Michigan Recreational Weekly Fishing Report - 9/18/2008
September 18, 2008
 
All the rain helped push more salmon into the rivers however many of the rivers in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula are experiencing very high water levels which has caused flooding in many areas. Anglers are urged to not only wait until the water levels recede before attempting to fish but to also pay close attention to any warnings issued by the Health Department regarding water quality issues.
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Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - The lake is high and muddy. The few anglers venturing out did manage to find some small perch in 19 feet of water off Stony Point. Fishing should pick up once the waters clear up.
Detroit River - Has muddy water however anglers are catching perch and a few walleye. A lot of catfish have also been caught.
Huron River - Is running high and fast but anglers are catching some steelhead. Good bluegill action in the backwaters.
Lexington - Lake trout are still being caught in waters up to 100 feet deep. Pier anglers are trying for salmon but the fish have not come in yet. No perch to speak of.
Port Sanilac - Boat anglers report limits of lake trout but perch fishing remains slow.
Harbor Beach - Is still producing limits of lake trout. Pier anglers are starting to try for salmon however the fish have not come in yet. Bass are still being caught.
Grindstone City - Is still producing limits of lake trout.
Port Austin - Limits of lake trout are still being caught in 90 to 110 feet of water off the tip of the Thumb. Some have also taken the occasional steelhead.
Saginaw Bay - Perch have been caught around the Spark Plug and near Buoys 15, 16 and 18. Some nice perch were taken from the weedbeds on the edge of the Callahan Reef in 8 feet of water and about two or three miles northwest off the mouth of the Quanicassee River. A few walleyes were caught on a crawler harness in the Slot however anglers were doing more fishing than catching.
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Southwest Lower Peninsula
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The rivers in this area of the state are flooded and un-fishable. Conditions are dangerous around the dams due to the risk of failure. Anglers should stay off all rivers in Southwest Michigan until flood waters recede.
St. Joe River - Had a really good run of coho however water levels are high and the river is not safe to fish.
Dowagiac River - Is flooded and un-fishable.
Paw Paw River - Look for good numbers of coho after the waters recede.
Kalamazoo River - Water levels are high and the river is not safe to fish.
Rabbit River - Is flooded and un-fishable.
Thornapple River - Is flooded and un-fishable.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Water levels are high and fast however anglers are still catching coho when dropping and drifting flies. Be advised that the Ottawa County Health Department issued a no-contact advisory for the river after sewage and storm water overflowed into the river in Grand Rapids.
Grand River at Lansing - Is running high and muddy. Before the water levels came up, anglers did mange to catch a few salmon in the Lansing area. Try drifting spawn or jigging spoons in the deeper holes when the water levels come back down.
Reeds Lake - Reported fair to good action for crappie and the pike are starting to bite good as they prepare for colder weather.
Muskegon - Perch have been caught on minnows north of the piers in 10 to 30 feet of water. If the waters are cool, anglers will find fish. A few salmon were caught.
Muskegon Lake - Boat anglers caught a few salmon. Bluegills are biting and the largemouth bass fishing was very good from the weedbeds out to 20 feet of water.
Muskegon River - Water levels are up but the river is fishable. Anglers are taking salmon when casting spoons or crank baits near the mouth.
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Northeast Lower Peninsula
Rogers City - The primary focus is salmon fishing in Swan Bay. The fish are turning dark and should be running up the Swan River soon. Fish have been caught in shallow waters 15 to 30 feet deep when using J-plugs and bombers off boards in the early morning or after dark. Green and pearl have been good colors. Those fishing the top 35 feet of waters 40 to 70 feet deep are taking a mix of chinook, coho, atlantic and steelhead. Good colors were green, blue, orange, purple or anything that glows.
Presque Isle - Has very good fishing for young chinook salmon. Coho, atlantic, lake trout and steelhead were also caught off the Red Can and around the lighthouse. Stoneport is producing some fish but anglers will want to use caution around the fishing nets. The fish caught have been full of smelt and alewife.
Alpena - When boats can get out, steelhead and lake trout have been caught in 80 to 100 feet of water. The steelhead are close to the surface.
Thunder Bay River - Anglers have been fishing off the pier, the docks and around the Alpena Marina. A few salmon were caught around the Ninth Street Dam.
Harrisville - A few salmon have been caught in and around the harbor. Boats venturing outside the harbor are staying in 25 to 50 feet of water and trolling J-plugs or spoons in a variety of colors. Shore anglers and those in small boats are floating spawn under a bobber or casting spoons and body baits. Lake trout season is slowly coming to an end as fish were caught in 85 to 120 feet of water.
