Had just a super day. Great Fall temps make for pleasant fishing. We first hooked up to a small redfish and then a black drum.  Moved to the next spot and hammered a few specks on artificials.  Moved out to the Inlet and hooked a Large Drum that got away. Landed a smaller drum and a few Gray trout. That's it in a nut shell.

Sept. 29 " Big Drum"

Today we made a trip out to the Little River Jetties and got hooked up on the first drop. What a smoker we had. The battle took us all the way out to the sea buoy. Live Menhaden also known as pogey's seem to be what the fish were after. Looks like  the start of a great Fall this year. Come on out and enjoy this exciting fishery.

Sept. 23 "Trout Bite"

August 21 2008 "Tropical Storm Fay"

Kind of a challenge today with super windy conditions. We started at 6:30 am and caught a livewell full of shrimp. Set up on our first spot and nailed a spot tail  bass on the first cast. We hung around for awhile a caught a few more reds and a black drum before we moved on. I have started doing some research again will the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Taking samples of Red Drum. I feel sure the reds we caught were released fish and is proof the program works. The wind really started to get up around 8:30 and fishing was getting blown out. We made the best of the situation and fished for Croakers and had enough for a fish dinner. Looks like the wind will blow again tomorrow and  this little tropical storm should fade away soon.

August 13 2008
The bite is on. The past week of fishing has been some of the best of the summer. Redfish in the shallows seem to be at all the right spots when you time the tide. Live shrimp and finger mullet fished on ultra light tackle is a super fun way to catch these fish. I had a family that had just decided to take up fishing and I think they are hooked for life. Seeing beginners progress in only a few short hours and catch fish is very joyful to be a fishing guide. The sport of fishing is a great way to stay in touch with your family, yourself and the outdoors.

August 4 2008
Redfish and trout have been have been biting in the area creeks and inlet. Light tackle using live shrimp and mullet is your best bet for now. Berkley gulps fished slow around grass beds will catch a hungry red. Spanish sure were out at the inlet today but were tough to catch.
 

July 19 2008
Super fishing this past week. It really has been silly reeling in fish after fish on ultralight tackle. The Jetties have been producing a great trout bite bite were limits were caught. Redfish, Blues and Spanish are also lurking around. A small split shot rig really keeps your line from getting hung in the rocks. Mullet have been the key bait to use this week in the creeks and inlet. Reds are also in the super shallow areas ,were thay can be found all year. The roads less traveled are always great place to look for shallow water fish. Thanks for all your prayers this past couple of weeks for my Father. It looks like he is going to be o.k to fish another day.

June 28 2008
Just pickin at them this past week. We have had some super bites followed by a slower bite. I guess that is just fishing. I have really been using a run and gun approach lately. Its seems as if you will catch a fish on your first few cast then the fish will stop. I will change it up after a dozen or so casts and catch a fish or draw a blank. This is when I move to the next spot. I have really been into casting jerk baits by Gulp. I use a 1/4 oz head and change the colors to figure it out. Spinner baits by Betts have produced some nice trout. Oh yea, the good old Pop it Cork will produce a fish as well. Gang, I am here to tell you that plastics are a fun and functional way to catch fish in our area.


June 22 2008
Just finished a glass of wine and read Capt. Brant's fishing report of June 13 2008. That was totally solid! Check it out oifc.com Positive energy to all that fish and spread the energy!! Tight Lines
 

