ones, but Captain Jay Baisch reports that the flounder fishing inshore is still good and there are plenty of keeper fish around. With the mullet not quite big enough for bait it’s mostly a mud minnow bite, but shrimp are now abundant and they have also been working really well. Live shrimp are king but some of the imitation baits like Vudu Shrimp are also working.
Jay has not heard of a trout caught for over two weeks, and a very few redfish but more black drum have been caught recently. They are biting fresh cut shrimp in currents inside the creeks as well as at the rocks. But the best bite at the jetties has been for sheepshead, and Jay reports that some impressive limits of big sheepshead have been caught after scraping barnacles to chum. They have fiddler crabs at the store some days.
In the surf sand fleas have showed up and there are some good pompano around, and the there are also a lot of nice whiting right now. There is also still a pretty good spring run of bluefish.
At the nearshore reefs Spanish mackerel and bluefish are abundant, and in 40-80 feet of water there are a ton of king mackerel. They are being caught trolling live menhaden or dead cigar minnows. There has not been a much of a cobia run in their area but one or two fish have been caught way offshore.
Bottom fishing is good in 110 to 140 feet.
The most exciting fishing has been in the bluewater zone, and plenty of people are catching boxes of 25-30 dolphin. There are also a ton of tuna offshore, and one trip three days ago Jay caught 15 tuna to go with a decent number of dolphin. The best action is about 65 miles offshore.
May 4
Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 70s in Murrells Inlet. Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live mullet, fiddler crabs (some days – call to check), crappie shiners, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits including frozen sand fleas.
There’s a lot of good flounder fishing inshore right now, and Captain Jay Baisch reports that in the recent live release tournament a 7-poounder won and there were a bunch of fish in the 3-5 pound range caught. It’s too early to say if this indicates improvement in the fishery, but there is definitely a good run of them right now. The winning fish was caught on a mud minnow fished on a red jighead by a boat at anchor bouncing it on the bottom, and you can pretty much target them however you prefer right now.
While there are not a lot of redfish and trout being caught inshore at the moment, on windy days when the water gets muddy the black drum fishing has been really good on cut shrimp. They are also catching them at low tide around the rocks at the jetties.
Sheepshead have also returned inshore and they are eating fiddler crabs around the jetties.
Even though the sand fleas are not big enough for bait yet they are starting to catch pompano on the beaches with shrimp, and the same bait is also picking up lots of whiting. There is also a pretty good spring run of bluefish.
Grouper season opened on May 1 and they are getting some good ones in 100 feet of water, but the hottest bite along the coast has been for dolphin. The shallowest fish are in 120 feet of water but the biggest ones are at the break and deeper. Weather has been the only limiting factor on catches (as well as the price of gas).
There are still some blackfin tuna around and there may be some yellowfin in May, but even though they are still catching wahoo it’s mostly smaller weehoo now.
April 21
Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-60s in Murrells Inlet. Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live mullet, fiddler crabs (some days – call to check), crappie shiners, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits including frozen sand fleas.
With water temperatures creeping up the flounder have really arrived inshore, and Captain Jay Baisch reports that pretty much everyone is catching good numbers of flounder inshore. The problem, of course, is getting good ones – but the fish seem to be about everywhere inshore. Mud minnows on a jighead have been working for Captain Jay.
Trout and redfish have been very slow, but particularly on muddy, windy days black drum provide a very good option. They have made their way back in from the reefs and on low tide you can catch them in areas where there is turbulence and some structure. There are not a lot of pinfish around right now and so you can easily fish cut shrimp for them.
The nearshore reefs and jetties are covered up with Spanish mackerel, and the fishing has been outstanding trolling Clarks Spoons on planer boards or jigging with jigfish. They are also having no trouble getting one weakfish per person on jigs, although they will eat most anything from mud minnows to mullet strips to artificials including everything from vertical jigs to swimbaits. There are also tons of bluefish around in the foot range.
While the bigger sea bass are starting to leave bottom fishing for in 80-90 feet has been strong. Grouper season will open soon.
There has been some outstanding offshore fishing for wahoo and tuna fishing when anglers can get out to the Gulf Stream.
April 8
Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 60s in Murrells Inlet and the water is still very clear. Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live mullet, fiddler crabs (some days – call to check), crappie shiners, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits including frozen sand fleas.