Oscoda - Pier fishing was limited but fish were caught in the early morning and late evening when casting spoons. Hot colors were orange and silver or blue and silver.
Au Sable River - There have been some walleye caught in the river, but dredging has slowed the number of anglers attempting to fish.
Tawas - Pier fishing was slow, with a few small perch and one or two walleyes taken. Boat anglers caught a few perch from the weedbeds off Jerry’s Marina and a few walleye were caught near Buoys 4 and 6.
Au Gres - A couple chinook salmon have been caught in the surf off the Singing Bridge access site. The walkways along the Whitney Drain remain closed for renovation. Walleye fishing is very slow so most anglers are now switching over to perch fishing. Some 8 to 10 inch perch were caught straight out near the shipping channel in 30 to 40 feet of water.
Au Gres River - Water levels are running high and fast. The river might be fishable by the weekend.
Rifle River - Water levels are high and the current is fast.
Higgins Lake - Few anglers have been out as many have turned their attention to bird hunting. Those fishing have managed to catch lake trout and perch. Those hunting are doing well for woodcock.
Houghton Lake - Cooler nights have the northern pike biting. Minnows and large crank baits are taking fish. Walleye action remains steady.
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Northwest Lower Peninsula
Petoskey - Pier anglers caught a few fish when floating spawn just off the bottom.
Charlevoix - Just a few salmon were taken by boat anglers trolling the shallows with J-plugs, reef runners and thundersticks. Target the drop-off and fish the top 50 feet of water. Shore anglers took fish in the early morning and late evening when using glow spoons. Spawn on the bottom produced fish near the Cement Plant.
Glen Lake - Is booming with perch anglers taking limit catches while still throwing a lot of fish back. The perch have started to school and several fish over 10 inches have been caught. The best location changes with the wind but stick to the north end of Big Glen between the Yacht Club and the entrance to Fisher Lake. Try wigglers, minnows or shrimp in 20 to 30 feet of water.
Frankfort - Has fair to good chinook and coho fishing in front of the piers in 150 to 170 feet of water. Steelhead can be found out deep in 320 to 350 feet of water. Pier anglers are casting alewife rigs or white and glow spoons. Those fishing off the old Elberta dock caught fish on spawn. Anglers are catching fish in Platte Bay however there is no indication yet of a large run.
Betsie River - There are many fish in the river! Anglers were catching the most from River Road all the way up past the Homestead Dam.
Onekama - The Shelf is still producing good catches of chinook. The Barrel is producing fish in the early morning but after the sun comes up, anglers are fishing 45 to 50 feet down in waters 120 to 160 feet deep while trolling white and glow J-plugs and green, orange or blue spoons. Pier anglers have caught chinook and coho in the early morning when using alewife.
Portage Lake - Good numbers of panfish are still being caught in the deeper waters on the east end of the lake. Good walleye and pike fishing. The walleye bite is better at night and the pike are hitting on small spoons and body baits throughout the day.
Manistee - Anglers are catching chinook salmon in front of the piers and in the harbor. The best baits are glow and pearl J-plugs. Pier anglers are also catching chinook when casting glow spoons.
Manistee Lake - Boat anglers are taking some nice chinook salmon.
Manistee River - Has fishable numbers of salmon although peak conditions are not here yet. Spawn, flies and small spoons are taking fish.
Hamlin Lake - Good fishing continues with limits of bluegill taken in 6 to 12 feet of water off the Boy Scout Camp and in Pete’s Bayou.
Big Sable River - Fishing slowed since the first big run but chinook are stacked up below the highway bridge. Fish are on the gravel but not bedding. Some anglers are using alewife while others are drifting spawn under a bobber. Those surfcasting at the mouth are using spawn bags however Mepps and Cleo’s were taking more fish. There are a good number of suckers below the dam.
Ludington - Boat anglers are catching chinook salmon in front of the piers and between the Bath House and the Pointe in 30 to 80 feet of water.
Pere Marquette River - Has fishable numbers of salmon although peak conditions are not here yet. Spawn, flies and small spoons are taking fish.
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Upper Peninsula
Keweenaw Bay - The bite has been slow for the most part. A few chinook, coho and lake trout were taken by those trolling about halfway down in waters 60 to 100 feet deep between Sand Point and Carla’s Café. Those jigging found a few lake trout in 120 to 240 feet of water. A nice pike was caught in Huron Bay. In the South Portage Entry, anglers have caught coho and lake trout in 60 to 90 feet of water between the Farmers Reef and the Jacobsville Lighthouse.
