Pamlico – May 12, 2016
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that the speckled trout bite has picked up in the lower Neuse River. Anglers are hooking good numbers of fish, but they are having to weed through many undersized fish to find the keepers. Suspending twitch baits like the MirrOlure MR17 and Rapala Flat Rap are getting the attention from the specs.
Puppy drum are mixed in with the specs, and that bite should only improve as the water warms and more fish begin to move up river. The majority of the action seems to be concentrated around Oriental and Adams Creek where fish are falling for soft plastics fished on jigheads or under popping corks like the Fish Skull Pop-N-Fly rig.
The reds may also be interested in topwater plugs if they are spotted feeding in shallow water, particularly near grass beds.
Richard, of Tar Pam Guide Service, reports that the striper fishing in Weldon continues to be excellent with most half day trips producing 75-100 fish. With the river well over its normal levels, the fish are spread out in the fast moving water, but they are feeding heavily. The majority of the fish are being caught on topwater plugs. The Rebel Magnum Pop-R or Rapala X-Rap Pop will cause savage strikes from the hungry bass.
Live bait fishermen are also connecting with plenty of fish. Anglers need to be ready to switch from artificials to live baits depending on what the fish prefer day to day.
Lee Ipock, of Vanceboro, with a striper he caught on a Rat-L-Trap in the backwaters of the Neuse River.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that anglers are finding consistent action with puppy drum in the lower reaches of the Neuse River. Dawson Creek and Slocum Creek are holding good numbers of fish that are taking an interest in soft plastics scented with Pro-Cure gel. DOA C.A.L. jerk shads in darker colors (like rootbeer and morning glory) are producing the majority of bites when fished on jigheads or weedless hooks.
The drum are feeding both near grass beds and under docks. Small speckled trout are feeding alongside the drum, but there are some larger fish mixed in.
The flounder bite hasn’t improved much over the past few weeks, but with the warming water temperatures, fish should begin moving up the river. The flat fish can be caught using the same techniques as redfish.
The striped bass have begun to move back downriver, and anglers are hooking good numbers of them in the New Bern area. Casting topwater plugs such as the Heddon Spook will tempt bites from fish feeding just below the surface. Anglers can also hook them using soft plastics like the DOA TerrorEyz casted near shorelines and structure such as docks and bridges.
Mitchell, of Fish IBX, reports that Roanoke River anglers are still catching plenty of striped bass in the river’s northern reaches. Anglers are catching them on artificials and live baits. For the fly angler, Clouser Minnows and topwater popping flies are producing the majority of the bites.
The Pamlico River is still fairly slow with the majority of the fish moving up the Tar River to spawn. Anglers can connect with some stragglers and returning fish in the Washington area by concentrating their efforts at heavy structure like the railroad trestles and bridges. The fish are feeding throughout the water column, so anglers should have both soft plastic jigs and topwater plugs ready.
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are connecting with striped bass in the Pungo River with the majority of the action in Pungo Creek and Pantego Creek. There have also been reports of flounder being caught near the mouths of feeder creeks where anglers are hooking the fish on soft plastic jigs intended for the stripers.
Puppy drum and speckled trout are being caught in the Bath area, and there are also some small flounder mixed in as well. Anglers can target all three species using soft plastics like Zoom Shad on jigheads and weighted hooks.