June 21 2008
Got it in before the storm came today. Left out at 5:30 am. Trout bite was pretty wicked at first light. Live shrimp and Halo Shrimp worked like a charm. Fished shell banks and nailed a couple of Reds before thunderstorm hit. Book your trips early before you come to the beach. Peace, Smiley
June 15 2008
Super Inshore Fishing lately. Reds are schooled up around shell beds. They are really tuned into shrimp. Berkley Gulp two inch shrimp is super effective when the Pinfish are killing your live shrimp. Give it a try. Use it like you use your live shrimp. You can jig it or pop-it on a bobber. Flounder and trout also will go for this. Jig fishing in the inshore waters is allot of fun. Give it a try!!
June 8 2008
Beware of bargain Charters. New guides in town claiming there prices are the lowest and all that sort of stuff. You know what? They don't know jack about fishing Little River. They might be able to pull it off fishing the jetties and taking you to a reef bouncing the bottom. I am a native who knows what's up. Don't be a fool. Book only native guides.
June 7 2008
All I can say is wow!! I LOVE MY JOB! Today was a guides dream. I could not fail anywhere we stopped. The secret to success is fishing the tide. Knowing when , where and tricks to get the bight will make the difference. Today the trick was Pop- It cork with live shrimp. It is simple and very effective. Take your Pop-It cork with a 2.5 ft. leader, attach a small 1/8 oz jig, Hook your shrimp through the head and Pop- It!! Do this around shell beds, deep holes and ledges. Trout and Reds at times can't stand this. The sound and splash really get's these gamefish attention. Good luck out there!!

May 26 2008
Well I Know you guys have been waiting for a fishing report from me. You have bothered me enough asking a ton of questions which is good. I had to regroup the begining of the month with a week long trip back to Panama. I guess I can't get enough of it down there. As for here , fishing is great. The trout bite is back! Super windy weather made it tough for a few weeks and I hope it will stay settled. Sunset beach Bridge and the Jetties has been the goto spots for nice trout. Mullet creek is also holding a few. D.o.a , gulps, Halo Shrimp, and live shrimp are the killers.Reds have also been biting at the jetties, Dunn sound, and the I.C.W. Had a great flounder bite in Tubbs the other day using Tiger Minnows. This is a super bait and can easily be caught in the tidal pools on Waites Island. Shrimp are starting to show up in Bonapart Creek and Dunn sound. They are small for now but in only a few weeks they will be perfect for bait. Caudle Reef has all sorts of fish for the less skillful bottom bouncer approach. Well there it is in a nutshell. It is easier for me if you book your trip online, I might be busy out fishing and sometimes it is touch for me to answer. If you call and I can't get it, leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I get back to the dock.



April 14 2008
Woke up early this morning and watched "Our Human Footprint "on" National Geographic Channel". I t is a pretty humbling show and I hope you catch it. I lived it today as well as everyday. Living in Myrtle Beach ,I guess like everywhere ,you know and meet people that don't have a clue about true reality. Well, If your one of those people or not I can show you life in America, South Carolina. IT IS SPECIAL.Tax time is tomorrow. God bless the U.S.A.Smile... ????????? IT..... LETS GO FISHIN!!!!


April 9 2008
Still just kinda pickin at the fish. We had a better trip today with a dozen or so specks with a few bluefish mixed in. Winds have lighten up a bit and fish have become more active. I keep comparing the bite of last year and it just doesn't compare. I can only hope that we can experience a mega bite soon. Ya no what "We will" and you can believe "I will be on!!"
April 3 2008
Windy and rainy conditions have made fishing tough. Winds have been 20 plus for the past few days. I have missed several charter trips due to weather lately and what few trips make it out the fishing has not been that productive. Only a few fish were caught yesterday. The trout we caught were nice fish but the bite just has not gone off yet. It looks as if the weather will start to clear this weekend and I can only hope for better fishing. I tried all sorts of different patterns yesterday. The best pattern I found that would work is a 1/32 oz. jig with small glass minnow tails. Kind of like what crappie fishermen use.