Falls River - There have been reports of some pink salmon in the river.
Marquette - The past week was good for lake trout fishing with many boats catching their limit in shallow waters. Salmon fishing continues to be slow however a few more chinook were caught along with a couple steelhead.
Dead River - Coho salmon have been seen.
Carp River - Coho and steelhead are in the river.
Green Bay - The chinook have started to move closer to shore. Fish were caught on the Bay side when fishing off the pier with small Cleo’s. Good colors were silver with green or blue. Smallmouth bass were caught off the pier and walleye were caught straight out from the marina on perch colored harnesses.
Ford River - Salmon are starting to show up around the mouth and several walleye anglers have caught them. The launch on the river is closed to all fishing until the construction is done.
Cedar River - Yellow perch and smallmouth bass were caught when drifting with crawlers or crank baits. Walleye were caught near the mouth when trolling a crawler harness in 15 feet of water.
Little Bay De Noc - Walleye action was spotty but fish were caught off the First Reef when trolling crawlers in 10 to 16 feet of water and in the flats near Brach’s Cabins. The Black Bottom produced a few fish however more fish were marked to the south around the East Bank in 14 to 26 feet of water. Good perch fishing in the flats out from Brach’s Cabins and off Gladstone Beach when fishing the drop-off. Excellent smallmouth action around Hunters Point.
Big Bay De Noc - No walleye to report this week but the smallmouth bass anglers are just getting started around Snake Island. Only a few catches to report so far but the fish were big. Most are drifting minnows 15 to 25 feet down along the break. Perch fishing was fair off the southern end of Ogontz when jigging worms in 8 to 14 feet of water. Salmon season is winding down off Fairport. A few chinook were still being caught on spoons 40 to 60 feet down in 100 to 120 feet of water.
Au Train - Lake trout were caught in the flats and along the Wood Island Reef.
Munising - The coho are starting to move in.
Grand Marais - Coho and steelhead were caught when trolling in the bay and out towards the Sable Point Lighthouse.
St. Mary’s River - Has good numbers of pink salmon between the Power Plant and the tour boat docks. Anglers are casting or jigging Swedish Pimples and spoons. Good walleye action in the early morning when trolling a bottom bouncer with a crawler harness and blades. Some nice yellow perch were caught in the weedbeds across from the ferry dock on Neebish Island. Good smallmouth action off the southeast corner of Sugar Island in 20 feet of water.
De Tour - Chinook and lake trout are still being caught in the shipping channel. Green and blue spoons worked well. Walleye are still being caught around Peck Island, Rutland Island, Scott Bay and north of the city launch. Off Drummond Island, perch were caught in 6 to 8 feet of water near Ashman Island and Harbor Island.
Cedarville and Hessel - Fishing has been slow but chinook can still be found 50 to 80 feet down when using hammered silver spoons with chartreuse or black. Small orange and gold spoons also caught fish.
Carp River - A couple pink salmon were caught by the Mackinaw Trail Bridge which is down near the mouth.
Related posts
South Carolina Saltwater Fishing Trends - 8/11/2008
August 11, 2008
Little River
- Grand Strand - Charleston - Hilton Head - Tides - S.C. marine recreational fishing regulations (PDF file). Saltwater Fishing License site.
Fishing trends courtesy www.SCFishingReport.com. Check the site for recent updates and detailed reports.
- Flounder: Very good. Even though the water is starting to get very warm flounder continue to be caught in Cherry Grove and 53rd area creeks using mud minnows. Flounder are also being taken at the Little River jetties.
- Spottail bass: Very good. Fish Clark Spoons or other heavy, fast dropping lures deep against the rocks at the jetties for big red drum. Fish can be caught on most any tide - the key is getting the spoons deep. Cut mullet or menhaden weighted down may also work.
- Sheepshead and black drum: Excellent. The sheepshead bite has gotten hot. Sand fleas and fiddler crabs are both very productive around the jetties and any inshore pilings.
- Spanish mackerel: Very good. Big Spanish mackerel are being caught near the jetties. Look for feeding birds and motor slowly towards the fish; throw Gotcha Plugs, Hopkins Spoons, or anything else with a treble hook to land fish.
- Offshore: Wahoo and king mackerel are both being caught when boats can get offshore. The dolphin bite has really slowed.