A week later and things are about where they should be a week further along in Murrells Inlet, with Captain Jay Baisch reporting that more flounder are showing up each day. There have actually been a few keeper flounder caught this week, although of course the vast majority of the fish are small. Mud minnows have been working the best.
Little bluefish are also still everywhere, but there have been no reports of trout this week. A few redfish have been caught. We should be getting close to final days of the “snot grass” in the area this year which will make fishing much more pleasant.
The black drum and sheepshead have left the reefs and started to make their way back inshore, but there is still no word that they have showed up at the jetties. Bad weather has limited fishing but they should be around any day now.
The Spanish mackerel have definitely arrived at the jetties, and they are being caught trolling spoons with #1 planer boards on the incoming tide. The same pattern should work at the 3-Mile Reef.
No one has been able to get offshore this week, but the weakfish are almost certainly still around at the reefs. They have been particularly large this year. They will eat most anything from mud minnows to mullet strips to artificials including everything from vertical jigs to swimbaits.
Subject to the same weather limitations, bottom fishing for black sea bass starts in 60-70 feet while from 80-90 feet the triggerfish, porgies, snapper and more can be found.
With water temperatures offshore hitting 72-73 degrees the Gulf Stream should start producing dolphin very soon. Wahoo and blackfin tuna fishing has been pretty good when people can get out.
April 1
Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 60s in Murrells Inlet and the water is still very clear. Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live mullet, fiddler crabs (some days – call to check), crappie shiners, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits including frozen sand fleas.
Inshore fishing is starting to pick up around Murrells Inlet, and Captain Jay Baisch reports that the first flounder are just starting to show up again. Tons of small bluefish have also moved into the area, and there are still some trout and redfish around. With the need to cover water and all the “snot grass” in the area, which should last about two more weeks, artificial lures are frequently the best way to catch fish although mud minnows and finger mullet will both work.
The black drum and sheepshead have left the offshore reefs and started to make their way back inshore, and based on their trajectory they should have showed up at the jetties this week. Extremely windy conditions have limited information but if they are not there now they will be in the next few days.
The Spanish mackerel have definitely arrived at the jetties, and they are being caught trolling spoons with #1 planer boards on the incoming tide. The same pattern is working at the 3-Mile Reef.
The weakfish are also around at the reefs, and Jay has seen multiple 4-5 pounders caught. They will eat most anything from mud minnows to mullet strips to artificials including everything from vertical jigs to swimbaits.
Bottom fishing for black sea bass starts in 60-70 feet while from 80-90 feet the triggerfish, porgies, snapper and more can be found. Fishing is about normal.
With water temperatures offshore hitting 72-73 degrees the Gulf Stream should start producing dolphin very soon. Wahoo and blackfin tuna fishing has been pretty good.
March 17
Morning surface water temperatures are around 60 degrees in Murrells Inlet.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live mullet, crappie shiners, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits including frozen sand fleas.
There’s a glimmer of activity with the inshore fishing around Murrells Inlet, and Captain Jay Baisch reports that along with a few black drum, redfish (more in Georgetown) and the occasional trout the first undersized flounder of the year are starting to make their way back inshore. There are also some good whiting in the surf.
There are also a few sheepshead and black drum showing up at the jetties, but the bad news is that as they are leaving the nearshore reefs with the spawn winding down most of the fish are somewhere in-between in transition. You can still catch some at the reefs, but mostly the small black sea bass have taken them over. Any minute now weakfish should appear, with bluefish and Spanish mackerel right behind them.
Bottom fishing, in 80-90 feet the better black sea bass can be caught and the action is really good. In 90-120 feet the triggerfish and snapper are hot.
Out in the Gulf Stream the offshore fishing has been pretty good, including some big wahoo and blackfin tuna. The blackfin tuna pictured below very briefly led the standings.
February 17
Morning surface water temperatures are around 48-50 degrees in Murrells Inlet.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live mullet, live shiners (for crappie), fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits including frozen sand fleas.
Inshore fishing remains brutally tough around Murrells Inlet, and Captain Jay Baisch reports that there’s just not much action. A couple of guys trolling Mirrolures are picking up the occasional trout, but other than that there just isn’t much available. Redfish have been almost non-existent inshore, and the jetties are only holding very occasional trout, black drum and sheepshead.
In the surf there are only a few whiting.
The reason the black drum and sheepshead are unavailable inshore is because they have all headed to the nearshore reefs, and in 30-50 feet the bite is very good for both species. With a true winter this year fiddler crabs are almost impossible to get, but clams and frozen sand fleas are both working.
