Pamlico – June 18, 2015
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that anglers are seeing hot weather and water in the region, and anglers should be mindful of the increased potential for thunderstorms as summer kicks in.
The lower Neuse River action has been a bit slow recently, but anglers are connecting with over-slot red drum along deeper shorelines and points. The fish have been scattered, so anglers should stay on the move for the best odds of hooking up. A few speckled trout and flounder are in the same areas, and all three are falling for D.O.A. CAL baits on jigheads and D.O.A. Deadly Combo popping cork rigs.
Chloe Williamson (age 14) with a trio of flounder she landed at Cape Lookout while fishing with family.
There’s been better action upriver around New Bern, with anglers finding good numbers of striped bass despite low water conditions (many 20”+). Topwater plugs fished around shoreline structure in the early morning and late evening hours have been producing most of the action. Anglers can also cast subsurface baits like D.O.A. soft plastics on jigheads to hook up with fish around deeper structure during the middle of the day.
Adam Simmons with a cobia that bit a bucktail jig near Cape Lookout while he was fishing with Capt. Chris Kimrey of Mount Maker Charters.
Anglers are already reporting some large red drum in the Neuse, but the reports are unconfirmed. The fish will show up in numbers over the coming weeks as more bait moves into the sound and river. Anglers can soak cut baits or work large soft plastics under popping corks to hook up with the big reds.
Richard, of Tar-Pam Guide Service, reports that the inner banks flounder bite is heating up, and anglers have been hooking solid numbers this week. The action looks to remain good for the rest of the summer, and anglers are connecting with the flatfish on scented soft baits like Z-Man lures along with live mud minnows and other baits on Carolina rigs.
Mike Chipley, of Washington, DC, with a 32″ red drum he caught and released after it struck a D.O.A. Deadly Combo rig in the lower Neuse River while he was fishing with Capt. Dave Stewart of Knee Deep Custom Charters.
A few tarpon have already been spotted in the sound and lower rivers, so anglers who want to do battle with a “silver king” can start looking for the fish and trying to persuade them to bite.
Spadefish have also shown up around bottom structure in the Pamlico Sound, where anglers may also encounter bluefish, sheepshead, tautog, and gray trout. The spades will bite small pieces of jellyfish, and anglers can connect with the others on a variety of artificial lures and natural baits.
Mitch, of FishIBX.com, reports that the hot striped bass bite in the Roanoke River continues, and anglers are hooking the fish on a variety of artificial lures, including topwater plugs, soft plastics, and subsurface streamer flies.
The bite will likely slow down soon, though, as the weather and water continue to heat up.
Isaiah, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are seeing an improving flounder bite around Bath and North Creek, with a few fish scattered further up the rivers. Gulps and live mud minnows will attract attention from the flatfish.
Spanish mackerel have moved into the sound and lower river, where anglers can target them by trolling flashy lures like Clarkspoons around surface activity, working birds, and schools of bait.
Anglers have also been reporting seeing some of the first large red drum of the season around Swan Quarter and other spots in Hyde County.
