Nov. 16, 2009
Saltwater Fishing Trends:

Fishing trends courtesy www.SCFishingReport.com. Check the site for recent updates and detailed reports.

Little River

Inshore: Captain Michael Rutenberg reports that big red drum are being found at the Little River Jetties and can be caught on cut bait fished on a stout Carolina rig. Trout are moving back into the IntraCoastal Waterway and striper should show up in the brackish waters soon. Spots are in the marshes in good numbers.
Cherry Grove Pier: The sheepshead bite off the pier has slowed down and small flounder, bluefish and whiting are making up the bulk of the catch.

Grand Strand

Spottail Bass: Very good. Perry’s Bait and Tackle reports that nice catches of slot sized red drum and short fish in the 13 inch range continue to be made in the creeks. Finger mullet continue to be the bait. On low tide fish can be found on creek edges and patrolling around oyster rakes; on higher tides the fish will move alongside and then into the grass. Bigger fish can be found in the surf and around the jetties.
Spotted Sea Trout: Very good. Perry’s reports that stable temperatures have made for a hot trout bite. Look in Murrells Inlet area creeks and the creeks behind Pawley’s Island and fish in holes at lower stages of the tide and along the grass on higher tides. Fish are also being caught off the Second Avenue Pier in Myrtle Beach.
Sheepshead and Black Drum: Very good. Sheepshead and black drum are biting very well at the jetties and around most any inshore structure. Black drum are also being caught in good numbers in deep holes in the creek. Use fiddler crabs or shrimp.
Flounder: Good. After a slow early fall the flounder bite continues to be strong. In the creeks, off the beach and around jetties the fish have turned on. Pulling live mud minnows or finger mullet on the bottom, particularly around structure with moving water, will catch fish.

Charleston

Trout: Excellent. Haddrell’s Point reports that trout action is “on fire” and early in the morning fishing with topwater lures like Super Spook Juniors or Bomber Pop N Minnows is catching both quality fish and good numbers. After the sun gets up fishing DOA shrimp under a rattling cork will work. Fish in 3-7 feet of water along shell rakes and points in the rivers and estuaries. Most anglers have moved from live bait to artificial lures.
Spottail Bass: Very good. Haddrell’s Point reports that lots of 13-15 inch redfish are schooling around rock piles and deeper water structure. In the surf around Bulls Island, Cape Romain and the northern end of Folly Beach some very large drum have been caught. Cut mullet or half blue crabs are good bait.
Sheepshead: Very good. Haddrell’s Point reports that sheepshead are feeding better and better as fish congregate before heading offshore for the winter. Fish any heavy structure near deep water with fiddler crabs or live shrimp under a float.
Folly Beach Pier: The pier reports that fishing has been slow although spot and a few bluefish have been caught.

Beaufort

Bull red drum: Excellent. Captain Dan “Fishin’ Coach” Utley and Captain Brian Vaughn report the bite for bull red drums 30 pounds or more has been outstanding. Fish can be found around the rock piles off Bay Point and they have also moved into the sounds and sandbars right off the beach. Use cut mullet on stout Carolina rigs and 12/0 to 15/0 circle hooks.
Spottail Bass: Very good. Bay Street Outfitters reports that the best redfish bite has been around low tide in skinny water where redfish are chasing shrimp and baitfish. Look for shallow areas where gulls, herons and egrets are lurking and expect to find spottail bass.
Trout: Very good. Fishing live or DOA shrimp under a popping cork near grass on higher tides with a little movement has been very productive. On low tides fish the popping cork off the edges where fish will be holding. Bouncing a jighead baited with Gulp! is also productive; these lures can also be trolled. Some topwater action has been reported on Zara Spooks early in the morning.
Paradise Pier: Whiting, a few sheepshead and little sharks are being caught.