- Cherry Grove Pier: Whiting up to half a pound and black drum up to three pounds are both being caught on cut pieces of shrimp. A few small sheepshead are also being reported caught, and occasional 16 inch flounder are being landed.
- Spottail Bass: Good. Slot sized spottails are being taken at the south end of Murrells Inlet in the backwaters and creeks as well as by flounder fishermen drifting or trolling the main inlet. Mud minnows, live or cut mullet, and cut shrimp are all producing. Large drum continue to be caught at the jetties; fish the incoming tide right after the tide turns against the North Jetty walls.
- Trout: Sporadic. Occasional reports continue to come in of some very large trout being caught at the jetties, but these are few and far between. Use live shrimp, finger mullet, or mud minnows or fish Gulp.
- Flounder: Slow. With the very hot water flounder catching has slowed to almost non-existent. Some anglers continue to troll Murrells Inlet, but few fish are being landed.
- Sheepshead: Excellent. Large numbers of sheepshead are being caught at the Murrells Inlet jetty, but the bite is even hotter down at the Georgetown jetties. Fiddler crabs and live or cut shrimp on a Carolina rig fished vertically are producing. Perry’s Bait and Tackle reports that sheepshead sell as fast as they can catch them.
- Surf report: Snapper bluefish are prolific as well as good numbers of whiting. Pompano are also around in good numbers - August and September are traditionally the best months for sheepshead in the area. Large, 5 to 7 pound Spanish mackerel are abundant in the surf.
- Springmaid Pier: Some good sized flounder have been caught, as well as fair numbers of pinfish and spots. Ribbonfish have been prolific, and no kings have been caught recently. Second
- Avenue Pier: Flounder action is pretty hot; 15 or so are being caught each day, up to 3 or 4 pounds. A few black drum are being caught as well as some Spanish by jig fishermen. Pinfish, whiting, and croaker are also around.
- Myrtle Beach State Park Pier: Occasional flounder are being caught, as well as whiting, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel.
- Apache Pier: Fishing has slowed, but some summer trout and flounder are being caught as well as occasional pompano. A 30.8 pound king mackerel was landed a couple of weeks ago.
- Surfside Pier: Fishing remains off, and only sharks, stingrays, and sea robins are being caught in good numbers.
- Garden City Pier: Whiting and pinfish are being caught in decent numbers, and lots of small bluefish in the 11 to 13 inch size are being landed. A few pompano are being landed and some Spanish are also being jigged up. No king mackerel have been caught recently.
- Offshore: Offshore fishing has slowed down, but some grouper are being reported caught at the wrecks and reefs. The hottest bite is big king mackerel - a 35 pounder was recently caught trolling a reef 15 miles out, and lots more approaching that size are also being taken.
- Spottail Bass: Very good. Haddrell’s Point reports that redfish are scattered across all of the lowcountry estuaries, and anglers continue to have best luck fishing under docks with deep holes and plenty of shade. These fish are being caught on live or cut bait, Gulp, or Rattle Traps. Fishing in the flats is also strong, and spottails are in schools of 5 to 30 fish and being caught on flukes fished on flutter hooks. Bull drum are also schooled up in the harbor, and fish up to 40 pounds or more can be caught on bottom rigs with cut bait. The same method also works at the jetties.
- Trout: Very good. Early and late in the day topwater action is hot for spotted sea trout. Use topwater lures like Zara Spooks and “walk the dog” around oyster shells and feeder creeks on moving tides. Strong action is also coming fishing shrimp, minnows, or artificial shrimp under a popping cork at high tide. Good action is also coming fishing around points with oyster beds on tides where bait is being pulled in or pushed out; trout will ambush prey from the back side of these points.
- Flounder: Good. Flounder fishing continues to improve over the last few weeks, and best results are coming fishing around the edges of rock piles and creek mouths. Fish live finger mullet or mud minnows on a Carolina rig.
- Sheepshead: Very good. Most any structure, from nearshore wrecks to the jetties to inshore piers and bridges, is holding hungry sheepshead right now. Fish fiddler crabs, clam pieces, or cut shrimp.
- Tarpon: Good. Decent numbers of tarpon are still hanging around the inlets and jetties, and shark fishermen report picking some up accidentally. Fish large live mullet or menhaden in 6 to 15 foot deep slews between the sandbars on the outside of most any Charleston area inlet.
- Spanish mackerel: Good. Nice catches of Spanish mackerel continue to be made in the Harbor. Fish Gotcha plugs or spoons.
