Pamlico June 30, 2011
Brad Jackson, of Washington, with a keeper flounder he hooked on a soft plastic bait in Pungo Creek while he was fishing with Capt. Richard Andrews of Tar-Pam Guide Service.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that the first tarpon of the year have already shown up in the Pamlico Sound and the lower Neuse River, and the fishing will only get better as summer wears on.
Giant “old” red drum are also starting to make an appearance in the sound and the river, and, like the silver kings, the bite only gets better as the weather gets hotter. Both fish will fall for live, dead, or cut baits fished around depth changes and structure on the bottom.
Puppy drum fishing is solid along the river shorelines and in the bays, and anglers can fool the smaller drum with soft plastics, topwater plugs, flies, and a variety of natural baits.
Flounder are also feeding in the river along shorelines and around structure, and small live baits or soft plastics will get attention from the flatfish.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that decent numbers of flounder are still feeding along the river shorelines and around rocks, docks, and other structure. Live finger mullet and mud minnows are top choices for the flatfish, but Gulps, Deep Creek baits, and other scented soft plastics will also produce action.
Speckled trout are feeding in many of the same areas (though most are on the small side). They’ll take an interest in mud minnows, D.O.A. shrimp, and other soft plastics, especially under a popping cork.
Puppy drum fishing has been up-and-down lately, but anglers are connecting with a few on soft plastics and live baits.
Adam Chapman with a dolphin that fell for a skirted ballyhoo off Beaufort Inlet while he was fishing with Capt. Jerry Powell of RockNRoll Charters.
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that tarpon have shown up in the area, and several were caught near the mouth of the Neuse River last week. Large dead and cut baits like spot, mullet, and croaker are appealing to the tarpon. With the high salinity currently in the area, it shouldn’t be long until the fish begin pushing further upriver.
A few bull red drum have also been caught in the sound, but the action isn’t great with the big reds yet.
Flounder fishing is still decent around Bath, and Gulp baits remain the top producers on the flatfish.
Donald, of Custom Marine, reports that tarpon have moved into the Pamlico Sound, and with high salinity and plenty of bait in the Neuse, it shouldn’t be long until they’re working their way up the river. Large baits fished on the bottom give anglers the best shot at some tarpon bites.
Some large red drum have also moved into the sound, but they’re still out towards the barrier islands. They’ll be moving across the sound and into the river as the summer wears on.
The striped bass bite is still on around New Bern. Anglers can tempt the fish to bite topwater plugs in the early mornings, then shift to soft plastics and swimbaits to keep in the action when the sun gets high.
