Fishing the marshes in the Little River area can keep any angler busy in the fall, but the banks of the ICW should not be forgotten, especially the spoil islands.
The ICW is lined with grassy and tree-covered banks offering perfect conditions to target redfish on high water, and the spoil islands are jewels that should never be missed on high tides.
Spoil islands are generally loaded on top with oyster shells from recycling programs, and there are often plenty of abundant live oysters below the waterline along their banks. Even during periods of lower water, spot-tails will hang around the oyster mounds on the ICW, but higher tides offer a unique situation.
Often, the spoil islands hold a small maritime forest with a population of fiddler crabs. Even if trees or brush aren’t available, marsh grass growing on a firm bottom will sustain a large population of fiddler crabs.
As soon as the islands flood enough for a fish to enter, spot-tails will rush these banks looking for fiddler crabs. Any mud minnows, finger mullet or other small fish in the area will be looking hard for some type of cover to hide behind that just gives the spot tail more to eat.
Look for the best spoil island opportunities between docks in the town of Little River and the North Carolina state line. And don’t leave out the banks of the ICW adjacent to the high ground, either. Anywhere spot-tails can get a quick and easy bite will be right where they will be.
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