- Folly Beach Pier: A mixed bag continues to be caught at the pier, including whiting, bluefish, trout, Spanish mackerel, red drum, and sheepshead. Anglers are not having hot action on any one species, but action is pretty consistent for something.
- Offshore: Grouper and snapper action is good using butterfly jigs and cigar minnows in 85 to 150 feet of water. King mackerel fishing is hot from the shipping channel out to 120 feet of water. Snakes are abundant in 60 to 90 feet; troll sea witches with small ballyhoo, drone spoons, and diving plugs to ensure plenty of action. Dolphin fishing has generally slowed, but Ryan Riggs landed a new state record dolphin weighing 77.5 pounds and measuring 65 inches aboard the “Daymaker” on July 24 while fishing the Governor’s Cup out of Bohicket Marina. He caught the fish just inshore of the 226 hole trolling a naked ballyhoo rig on a circle hook. A few wahoo continue to be caught in 130 to 180 feet. The hottest bite continues to be billfish and particularly sailfish. Sailfish are balling bait in 250 to 300 feet of water, and boats heading deep are getting 5 to 10 shots a day at them. Blue marlin are being sighted less frequently, but several boats have released them in the last few days.
- Spottail Bass: Very good. First thing in the morning redfish are hitting topwater; when the sun is higher fish deeper with Gulp Shrimp. Tailing action is strong around high tide and will continue all summer. On the incoming tide fish the edges of the grass with rattle floats and natural colored Gulp Shrimp to catch slot sized fish as well as larger ones. Also use brown Gulp Swimming Minnows or mud minnows.
- Trout: Good to very good. Early morning topwater action is very good, and some big trout are being caught on lures like Spooks. Good fishing is coming under docks or on the outgoing tide where feeder creeks are emptying into bigger water. Shrimp and mud minnows fished under Cajun Thunder rattling bobbers, or Gulp grubs, are producing.
- Flounder: Good. Flounder fishing has improved slightly, and anglers are catching flounder using traditional flounder rigs with a bobber to float the mud minnows off the bottom. Best fishing is around low tide in the same areas as the spottails and trout, or in the mouths of creeks and inlets.
- Tarpon: Read about tarpon fishing in the Beaufort report.
- Offshore: High fuel prices and windy conditions have slowed offshore fishing. Nearshore Spanish mackerel, bluefish and jack crevalle are being caught just outside the Port Royal Sound and at the Gaskins and Whitewater reefs. For more offshore information read the Beaufort report.
Related posts
South Carolina Saltwater Fishing Trends - 7/21/2008
July 21, 2008
Fishing trends courtesy www.SCFishingReport.com. Check the site for recent updates and detailed reports.
- Spottail Bass: Good. Anglers are catching spottail bass along structure in the ICW, around creek mouth drains, and in the upper creeks using live mud minnows and Berkeley Gulp.
- Flounder: Excellent. Flounder continue to be caught in Cherry Grove and 53rd area creeks using mud minnows.
- Sheepshead: Very good. Sand fleas and fiddler crabs are both very productive around the jetties and any inshore pilings.
- Spanish mackerel: Very good. Look for feeding birds and motor slowly towards the fish; throw Gotcha Plugs, Hopkins Spoons, or anything else with a treble hook to land fish.
- Bluefish: Very good. The Cherry Grove beaches are particularly good; use cut bait.
- Cherry Grove Pier
Nice flounder are being caught off the pier. Black drum and sheepshead are both feeding very well on fiddler crabs.
- Spottail Bass: Very good. Lots of reds are being caught on the flats and in the backwaters and creeks as well as by flounder fishermen drifting or trolling Murrells Inlet. Mud minnows, live or cut mullet, and cut shrimp are all producing.
- Trout: Fair. There are isolated reports of trout being caught in the creek behind Litchfield, as well as on the outside of the jetty walls. Try Mirrolures, Gulp shrimp, or live shrimp.
- Flounder: Good to very good. Drift or troll live mud minnows in Murrells Inlet or the Tubbs Inlet area.
- Black Drum: Very good. Target deep holes in the creeks, such as the hole off the end of the Murrells Inlet (old Veterans) Pier. Cut shrimp, live shrimp, and crabs are all productive.
- Sheepshead: Excellent. At both the Murrells Inlet and Georgetown jetties the sheepshead seem to be ravenous. Fiddler crabs and live or cut shrimp on a Carolina rig fished vertically are producing. Pompano: Good. Fish with sand fleas in areas that have not been dredged for best results.
- Bluefish: Good. Schools of nice sized bluefish are beginning to show up again in the surf, and anglers are doing well fishing cut bait on the bottom or on bluefish rigs.
