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Beyond the Bait: Master the Winter Bite with Knotty Sea Fishing Charters
Myrtle Beach State Park - Horry, SC
Knotty Sea Fishing Charters LLC: January 2026 Fishing Report The winter season in Myrtle Beach and Little River is in full swing, and despite the cooler temperatures, the bite is far from cold. Captain Michael Ardolino and the crew of the Drop Hook are currently seeing excellent water clarity, making this a prime time for technical, hands-on angling.
What’s Biting: Inshore & Nearshore While some species have moved deeper for the winter, the "Big Three" are keeping the rods bending:
Red Drum (Redfish): The clear winter water has pushed the Reds into large, tight schools. We are finding them primarily on shallow mud flats during the sunny afternoon lows where the water warms up just enough to trigger a feed.
Top Tactic: Slow-rolling soft plastics or soaking fresh-cut shrimp on a light jighead.
Black Drum: These bottom-feeders are stacked up around docks, ledges, and Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) bridges. They are hitting consistently on fresh shrimp and fiddler crabs.
Speckled Trout: As long as water temps hold in the high 40s to low 50s, the trout are active in the deeper creek holes and around the Little River jetties.
Offshore Update For those looking to head further out on our 6 or 12-hour trips:
Bottom Fishing: The wrecks and reefs are producing a steady supply of Black Sea Bass, Porgies, and Vermilion Snapper (Beeliners).
King Mackerel: While the bite is moving further out to find warmer water, we are still seeing some late-season action in the deeper nearshore lanes on the right weather windows.
The "Knotty Sea" Experience At Knotty Sea Fishing Charters, we don't just put you on the fish—we teach you the sport.
"The look on someone's face when they know they caught a fish and did it all by themselves is priceless." — Captain Mike
Our January trips focus on a hands-on approach. Whether you are a seasoned pro or bringing the kids for their first winter adventure, we’ll have you tying your own knots, casting your own baits, and feeling every thump on the line.
Pro-Tip for January Anglers Slow down! In colder water, fish are lethargic. If you think you're retrieving your lure slowly, slow it down even more. Give those Reds and Trout plenty of time to look at the bait before they commit.
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