Myrtle Beach Area Fishing Report - April 2013

We've had less than ideal weather conditions here in Myrtle Beach SC but between the rainy and windy days, the fishing has been exceptional. Good numbers of trout are being caught in the Winyah Bay area, probably one of the best spring bites I've seen in a few years. Most of the trout we're catching are averaging in the 2-3 pound range which is a great sign that we'll have a good recruitment class of younger trout this year. We're finding the speckled trout around the usual spots in Winyah Bay which include oyster points, deep drop offs, and structure. The Mirro-O-Lure mr-52 has been great, as well as various top-water plugs, DOA shrimp, and Hogy Lures.

Flounder fishing has really picked up as they move back into the estuaries from the ocean. Most of the early flounder we're catching are just below the legal size of 14in which is typical for April, however there are still some nice doormat flounder mixed in with the little guys. Slow rolling grubs and live minnows are working great for flounder in Little River, Murrells Inlet and other areas south of Myrtle Beach.

Redfishing has been fantastic and we've even had a few tailing tides where we've found some very active tailing fish. Sightfishing with fly rods or light spinning outfits for accurate casting will entice a hungry tailing redfish. Fly Fisherman should choose an 8wt outfit with a WF floating line, and weedless flies that mimic a small crab, shrimp, or baitfish. For the conventional fisherman, a spinning outfit with at least 3ft of 20lb floro leader, weedless baits like flukes, Hogy Lures, and Gulps will work great on the flooded grass flats around Myrtle Beach.

"Doormat" Flounder

Flounder bite is getting better by the day! Still a lot of short fish around but some nice ones are mixed in with them. Josh Horton from Pawleys Island Outdoors caught this doormat while trolling a mudminnow on the bottom, fishing just south of Myrtle Beach, . The flounder taped out at 25in and weighed almost 6 pounds.  

Surf Fishing - Nov 2012

I recently had the pleasure of fishing with my good friend Adam Metts who I hadn't fished with in many years. Adam has always enjoyed surf fishing in South Carolina so we decided to make the run out to one of the barrier islands south of Myrtle Beach to spend the day targeting redfish. Using fresh caught mullet as bait, we arrived at our chosen destination late in the falling tide.  Action was steady until the tide bottomed out and began to rise, that's when the bite really kicked into high gear. As fresh ocean water began to cover the sandbar, edger redfish ranging from 10-30lbs advanced to feed on confused baitfish flushed around by the rising tide. Rods stayed doubled over for the next 45 mins until we were forced to retreat back to the boat and head home.


Here is Adam with his personal best - 42in Redfish..
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Excellent Tarpon Fishing in Myrtle Beach SC - Oct 2012

Tarpon fishing has been excellent this year, big schools of fish are beginning their annual migration back south. We've been finding tarpon feeding on schools of mullet along the beaches south of Myrtle Beach and catching them on plugs and live baits with mullet being the bait of choice. It doesnt get much better than watching a feeding frenzy of 50+ tarpon crashing bait only feet from the boat, even better when you get tight with one.

Here are a few pictures from the last couple of trips...

 

If you have any interest in booking a tarpon fishing charter in the Myrtle Beach area, please contact us...  captjordan@carolinaguideservice.com

Here is a helpful website with lodging options in Myrtle Beach www.myrtlebeach.com/hotels

Hope to see you on the water soon. 

Capt. Jordan Pate

Sightfishing for Tailing Redfish - July 2012

Lots of tailing action on the grass flats this month... Sightfishing at its best!