There is also some excellent black sea bass fishing in 60-90 feet of water, and for some reason this year there are bigger sea bass around than they have had in years. Out in 100-120 feet the bottom fishing for snapper, triggerfish, and grouper (before too long the season will open) is really good.
In the Gulf Stream there is a good wahoo and blackfin tuna bite.
January 20
Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 40s in Murrells Inlet.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits.
Inshore fishing remains slow around Murrells Inlet, and Captain Jay Baisch reports that there are just a few spots where the trout are being caught right now. The best reports he has heard have come trolling lures.
Redfish, black drum and sheepshead reports have been close to non-existent, but any day now the sheepshead should start to spawn offshore.
The most exciting bites are still further offshore, and in 40-60 feet of water the black sea bass are biting really well. You can catch sea bass as well as other bottom fish out to 150 feet of water.
In the Gulf Stream wahoo and blackfin tuna are around, and there are occasional dolphin and yellowfin tuna also being caught.
Captain Jay also notes that with nice low tides recently, the conditions for collecting clams and oysters have been excellent!
January 6
Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s in Murrells Inlet.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits.
Inshore fishing is a little slow around Murrells Inlet, and Captain Jay Baisch reports that there are just a few spots where the trout are coming. Very few fish are in the creeks and you basically have to sit at the rocks in a handful of locations and float live shrimp to catch them. Because so few people are targeting them Baisch Boys is not carrying live shrimp right now. The action for black drum and redfish may be a little better, but again the catches are only sporadic. Fresh cut shrimp will work.
There are starting to be some sheepshead at the nearshore reefs, but right now most of them are still in transit between inshore and offshore. Very soon they should arrive now that temperatures are really dipping.
The most exciting bites are further offshore, and in 40-60 feet of water the black sea bass are biting really well. You can catch sea bass as well as other bottom fish out to 150 feet of water.
In the Gulf Stream wahoo and blackfin tuna are around, and there are occasional dolphin and yellowfin tuna also being caught.
December 22
Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s in Murrells Inlet.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits.
There’s not a lot of change in the inshore action on the south end of the Grand Strand, and the real fun right now is offshore. Starting with the bottom fishing, there is certainly some good fishing for species like gag grouper closer in but the best fishing is out in 100-150 feet.
Meanwhile, out in 160-200 feet of water the wahoo and blackfin tuna have been very strong.
While you can find photos of good limits of trout caught, Captain Jay Baisch reports that there are just a few spots at the jetties where those numbers are coming. Very few fish are in the creeks and you basically have to sit at the rocks in a handful of locations and float live shrimp to catch them. Because so few people are targeting them Baisch Boys is not carrying live shrimp right now.
The fishing for redfish is decent, but they are not catching a ton. They are also picking up a few flounder but predictably most of them are undersized.
There are some black drum in the creeks that will take fresh cut shrimp, and they are also hanging around the jetties. A few could be in the surf. But the best place to catch black drum is at the 3-Mile Reef at night.
There are a few smaller sheepshead hanging around at the jetties as well.
There are a few whiting in the surf.
December 16
Morning surface water temperatures are around 57 degrees in Murrells Inlet.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits.
The trout fishing has slowed down on the south end of the Grand Strand, and Captain Jay Baisch reports that while there are a few spots at the jetties where you can catch them the inshore fishing has gotten pretty tough overall. Very few fish are in the creeks and you basically have to sit at the rocks in a handful of locations and float live shrimp to catch them. Because so few people are targeting them Baisch Boys is not carrying live shrimp right now.
The fishing for redfish is decent, but they are not catching a ton. They are also picking up a few flounder but predictably most of them are undersized.
There are some black drum in the creeks that will take fresh cut shrimp, and they are also hanging around the jetties. A few could be in the surf. But the best place to catch black drum is at the 3-Mile Reef at night.
There are a few smaller sheepshead hanging around at the jetties as well, but at the mouths of the rivers there have been some reports of sheepshead caught on fresh cut shrimp fished on the bottom. Jay has seen the fish and they were big ones!
There are a few whiting in the surf.
Any structure in 40 plus feet of water could hold keeper black sea bass, but at places like the 10-Mile Reef you have to weed through lot of small ones.
Offshore the fishing for wahoo and blackfin tuna has been strong.
