Monthly Archives: August 2022

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Tips for Fishing in Rain

fishingTips for Fishing in Rain

It is not easy to know how to use a fishing rod or where to fish if you’re a beginner. You may find yourself in many difficult situations that you have to overcome. Fishing in the rain can be a great or bad idea. Here are some tips to help you fish in the rain.

Fishing in the Rain

Your fishing strategy will be influenced by the climate. You also need to consider other factors like where you fish and what kind of fish you want. It is important to understand how weather influences your experience of fishing in Myrtle Beach. This will help you maximize your chances for success.

How do you fish when it rains

Anglers often have a hard time deciding whether to fish in rain or poor conditions. It can be a source of joy for some anglers, but it can also be a sign that they are failing, which can cause confusion for those not experienced. We will explain why, but don’t be alarmed.

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Labor Day 2022 Fishing Report

August 30 

Morning surface water temperatures are around 83 degrees inshore around Little River, and on the beach side the water is very clear.   

More calm days have made fishing outside the creeks accessible again, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that the Spanish mackerel bite has been pretty outstanding.  Fish can be caught anywhere nearshore that there are pods of bait (and usually birds diving on them), but probably the best fishing has been out by the jetty rocks. Live chumming and then casting out live baits has been working really well for nice fish up to the 3-5 pound range, and they have found the hook-up ratio is better hooking the baits through the tail.  You can also cast topwater lures at the fish which is a blast.   

Bluefish and small cobia can also be caught out at the nearshore reefs, but the flounder fishing has been really good out there.   

Inshore the flounder patterns are about the same, but the big news is that starting this Thursday you can keep one flounder per day out of North Carolina waters for the month of September.  All summer the flounder population has been excellent in the Tar Heel State, but every fish has had to be released, and so this is an exciting opportunity.   

Inshore the usual early fall patterns for redfish are working, and Captain Smiley reports that you can catch fish around docks, oyster beds and downed trees.  While you can certainly get into an area where there are more very small redfish regardless of bait, in general it seems like live shrimp are getting more little bites while cut mullet are catching bigger fish.  

Out at the jetty rocks the big breeder-sized redfish have moved in, and you can catch them on live or cut menhaden or mullet.  

Trout have not been especially prolific yet but if you drift with live shrimp you will find them.  

The ocean is beautiful right now and so it’s no surprise that Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that they have had four or five king mackerel in the last few days and also jumped some tarpon.  For now they are catching pretty good numbers of mostly smaller flounder, trout and Spanish mackerel while eating-sized whiting have been fairly abundant.   

 

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Using Live Bait On A Myrtle Beach Fishing Charter

Myrtle Beach Fishing CharterArtificial lures are very effective, but there are times when live bait is best. These include weather conditions, tides, species options, angler experience, and even the ability to catch fish.

Live bait is used on a Myrtle Beach fishing charter

You may not realize it, but live bait can require more skill than casting lures. It is easier to throw the lure farther and it is more comfortable for the angler to be in close contact with the lure. Casting with live bait is more difficult because the bait is  light.

Line management is another aspect anglers often struggle with when using live bait on a Myrtle Beach fishing charter. This means managing the line and catching a bite, as well as the slack. This is true whether you are free-lining your bait behind your boat or fishing it under a popping Cork. Bottom fishing is more difficult.

Captain Smiley Fishing Charters use top live baits

Shrimp is my favorite live bait on our fishing charters. There are many reasons why this is so. You can find shrimp at any bait shop. It is relatively easy to keep them alive. You can utilize shrimp in a number of different ways. Last but not least, almost every saltwater game fish species is eager to snag a live shrimp.

A live bait fish is the other type of live bait we utilize when fishing on Myrtle Beach. Although there are many types of bait fish, I only use a few. These are pin fish, grunts, and white bait that we primarily use for live bait fish for Myrtle Beach inshore fishing charters.

In the warmer months, white bait (also known as shiners) is abundant in Myrtle Beach waters. Larger baits can be fished along shorelines, in the structures in the passes and at other spots that are good for large snook. For the common species like snapper, trout and mackerel as well as bluefish, ladyfish and jacks, smaller baits are ideal for inshore fishing.

Pilchards (also known as scaled Sardines) and threadfin Herring (also known as greenbacks or threadies) are the main types of white bait we have in Myrtle Beach. These fish are usually caught with a cast net on shallow grass flats close to the passes, where they are abundant. They are more difficult to find during cooler months. You can catch pinfish and grunts with a cast net or with small hooks baited by shrimp or squid.

Fishing with live shrimp aboard a Myrtle Beach fishing boat

charter fishing myrtle beachLive shrimp, as mentioned previously, are an excellent fishing bait. They can catch almost every species of fish that swim in Myrtle Beach waters. There are many different fishing techniques and rigs that we use to fish with live shrimp. It all depends on the species targeted as well as current conditions.