March 24 2008
Trout strokin today!! Finally after a tough fishing week the trout really came through for me today. Morning temps. were in the 40's and man it was cold getting to the fish, But they were chewing. Water temps. are still in the lower 60's. The D.O.A Shrimp was yet again the top producer. Pop it cork and D.O.A was the the trick. Pop it and let it settle for 30 seconds and pop again,BAMMMM! HANG ON! Get the net!!!
March 12 2008
A nice day to fish. Sunny and warm is here and hopefully to stay. I have checked the weather in the northern states and it seems they have been beaten with snow.Water temps are now in the lower 60's and it has made some decent fishing. Today we managed a couple of small reds using Berckley Gulps on 1/4 oz jig head. Moving them really slow along the bottom with ever so short twitches. You have to let the scent dispurse and the fish will pick it up. Landed a couple of Speckled Trout using D.O.A shrimp patterns , one being 6 pounds. We missed several Reds today , The fish just seemed to mouth the tails. Bass fishing hook sets will miss the fish, Give it a second before setting the hook ..

Feb.27 2008
Just a reminder that I will be giving seminars at the Myrtle Beach Bass Pro Shop March 1st and 2nd at 2 and 4pm. Come visit and I can give you a couple of pointers on fishing inshore species in our area. See you then.

Feb.23 2008 Fishing Report
We'll I have taken a break the last seven weeks and have been doing what I love best, fishing and surfing. I made a trip back down to Panama a scored some great waves and caught a fish or two. I came back home only to travel again to Islamorada Fla. with my father for a awesome fishing adventure in the Keys. All I can say about the Keys is I have turned into a bonefish junkie. I love bonefishing!!!Wow. If you haven't already, you have to get your hands on one. Getting back into the swing of things here locally, totally scored on redfish today.Sunset Beach bridge is holding a nice batch of reds that are hungery for Gulp Shrimp. Working them slow is the trick. Back in the shallows fish are in there same ol spots. I really can't reveal were these places are but a few know. After traveling to Fla. I have come to the conclusion, yet again that the Carolinas have some of the best fishing in the world.

Dec. 15 2007 Fishing Report
Redfish action is super in the areas shallow creeks. The Most of the fish are in the 15 inch range with a few 20 to 22 inches. Ultra light tackle with the gulp shrimp is the way to go. Redfish have also appeared in the I.C.W over the past few weeks in large schools. Catching these redfish in the shallow creeks can be done all year. Winter time is a great time to fish when crowds are light.

Nov. 21 2007
Shallow water fishing is on now. Redfish are schooled in the shallows in the hundreds. Most fish are 15 to 19 inches with a few 24 to 30" fish mixed in. Stealth is critical to have success. I am now running a 17' Key West Flats boat that is perfect for this type of fishing. A sneak attack , knowing what to look for and expect will give you a trip of a lifetime. A few select holes in the shallows are also holding small flounder and trout. Check out my video page in the weeks to come with new helpful tips and some hot fishing action. Happy Fishing!!



November 4 2007
Great fall fishing fishing today with a assortment of gamefish. Light tackle fishing is a blast when they are biting like they are now. Reds seem to be at all the backwater areas I have been fishing as well as the Little River Jetties. A Bucktail live shrimp combo seem to be the best way to get a red bite. Gulp were also very deadly with reds and flounder. Shrimp are thick in the creek for now so enjoy the bounty. Trout fishing is still very good in the I.C.W using D.o.a's , Gulp and live shrimp. Christmas is right around the corner and Capt. Smiley Fishing Gift Certificates are available for that hard to buy for fisherman. See you on the water.



October 12 2007
Killer fishing now!! Big reds out at the Jetties. It has been a interesting week out here with a cold front that moved through. The day the wind switched out of the south the fish really turned off. Weakfish have really made a showing now taking shrimp and mullet. Lots of action with Blues and Spanish. Casting small jigs is the way to go.


Sept. 23 2007
Great fishing. Redfish, flounder, blues,black drum and loads of trout. Fishing today with only artificals and crushed them. All the i.c.w drains are producing fish and also the Little River jetties. This is the best time of year to fish our area. Fishing is rock solid now until the first of the year. Come out and let's go light tackle fishing for these inshore gamefish!