- Springmaid Pier
Early and late in the day Spanish are being caught. Whiting, small bluefish, and pinfish are also abundant. - Second Avenue Pier
Flounder and spottail bass are being caught. Lots of sheepshead are also being landed fishing fiddler crabs vertically around the pilings. - Myrtle Beach State Park Pier
The bluefish bite has slowed down, but Spanish are still being caught in good numbers by fishermen jigging. Small bluefish and decent sized whiting are also being landed. - Apache Pier
The bluefish being caught are small now, but some nice Spanish up to 3.5 pounds are being caught. Some nice catches of flounder are being reported, and black drum up to 10.4 pounds are being caught. - Surfside Pier
Fishing is slow, although white and sharks are still being caught. - Garden City Pier
While bluefish and Spanish mackerel have slowed some are still being caught, although the Spanish are mainly in the 11-13 inch range and being caught jigging. Bluefish the same size are also being caught. Whiting and a few pompano are being taken, and beyond the breakers in the middle of the pier flounder are being caught.
- The harbor is full of bait - tons of mullet, menhaden, and some shrimp have arrived.
- Spottail Bass: Very good. Tailing action is starting to get hot on the flats. Also, around low tide fishing for really big reds in the same areas using cut menhaden and crabs has been red hot. Lots of fish are also being caught in the ICW, creeks, and Wando River.
- Trout: Good to very good. Trout prefer clean water, and fishing is best in the Wando River, the Intracoastal around Wild Dunes, and most of the inlets, especially around high tide. Both live bait and artificials are productive at times, and the topwater bite has been strong recently.
- Flounder: Good. Target flounder using live mud minnows fished slowly on the bottom in the inlets and creeks. Giggers are reporting good numbers of fish caught.
- Sheepshead: Very good. Most any structure, from nearshore wrecks to the jetties to inshore piers and bridges, is holding hungry sheepshead right now. Fish fiddler crabs or cut shrimp.
- Spanish Mackerel and Jack Crevalle: Very good. Most anything shiny and fast should draw strikes. Many fishermen are concentrating around the Castle area, and fishing the ebb tide when water is pushing the bait out.
- Folly Beach Pier
Some Spanish mackerel up to 5 pounds are being caught, as well as occasional kings. Bluefish and whiting are also very common, and spottails, trout, pompano, and sheepshead have all been caught recently.
- Spottail Bass: On the incoming tide fish the edges of the grass with rattle floats and natural colored Gulp Shrimp to catch slot sized fish as well as larger ones. Also use brown Gulp Swimming Minnows, or mud minnows.
- Trout: Good. Outgoing tide has been strongest for the last couple of weeks, and most trout are being caught up against the grass or in areas where oyster beds abut grass. Shrimp and mud minnows fished under Cajun Thunder rattling bobbers, or Gulp grubs, are producing.
- Flounder: Fair. Best fishing is around low tide in the same areas as the spottails and trout, or in the mouths of creeks and inlets.
- Spottail Bass: Very good. The best spottail fishing is for tailing reds feeding in the flooded grass around high tide; these can be sight-fished for by lure or fly fishermen.
- Trout: Few reports. Flounder: Good. Fish mud minnows along the bottom.
- Cobia: Fair. The tail end of the Broad River cobia fishing season has arrived.
- Bluefish and Ladyfish: Good. Bluefish and ladyfish are present in the Broad River and feeding on the large menhaden schools.
- Paradise Pier
Some decent whiting have been caught as well as black tip sharks and stingrays. Sheepshead are also available around high tide when the water is slackest. The biggest catch is blue crabs which are being caught by the 5 gallon bucketful around low tide.
Related posts
South Carolina Saltwater Fishing Trends - 6/9/2008
June 9, 2008
Fishing trends courtesy www.SCFishingReport.com. Check the site for recent updates and further information.
Little River
The winds died down this week, making for better fishing. The surf temperature is around 74 degrees.
Spottail Bass: Fair. Anglers are catching spottail bass along structure in the ICW, around creek mouth drains, and in the upper creeks using live mud minnows and Berkeley Gulp. The jetties are also productive right now.
Trout: Good. The trout bite is strong and 3 to 5 pound fish are being taken at the Little River jetties where some big trout are being caught on live shrimp. Berkeley Gulp baits and DOA shrimp have also been effective.
Flounder: Excellent. Most of the flounder have now returned inshore and can be caught in Cherry Grove and 53rd area creeks using mud minnows. Flounder are also being taken at the Little River jetties. Fish up to 8 pounds are being reported caught.