Free-line fishing a live shrimp is probably our favorite method of fishing. Deep grass flats and passes are two types of spots I fish most often. A sinker will add too much weight to the shrimp, while a flat will keep it from floating too high in the water column. A shrimp that is hooked through the head and swimming in the middle water column is the best presentation. 

Popping corks are the best choice for fishing in water less than 5 feet deep. Popping corks are noisy floats that suspend shrimp three to four feet above the ground. This puts them right in the strike zone. The float pops when it is shaken sharply. The sound mimics the feeding of fish and attracts other fish to it. They will then see the shrimp and grab it. This is a very effective method, especially for spotted sea trout.

Fishing live bait on a Myrtle Beach fishing charter requires that you fish deeper waters, and this is usually done around a structure. 

Live bait fish can also be productive

It is difficult to argue that chumming live bait fish in the summer months is not the most effective fishing method that is used in Myrtle Beach. A cast net is used by the guide or angler to catch hundreds of small bait fish. For flat species, baits between 1 1/2 inches and 2 inches are ideal. Redfish and snook prefer larger baits. Some guides fish only this way, but I’m not one of them. This technique is used when the bait is plentiful and easy to catch.

Our fishing guides are experienced with the optimal bait to use based on the waters, time of year and the type of fish you ae after.  Call us today or book online for a fishing experience you will remember for a lifetime. 

Checkout our Facebook page for more great tips.

Captain Smiley Fishing Charters LLC.
4495 Baker St
Little River, SC 29566
(843) 361-7445

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catch@captainsmileyfishingcharters.com

 

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Myrtle Beach Fishing Report

August 18 

Morning surface water temperatures are around 82 degrees inshore around Little River, and with less wind the last few days water clarity is picking up.   

With a couple of calmer days Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that they have been able to get out to target the Spanish mackerel around the inlet.  If you chase the birds you will see the fish feeding on small pods of glass minnows or menhaden, and you can cast topwater plus or castings jigs at them.  Bluefish in the 18-20 inch range are also mixed in with the Spanish mackerel.  

Inshore fishing is still pretty good for a wide variety of species including redfish, trout, croaker and more.  Live shrimp and mud minnows have been working in holes in the creeks as well as around oyster beds and grass lines.   

The black drum fishing has finally slowed down, and while there are still some fish at the Tillman docks it’s not like it was a couple of weeks ago.   

There are also big drum at jetties, and they have been caught on the bottom with live menhaden.  Sharks are also mixed in.  

You can also float live shrimp off the rocks for trout.   

The flounder fishing continues to be outstanding, although inshore it’s best on the North Carolina side where it’s strictly catch-and-release.   Small live menhaden, live finger mullet and mud minnows are all working. 
With the cleaner water the king mackerel fishing has turned on off the Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625), and they report a 28-pound fish today, another good one lost and a 16-pound fish yesterday.  Other than that the bite has been a little spotty with small flounder and occasional croaker, whiting and sharks.    

 

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Tips For Your Dream Charter Fishing Trip

charter fishingTips For Your Dream Charter Fishing Trip

You are missing out if you’ve never gone fishing. Charter fishing trips are a unique experience that can help you relax and get away from city life. It will also allow you to forget your stress and work deadlines for a few hours. Fishing can be something you look forward to every day, or it can be something you do once in a while to help you de-stress.

Whatever you do, it is important to organize your trip and find the right fishing charter in Myrtle Beach. You may be confused about how to do this. This article will help you to understand the process before you launch your boat on the water or cast your first line.

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Myrtle Beach August 5 Fishing Report

August 4 

Morning surface water temperatures are around 84 degrees inshore around Little River, and until yesterday there had been rough wind and therefore muddy water every day for some time.   

After too many days of too much wind, yesterday Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that the wind finally laid down and they had some outstanding fishing.  On the low to incoming tide they caught black drum, redfish, flounder, trout, croakers, sharks and more.  They were fishing up in the creeks with live shrimp and finger mullet around grass banks and 5-foot holes.     

While the trout and redfish have been a little spotty at times, the black drum have really turned on.  At the Tillman docks they are catching tons of slot-sized fish as well as giants up to 40 or 50 pounds on fresh cut or live shrimp.  There are also big reds in the area.   

When you can get out there there have also been some big drum at jetties, and they have been caught on the bottom with live menhaden.  Sharks are also mixed in.  

You can also float live shrimp off the rocks for trout.   

The flounder fishing continues to be outstanding, but the asterisk is that inshore it’s best on the North Carolina side where it’s strictly catch-and-release.   Small live menhaden, live finger mullet and mud minnows are all working. 
In South Carolina the Caudle Reef is still the best place to catch flounder, and there are also tons of Spanish mackereland some bluefish out there.   

Until yesterday the water has been extremely dirty off the beaches, but Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that just today it has cleared up and already they are catching Spanish mackerel and had a king in the rigs today.  They have also been catching spot, whiting and croaker fairly consistently.   

 

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