April 12
Inshore water temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are 60 and slightly above, and the water is still gin clear.
As temperatures start to rise fishing is rapidly improving at the top of the South Carolina coast, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly(843-361-7445) reports that on his most recent trip they caught 20+ redfish ranging from 17 to 26 inches to go with a good number of black drum. The fish are being caught in 5-10 foot holes in and off the IntraCoastal, and although the rising tide was best yesterday they will bite at other times too. Cut shrimp and Gulp! baits are working for redfish, with black drum preferring the natural fare. Some small croaker and other bait stealers are starting to show up, so fishing shrimp can be a bit more challenging than in the winter.
Flounder are starting to be caught in the Cherry Grove area, but so far the vast majority of them are undersized. Drifting the creeks with mud minnows throughout the tide cycle is working well, and very soon more keepers will arrive.
Few trout have been caught recently but Captain Smiley’s boat did pick up this 7 ½ pound monster on Sunday! Fishermen are reminded that, as a precautionary measure, the SCDNR is asking anglers to practice catch and release of all spotted seatrout through the end of September. To read the full news release click here.
Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that with surf temperatures right at 60 degrees they are seeing more whiting, croaker, perch and a few spots. Lots of small flounder are also being caught as well as the first keeper black drum of the season, a 22-incher. There are also plenty of small sand sharks and skates.

Jay A’Hern
Angler’s Headquarters (www.AnglersHeadquarters.com)
P.O. Box 50225
Columbia, SC 29250
jay@usfishingreport.com