Surf Report: Whiting and pompano are prolific, and sand fleas have arrived. Bluefish are also being caught in good numbers.
Cherry Grove Pier: The Spanish mackerel and bluefish bite has slowed in the last week, and only occasional flounder are being caught. Some nice black drum are being caught in the evenings, up to 4 or 5 pounds, and good sized whiting are being caught.
Menhaden and finger mullet schools have begun to arrive; expect the bait to arrive in full force in the next couple of weeks. Surf temperatures are around 78 degrees.
Spottail Bass: Good. The large schools of spottail bass have broken up for the year, and fish are cruising alone or in small packs. Spottails are being caught in the backwaters and creeks, and many drum are being caught by flounder fishermen drifting or trolling Murrells Inlet. Some larger fish are also being caught around the Murrells Inlet jetties. Mud minnows, live or cut mullet, and cut shrimp are all producing.
Trout: Very good. Trout fishing is hot at the Sunset Bridge. Also, some trout are being caught on the outside of the jetty walls. Try Mirrolures, Gulp shrimp, or live shrimp.
Flounder: Very good. Flounder fishing is hot and nice numbers of fish are being reported with about half of these fish being keeper sized. Drift or troll live mud minnows in Murrells Inlet or the Tubbs Inlet area. Some very large fish, including a 9 and 11 pound doormat, have been caught in the surf at Garden City. In the recent Murrells Inlet Rotary Tournament overall catches were very strong and some large fish were taken.
Pompano: Very good. Pompano have showed up and are feeding aggressively in the surf. Fish with sand fleas in areas that have not been dredged for best results. The fish are mainly small but a 2.5 pounder was weighed in recently.
Piers: The Spanish mackerel and bluefish run seems to have slowed down.
Springmaid Pier: A few Spanish mackerel and bluefish are still being caught, with occasional pompano and some whiting also being taken. Sheepshead are still doing well.
Myrtle Beach State Park Pier: The bluefish bite has slowed down but Spanish are still being caught in good numbers by fishermen jigging. Some small pompano are also being caught.
Apache Pier: Blues and Spanish have slowed, but some nice sized flounder in the 3-5 pound range are being landed. Trout, including a pretty 4 pound 4 oz fish, are also being caught.
Surfside Pier: Blues in the 6 to 7 pound range are still being caught, and fishermen continue to jig up some Spanish mackerel. The bit for both species has slowed, though.
Garden City Pier: While bluefish and Spanish mackerel have slowed some are still being caught, although the Spanish are mainly in the 11-13 inch range and being caught jigging. Whiting are being caught with some pompano mixed in. Beyond the breakers in the middle of the pier flounder are being caught.
Offshore: Spadefish are prolific at the near shore reefs, such as the Sherman wreck, and large numbers are being caught using jelly ball teasers to draw the fish up and then fishing with pieces of cut jelly balls. The 3 miles reef has been very good. King and Spanish mackerel are stacked up at Belkie Bear and Paradise Reef. Dolphins, including some big bulls, tuna and some wahoo are being caught 40 miles offshore and at the Parking Lot. Grouper and Snapper are still biting out at the Ledge. In the recent Governor’s Cup Billfish Tournament out of Georgetown 21 blue marlin, 4 white marlin and 98 sailfish were released. The big dolphin was a 60 pound fish.
Cape Romain/McClellanville
Spottail Bass: Good. Fish are not difficult to locate on the flats, but at times it is difficult to draw strikes. Try a variety of lures to get them to bite, ranging from DOA or Gulp shrimp to topwater plugs to gold spoons to flies. Mud minnows or live mullet may also be effective. Tailing action is being reported.
Trout: No reports.
Charleston
Spottail Bass: Very good. More and more bait is showing up everyday and tailing action is starting to get hot on the flats. Lots of fish are also being caught in the ICW, creeks, and Wando River. Some monster spottails are being caught out around the Charleston jetties fishing cut bait.
Trout: Fair. Fish are in the Wando, Cooper, and the ICW around Wild Dunes, but from day to day they can turn off and then on again. Both live bait and artificials are productive at times, and best fishing is coming to the north of Charleston.
Flounder: Fair. Some flounder are around but catches are not very good yet, although they may be picking up. As more and more baitfish arrive, and flounder continue to return inshore, catches should improve straight through to October. Target flounder using live mud minnows fished slowly on the bottom. Some giggers report being successful in the last few days.