November 19
Morning surface water temperatures are around 56 degrees in Murrells Inlet.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live finger mullet, live shrimp, blood worms, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits.
The fishing is still wide open on the south end of the Grand Strand, and Captain J. Baisch reports that the bite is still all about live shrimp. Trout in particular are still biting really well, and floating live shrimp 5-6 feet under a slip float rig has been extremely productive. Moving tides are key. The biggest trout are at the jetties right now and on the same rig good fish can be also caught on the insides.
It’s a similar report for the redfish, and in the creeks the action for slot-sized fish has been really good. Once again live shrimp have been the key. As with the trout there are some bigger fish that can be caught out at the tips of the jetties, but the bulls are pretty much gone.
Even though it’s getting close to winding down flounder fishing is still really good, and Captain J. has had several more customers catch 15 plus fish this week. The keeper ratio is unchanged from last week. The best fishing is still coming casting mullet or mud minnows on a jighead or Carolina rig.
Black drum and sheepshead are both still stacked up at the jetties.
In the surf the bull whiting are around, but with everything migrating right now you could catch anything from flounder to trout to redfish there as well.
Since the Spanish mackerel and kings have moved on the 20-60 foot range is pretty dead, but out in 100 feet there continues to be really good bottom fishing.
The bluewater fishing has also come on this week, and on a trip earlier this week Captain Jay caught three big 60 plus pound wahoo as well as eight blackfin tuna.
November 12
Morning surface water temperatures are around 60 degrees in Murrells Inlet.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live finger mullet, live shrimp, blood worms, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits.
A few days ago everything turned on at the south end of the Grand Strand, and Captain J. Baisch reports that this week they have been killing the fish with live shrimp. Trout in particular are biting really well, and floating live shrimp 5-6 feet under a slip float rig has been extremely productive. Moving tides are key. The biggest trout are at the jetties right now and on the same rig good fish can be caught on the insides.
It’s a similar report for the redfish, and in the creeks the action for slot-sized fish has been really good. Once again live shrimp have been the key. As with the trout there are some bigger fish that can be caught out at the tips of the jetties, but the bulls are pretty much gone.
Even though it’s getting close to winding down flounder fishing is still really good, and Captain J. had a customer catch 27 with 7 keepers this week. The best fishing is still coming casting mullet or mud minnows on a jighead or Carolina rig.
Black drum and sheepshead are both still stacked up at the jetties.
In the surf the bull whiting are around, but with everything migrating right now you could catch anything from flounder to trout to redfish there as well.
Since the Spanish mackerel and kings have moved on the 20-60 foot range is pretty dead, but out in 100 feet there continues to be really good bottom fishing.
November 4
Morning surface water temperatures are around 67 degrees in Murrells Inlet.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live finger mullet, live shrimp, live fiddler crabs (usually), blood worms, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits.
The trout fishing is starting to pick up around Murrells Inlet, and even though the pinfish are still a bit of a pain the best action is starting to come drifting live shrimp over oysters on higher water that is either coming in or going out. While this cold front will make for less pleasant fishing conditions, if it runs off some of the pinfish it will be much appreciated!
The flounder fishing has been really good, particularly on the incoming tide but also on the outgoing tide close to low water. The best fishing is coming casting mullet or mud minnows on a jighead or Carolina rig.
While the inshore action for redfish has not been great, they are moving around and starting to group up – and so if you do get on them your chances of catching several are going up. There are plenty of reds out at the tips of the jetties, although most of them are over the slot. Black drum are extremely stacked up at the jetties, and if you target them at night you can slay them. There are also plenty of sheepshead at the jetties but finding fiddler crabs is getting harder and harder.
There is also still some pretty good surf fishing, with black drum, occasional flounder, whiting, croaker and some spotbeing caught on blood worms.
Nearshore there have been some really good catches of king mackerel in 40-50 feet, although the fear is that the windy cold front will push them away.
Bottom fishing has been outstanding in 110 feet, and the last time out Captain J. caught a bunch of strawberry grouper, rock hinds, triggerfish, white grunt, beeliners, vermillion snapper, genuine reds (that had to be released), and even some small dolphin.
There has also been some excellent wahoo fishing, including a 112-pound fish caught recently on the boat with Captain Jay Sconyers.
Finally, our apologies for the long hiatus in this fishing report, which was the fault of our site, not the guides. We will do our best not to let it happen again.