Sept. 20 2007
Super fishing now. Limits on trout are being caught. Reds and Blues out at the jetties. Casting gulps off the rocks will get you the bite, Hang on because the Reds are big. Tidal creeks are also holding some smaller Reds. Trout will eat up a shrimp or D.o.a. Ladyfish are also making a regular showing around the Calabash River. The best tide now is whenever you wet your line. Peace, Smiley


Sept. 7 2007
Fishing has been tough he past few days. I have been used to super fishing the past few weeks. It seems as the good o'l east is least theory has proved right lately. We still have been catching a few flounder here and there but things will get better.


August 25 2006
Fish on!! Wow what a awesome summer!!! It is hotter than I can remember temperature wise and fishing. Shallow water jig fishing has been the ticket. Jigging the berkley gulp will find you fish. D.o.a at the jetties will get you the trout bite. It is plain and simple , yea, live bait will outfish some days but gulp will outfish most. Big bull reds have appeared at the jetties and will give you a fit. Crowds and swells can be irritating so I have spent most of my time in the shalllows. Fishing the shallows is knowing the right place at the right tide. Pushing the limits to almost getting stuck the fish are in the less traveled spots. Good luck out there.



August 15 2007
Summer is screaming to an end. Kids are starting back to school and some of the best fishing of the year is within sight. Fishing this summer for the most part has been outstanding. Speckled Trout have been biting all year long even in the extreme temperatures. Winter Trout in summer is always fine with me. Redfish have really picked up the last couple weeks with some great catches back in the shallow creeks. Micro-light rods with 10 pound power pro line is a awesome ways to try and stop a over the slot redfish. You will not ever forget it! I know you might be tired of hearing about the Berkley Gulp but if you haven't tried it yet you might better. Come out and lets go light tackle jig fishing.


August 8 2007
Had a great trip today fishing the Backwaters. Jig fishing with 3 inch Berkley Gulp Shrimp Patterns on a 1/8 oz. jig did the job. Fishing the tide is the key and knowing were to be. Work your jigs slow for redfish and flounder.Keep moving if you aren't on the fish. Experience and patience will pay off.


August 4 2007
Fishing this week has been pretty productive with only a few slower trips. We have been catching a fair number of reds in the shallow creeks. Jig fishing with live shrimp and the Berkley Gulp Shrimp patterns Have been working well. Has anyone been using the Gulp Alives? I seem to can tell some difference from the others. They seem to tear easier from pecker fish bites. I like the idea of being able to put the shrimp back in the container but the product doesn't seem to hold up. Please mail me if you have had the same problem? I guess I will tell it like it is about stuff. Only a couple more weeks and Jet ski traffic will lighten up. I wonder if d.n.r will be around this summer or year? Dick what's going on dude? Peace,Smiley


July 22 2007 Report
Attention!!! If you own a Jet Ski sink it now. Deep Breaths Patrick. O.k, I'm cool.I really would say something else but I know young children might be reading. Please write to Dick Elliot our local Senator and request a mandatory boater education course here in South Carolina. Maybe he will answer your e- mail because he sure snubs me. de@scsenate.org


July 14
Got off to a great start this week with good numbers of redfish being caught. Large finger mullet fished around drains and docks in the waterway is were the bite is hottest. Trout fishing is starting to be hit and miss with many small fish being caught. Jigging with live shrimp will get you the bite. Had some trips this week that really didn't amount to much but thats the way things are in the hot summer months.



July 7 2007
Still really pounding out the trout. Switched over to ultra-light tackle and having a blast!! Pitching 1/8 ounces jigs with a live shrimp hooked through the head is the trick. Pop it cork with a three foot leader and a live shrimp is also producing redfish and trout bites. Tip of the day" If your not getting bites with live shrimp with just a few casts, move on to your next spot"


June 14 2007
Trout fishing is still pretty steady out at the jetties. Fishing with live shrimp is the way to go. Berkley Gulps and D.o.A shrimp are also producing positive results. Redfish are mixed in with the Trout just off the rocks. Flounder can also be found at the jetties and seem to be fatter in size than the past weeks crops. Stay safe on the water.