Sheepshead: Very good. Most any structure, from nearshore wrecks to the jetties to inshore piers and bridges, is holding sheepshead right now. Fish fiddler crabs or cut shrimp.
Spanish Mackerel: Very good. The Harbor is full of Spanish mackerel right now, and these can be caught trolling or sight casting Gotcha Plugs, Castmaster or Drone spoons - most anything shiny and fast should draw strikes.
Folly Beach Pier: Fishing at the pier has really improved, and some nice fish are being caught. 5, 6, and 7 pound Spanish have been caught, as well as kings up to 29 pounds 13oz. A 7 pound bluefish was recently caught, an 8 pound sheepshead and a 5-6 black drum. Some large pompano are being caught sporadically, and a few trout are being taken amongst lots of whiting and other bottom feeders.
Offshore: Spadefish are prolific at nearshore reefs and wrecks - use pieces of jelly balls. Dolphin are abundant and still being caught in large numbers, although this action has slowed a bit in the past two weeks, and wahoo fishing is very good although not quite as strong as last year. Barracuda are out in full force, and some yellowfin tuna are being caught at the Georgetown Hole.
Spottail Bass: Very good. Tailing action is strong around high tide and will continue to improve all summer. On the incoming tide fish the edges of the grass with rattle floats and natural colored Gulp Shrimp to catch slot sized fish as well as larger ones. Also use brown Gulp Swimming Minnows, or mud minnows. A few hours before and after low tide good action is being reported on the low tide flats.
Trout: Fair. Trout fishing has dropped off in the last week or two although some nice-sized fish are being caught. Use Gulp shrimp imitations or live shrimp and target drops on the falling tide, or fish around the grass when the water is high.
Cobia: Read about cobia fishing in the Beaufort report.
Offshore: Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and jacks are all being caught in the Gaskins Bank reef area. Troll shiny spoons and plugs or sight cast at baitfish busting the surface. The best offshore bite is dolphin and wahoo, which continue to move closer in as temperatures warm.
Beaufort
Spottail Bass: Good. Fish are spread out and feeding aggressively on the large mullet schools which have showed up. Spottails are beginning to tail in large numbers in the grass and can be sight-fished for by lure or fly fishermen. Some topwater action is also being reported.
Trout: Few reports. There are scattered reports of some trout up to 4 pounds being caught recently, but most of the local guides are concentrating on cobia or tailing redfish.
Flounder: Good. Flounder are in the inlets and beginning to be caught throughout the creeks. Fish mud minnows along the bottom.
Cobia: Very good. Cobia action is at its peak in the Port Royal Sound and Broad River, but since the sharks have arrived much of the action has move towards the mouth of the sound were many anglers are fishing on top. Lots of anglers continue to fish around the bridge in deep holes, too. Fish are being caught on all types of baits, such as menhaden, eels, squid, and whiting, when anchored up or drifting. Sight fishing with plugs has been off and on, and the fish have been willing to take flies at times, too. Puglisi fly patterns have worked the best. Best fishing is two hours each side of the tide change - when tides are running strongest fish are unlikely to bite. The inshore cobia bite will thin out about mid-June, but some fish will stay in the area right through to August. Lots of cobia are being seen at artificial reefs like the Betsy Ross, although enticing them to eat has been difficult.
Paradise Pier: Some decent whiting have been caught as well as black tip sharks and stingrays. The biggest catch is blue crabs which are being caught by the 5 gallon bucketful around low tide.
Offshore: Black Sea bass and snapper are still available at offshore reefs. Out at the 20 mile mark kings and Spanish mackerel are being caught, as well as some cobia which have already made their way offshore. 45 miles out king mackerel, dolphins, and little tunny are prolific trolling. Further out wahoo, dolphin, and billfish are being reported.
Related posts
South Carolina Saltwater Fishing Trends - 6/2/2008
June 2, 2008
For more recent updates and further information visit www.SCFishingReport.com
Little River
Strong winds have continued to make for tough fishing this week in the Little River area. Spottail Bass: Fair. Anglers are catching spottail bass along structure in the ICW, around creek mouth drains, and in the upper creeks using live mud minnows and Berkeley Gulp. The jetties are also productive right now.
Trout: Good. The trout bite is strong and 3 to 5 pound fish are being taken at the Little River jetties where some big trout are being caught on live shrimp. Berkeley Gulp baits and DOA shrimp have also been effective.
Flounder: Excellent. Most of the flounder have now returned inshore and can be caught in Cherry Grove and 53rd area creeks using