Pamlico June 23, 2011
Justin Floyd, from Castle Hayne, NC, with a slot red drum that fell for a live menhaden while he was fishing the Pamlico Sound near Havelock.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that the puppy drum bite in the lower Neuse River has finally turned on for summer. Anglers are catching most of the pups beneath docks and along shorelines around Oriental and down the ICW in Adams Creek. Live and cut baits have been producing most of the action with the pups.
On days where the west winds moderate, there’s been some sight-fishing action with the reds on flats with light sand bottoms, and Gulp shrimp are striking their fancy in the shallows.
The larger bays near the mouth of the river are producing some solid fishing for upper and over-slot reds and a few larger speckled trout. The action’s been best around the oyster points, and Gulp baits or D.O.A. soft plastics beneath popping corks are some of the best artificials to cast.
Big numbers of smaller speckled trout are feeding along the river shorelines, and D.O.A. Deadly Combo rigs are producing plenty of action with them.
A few black drum and decent numbers of flounder are mixed in with the reds and specks and providing a pleasant bycatch.
The first tarpon have been seen and released in the Pamlico Sound, and that fishery should be taking off in the coming weeks. Citation-class red drum are also moving into the sound and the Neuse River.
Donald, of Custom Marine, reports that anglers caught and released the first tarpon of the season in the Neuse River last week, and that fishery will continue to improve as the summer wears on.
Some large red drum are also pushing into the sound, but they’re still a long way from the river. Like the tarpon, the big drum action will only improve over the next few weeks.
Striped bass action is still excellent in the New Bern area. The best fishing has been around the bridges, and topwater plugs are producing plenty of action with the stripers.
Jackie Pennington, of Hampstead, with a slot red drum that fell for a live mud minnow on a 2/0 circle hook along a rocky shoreline in the lower Neuse River. She was fishing with Capt. Dave Stewart of Knee Deep Custom Charters.
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are catching decent numbers of flounder around Bath and Duck creeks. Good numbers of keepers are mixed in with the smaller fish, and they’re taking an interest in Gulp baits.
Most of the area’s anglers have been searching for tarpon and big red drum lately, so not many people have been targeting the puppy drum and trout locally.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that there’s been some great puppy drum fishing along the docks and rocky and grassy shorelines of the Neuse River. Live and cut baits pinned to circle hooks on Carolina rigs are producing most of the action with the reds.
Some speckled trout (most undersized) and flounder (decent numbers of keepers mixed with the smaller fish) are mixed in with the reds. The live baits and Gulps and other soft plastics will get their attention.
