SC Saltwater Fishing Report - July 15

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Published: July 15, 2010

Little River

Cherry Grove Pier: A few weakfish, spot, pompano, spadefish and little snapper have been caught, and a few folks targeting sheepshead have been having success.  However, the most exciting bite has been the king mackerel bite and in the last week four kings.

Grand Strand
Perry’s Bait and Tackle in Murrells Inlet reports that this has been the best season in a while for king mackerel fishing out of boats.  Traditional king mackerel hot spots like the Myrtle Beach Rocks, Belkie Bear, and even the 3 Mile have been very productive. At the Murrells Inlet jetties black and red drum fishing has come on strong, with lots of red drum.  Cut mullet, menhaden or quartered blue crabs will all work, and black drum are eating sand fleas very well.  Sheepshead have also turned on at the jetties, especially down towards Georgetown, and sand flea sales are taking off.

Charleston
Folly Beach Pier: A few small blues and trout are being caught, but the big story is the king mackerel and tarpon. A little over a month ago the pier record king mackerel was caught - a 44 pound beauty.

Beaufort

Spottail Bass: Good. Bay Street Outfitters reports most outings they are doing well for redfish.  Occasionally in the heat of the day the fish are refusing to eat, but generally they are taking a fly pretty well. Captain Dan “Fishin’ Coach” Utley reports that on good tailing tides plenty of Redfish have been willing to bite around Hilton Head. Gold spoons like the Nemire Red Ripper are productive, and on the regular tides and around low tide mud minnows fished under a rattling cork have been producing some nice fish. Trout: Few reports.  Bay Street Outfitters reports that a few big trout have been caught in the last week or two, with several fish over 5 pounds.  However, no numbers have been reported - another sign that the cold winter probably got a lot of them.  Down around Hilton Head Captain Dan “Fishin’ Coach” Utley also reports a slow trout bite. Cobia and Tarpon: Going and coming. Bay Street Outfitters reports that last week they landed a 40 pound cobia on the fly, but most of the fish are leaving or gone by now.  There are still a good number of cobia just offshore.  Meanwhile, a few tarpon have already showed up, and Captain Brian Vaughn’s boat landed their first tarpon of the season last week. 

For South Carolina marine recreational fishing regulations: http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/regs/pdf/saltfishing.pdf
Visit the Saltwater Fishing License Web site at http://saltwaterfishing.sc.gov