June 05 2007
Fishing is really on right now. Live shrimp is the go to bait and can be caught around drains at low tide. Floating live shrimp around oyster bars and grass beds at the higher tides will trigger reds and specks to bite. The secret to success is being at the right place at the right tide. Thats were I come into play. I have also had some super success with the d.o.a shrimp again. The fish were really turned onto them late March and seem to eat them again like candy. The jetties have been holding redfish , blues, and flounder. It seems that the fishing is off to a great start for summer.


May 4 2007
I feel really blessed to be able to do what I do! It's super cool to meet allot of interesting people and go on a fishing adventure about every morning. I wish I could say the fish bite like mad dogs everyday , but they don't. Fishing for me lately has been a roller coaster ride with super great bites and not so super the next. Today was one of those super days. A storm front moved in and the fish went to chewing. Pitching Berkley Gulps we managed to land several small trout and flounder.Hitting creek mouths on the falling tide seemed to be the way to go.


April 22, 2007
After several disappointing fishing trips this week the fishing has picked up to Mecca conditions. Catching was steady for the entire morning trip. Specks, Flounder, Redfish and Bluefish were biting in the waterway from Little River to Sunset Beach.Gulp shrimp , jigging them fast and steady was the trick. It sure is nice to see some pretty April weather. Peace!!

April 16, 2007
We have had extremely windy and wet conditions the last couple of days. Trout fishing is still pretty consistent. Been fishing a lot around the Sunset Beach area and Tubs Inlet. Red drum have been out at the Little River Jetties. Choice of bait has been DOA shrimp and Berkley Gulp.

April 3 2007
I must say our area has seen an epic trout bite this season. Fishing shrimp patterns such as D.o.a or Killer Dillers are working super. I have found trout in most creek mouths and docks in our area. Flounder have also begun to show up around Tubbs Inlet. Charter trips are booking up pretty good this year so regulars need to book early. I am a small charter who takes the calls and personally take you fishing so please leave a message and I will try to fit you in.Peace

March 20 2007
Trout fishing is world class right now. Had a half day trip today and really waxed them. Forty plus fish caught with only thirteen keepers. Pop it corks with D.o.A shrimp is like candy, fish can't stand it!

March 18 2007
Got into the spotted sea trout pretty good today. Fished the falling tide around Sunset Beach Bridge. Moved around at a rapid pace looking for fish. Casting Mirror Lures I thought would be the trick and had no luck. Switched to a Pop It Cork with D.o.A shrimp and it was like magic. Water temps. are up and fishing is on.

March 15 2007
Went out on a scouting mission today and fished the morning falling tide. Searched the shallows for redfish and then fished deeper holes for spotted trout. Had better luck today then the past week or so. Trout were biting mirror lures with a fast retrieve. Changing speed on every cast is a way to figure what the fish want. The redfish on the other hand are super spooky and like it slow. I managed to catch only one redfish but figured that the fish are holding good in one particular creek and not so good in others. The shallow creeks are starting to look lively with fiddlers out on the flats and small mullet at the heads. Come out and enjoy the nice weather and get your fish on!

March 1 2007
We'll gang just getting back into the flow of inshore fishing around Little River.I have had a wonderful break this winter and have done my usual winter travel. I did not make it to Panama this year, but did managed a short trip to Puerto Rico for my surf fix. We managed to score a huge swell that I am happy to survive.My Dad and I did a Father and Son trip down to Islamorada Fla. and had a blast. Backcountry fishing was great. I managed to land a super nice Snook! Man , I wish we had them here. The past week or so I have been doing allot of boat work and have managed to fish a few days. I struck out two days in a row seeing just a few redfish in the shallows. Today I managed to catch a nice trout, striper and redfish. I must admit I worked super hard and fished at least ten different spots. I added a Power Pole Anchor System to my boat so it makes hitting fish spots easy and quick, the thing is awesome. Charter bookings look good for this year, so book your trip early.Keep in touch to the report, I have a new site coming out soon with some video tips. See you on the water.Peace

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