October 7
Morning surface water temperatures are around 78 degrees in Murrells Inlet.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live finger mullet, live shrimp, live fiddler crabs (usually), blood worms, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits.
Last week Captain Jay Baisch reported that at the tip of the jetties there were a lot of redfish being following the mullet running down the beaches, and this week the bull red drum have also showed up there for the same reason. Even though you have to weed through sharks they can be caught on live and cut mullet or menhaden. You can also catch some big reds in the surf, but there the sharks are far more numerous.
There are also still plenty of blues and Spanish mackerel in the surf and out at the jetties which can be caught on live finger mullet or heavy casting jigs, and up the beach at the rock piles off Surfside there are still lots of big weakfish that can be caught fishing vertically with cut mullet. However, the wind has been so bad that it’s been really hard to get out in the ocean. Big whiting should still be in the same area.
When the water clears up again there should also still be some good pompano in the surf.
Inshore there are a few trout being caught, but the pinfish are still so bad that you really have to target them with artificial lures like DOA shrimp. Plenty of small redfish are also present in the creeks, and it’s about the same story for flounder – lots of small ones but very rare keepers.
When the winds lay down again there should still be plenty of Spanish at the nearshore reefs which can be caught flipping live finger mullet or trolling spoons, and hopefully the king mackerel will show up.
When you can get out trolling in the bluewater zone is very slow right now, and most of the better bottom fishing is in very deep water. Although there are a few in about 60 feet, most keeper black sea bass and vermillion snapper are out in 100 plus feet of water, and the scamp grouper are in 140-160 on the edge of the ledge.
September 29
Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 70s around Murrells Inlet.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live finger mullet, live shrimp, live fiddler crabs (usually), blood worms, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits.
There is a still a wide-open mullet run down the beaches, and as a result Captain Jay Baisch reports that at the tip of the jetties there are a lot of redfish being caught. There are also plenty of blues and Spanish mackerel in the surf and out at the jetties which can be caught on live finger mullet or heavy casting jigs, and up the beach at the rock piles off Surfside they are still catching lots of big weakfish fishing vertically with cut mullet. There are also some really big whitingbeing landed in the same area.
When the water is calm and the ocean clear some good pompano are also in the surf.
Inshore there are a few trout being caught, but because of all the pinfish they are still really hard to target with live shrimp. Plenty of small redfish are also present in the creeks, and it’s about the same story for flounder – lots of small ones but very rare keepers.
At the nearshore reefs there are also good numbers of Spanish which can be caught flipping live finger mullet or trolling spoons, but for some reason the king mackerel are still nowhere to be found.
Trolling in the bluewater zone is very slow right now, and most of the better bottom fishing is in very deep water. Keeper black sea bass and vermillion snapper are out in 100 plus feet of water, and the scamp grouper are in 140-160 on the edge of the ledge. Only the gag grouper are in about 60 feet of water spawning and there are not huge numbers of them.
September 17
Morning surface water temperatures have dropped into the upper 70s around Murrells Inlet.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live finger mullet, live shrimp, fiddler crabs, sand fleas, blood worms, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits.
Water temperatures are still pretty warm, but Captain Jay Baisch reports that they have dropped enough for the fall bite to really start to turn on. Perhaps the most exciting action in the area can be found at the Murrells Inlet jetties, and as the mullet migrate south Spanish mackerel and bluefish are sitting at the tips of the jetties and smoking them. Live finger mullet will obviously work but any heavy casting jig is also very good. There are also bull red drum sitting at the tips of the jetties which will eat mullet.
A few redfish and trout are also being caught inshore, but anglers are not targeting them too heavily right now. While there are plenty of shrimp around the pinfish are still so thick that floating live shrimp is basically out of the question.
In the last week there has been a very good flounder bite in the creeks, and anglers drifting or casting live finger mullet on a jig or Carolina rig are doing very well. A bunch of 5-7 pound fish have been caught.
In the surf whiting and pompano are pretty thick, with fresh, head-on shrimp the best bait for pompano if you can’t get sand fleas.
At the rock piles off of Surfside weakfish are starting to show up in good numbers and there are also a lot of bull drum around.
For some reason there are not many king mackerel around right now, but with lots of bait around they should return any minute.
The offshore fishing has been a little hit-or-miss, but there have been some good wahoo caught early in the morning. After that bottom fishing in 120 feet has been the best although there are some gag grouper in about 60 feet. 80-90 feet is eaten up with red snapper.
