Was down in North Myrtle for the week with the wife and my dog, and decided to bring the “Mean 13” and see what I could get into. I’ve fished Cherry Grove a handful of times, but wanted to explore the ICW, Dunn Sound, and the inlet to see if I could find some more bites. I’m originally from Chapin, and though the coast is never too far away, it’s enough for me to want to do some research and chart and forum study so that I can make the most of my time when I do get down. That being said, this forum has helped me a ton! Preciate yall!
Monday through Wednesday of this week, I put in at Johnny Causey and experienced firsthand the patience that everyone aquires whilst motoring through the no wake zones. My dog, Soka, always bolts to the bow when I bring the boat off plane and ruffs at the trolling motor, thinking it’s time to fish, so she learned some patience too! Curious if anyone ever stops and fishes the rocks at the lighthouse there on the ICW? It looks like it could hold fish, or not…I never stopped to try. Plus the traffic was usually pretty heavy around there.
I pretty much fished the SC side of calabash creek, that little side arm off the ICW. Went and fished the two points on that wall right before you get to Dunn Sound, then the mouth of Sheepshead creek and back a little further. I ran up and down Bonaparte Creek on the NC side and fished everything that looked good. Ran out to the jetties and fished them up and down. I even went out and trolled for Spanish from the jetties down to Hog Inlet just to see if anything would happen. I caught something everyday, but it was slim for the pickings…One sea bass, one short trout, a lizard fish, and a croaker….BUT! In the words of my father, I didn’t get totally skunked. Heading back to the hill on Tuesday, we got caught in some pretty heavy rain with some thunder and lighting close by. Me and Soka were in the ICW headed back to the ramp when the bottom fell out, so I laid the hammer down, blew through all the no wake zones, and was able to get back to the ramp, albeit not all that dry. I don’t mind the rain, but I won’t mess with lightning!
Fished Cherry Grove once on Wednesday just cause I had a feel for it already, and wanted to see if I could snag a keeper Flatty. Did all the drift patterns, had one “active” rod I was casting, and one “passive” rod in the holder bumping a bucktail on the bottom. Amid the lines off the docks, kayak tours, kids on jet skies, and the NC flounder fleet, I was able to pick off two shorties, but again, slim for the pickings….
Thursday, we all chilled, and today, Friday, I hit all of my early week spots again, much to the same avail. We’ll be headed back to Chapin this evening, and as I look at the forecast, it’s probably really gonna turn on next week, go figure. That’s usually my luck when I come to the coast! But I still had an absolute blast exploring some new places and spots! I love pushing myself, and my little boat, to see what we can find, even when the conditions are tough, and it’s always a cool feeling to be part of the local scene for week or so. Much respect, and very much appreciated!
Hopefully the Stripers will be biting on Murray when I get back home. Until next time, cheers yall!
Skeebo
1976 Boston Whaler 13, Zuke 30
