Pamlico – June 8, 2017
Richie, of East Side Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers tossing pearl white Z-Man baits (as well as pearl white Gulp swimming mullets) are having luck with the trout on the Pamlico River. A majority of the trout landed have been in the 18-22” range.
Flounder and puppy drum have been mixed in with the specs, but they have been much less consistent. Most of the flounder have been undersized, while the puppy drum have been in the under to mid-slot range.
Stripers are biting upriver, and anglers are having a good time landing these fish regardless of it being catch and release only. White swimbaits have been the ticket for a good striper bite.
Todd, of Neuse River Bait and Tackle, reports that anglers are off to a great start in June, with several citation trout being weighed in (in the 5-8 lb. range). Anglers fishing soft plastics have had most of the action, but fishing live mullet or mud minnows has also done the trick.
Anglers are seeing a good amount of bait showing up in the Neuse River, and this has kicked off the slot red drum bite. Focusing around the creeks and tributaries has accounted for most of the action with the drum. Anglers throwing Z-Man MinnowZ, Gulp baits, Saltwater Assassin popping corks, and Vudu shrimp have done well landing limits of fish. Cut mullet and live mud minnows and finger mullet have also done well for anglers wanting to anchor up in one location.
Flounder have been mixed in around structure like stumps, pilings, and docks. Most fish have been pulled off of structure along deep marsh lines that are holding high numbers of baitfish. Anglers tossing Gulp shrimp in pearl and chartreuse and white curly tail grubs have had the most luck on the flounder.
Gary, of Spec Fever Guide Service, reports that anglers targeting speckled trout have found good numbers of fish in the 15-18” range, and a few fish caught have broken the 5 lb. mark. Topwater lures have been working for the early morning bite, and as the day progresses, soft plastics under popping corks are accounting for most of the bites.
Puppy drum have been feeding well in the area, and most fish are in the mid-slot range, with a few fish being upper or just over-slot. Popping corks rigged with soft plastics have been the ticket for a solid drum bite.
Stripers have been on the same rigs as the reds, and most fish have been lower to mid-slot.
Flounder are just starting to show up well in the area, and anglers are catching a few fish as by-catch. There have been a handful of keeper-size fish, but most have been undersized.
Capt. Grey Davis with a 24”, 4.67 lb. speckled trout caught in the Pamlico Sound. The fish fell for a Rapala Skitterwalk.
Mitchell, of FishIBX, reports that stripers are feeding well in the Neuse River, and the fish have ranged from lower-slot to upper-slot. Anglers throwing larger baits are being rewarded with the larger fish. Topwater plugs worked early in the day have also been a great way to put numbers of fish in the boat.
Redfish have been feeding around shorelines, and anglers tossing soft plastics on jigs have connected with the most fish. The majority of the reds are around the 22” mark.
Flounder and black drum have also been mixed in the same areas. Most of the flounder have been short, but a few keepers are in the mix. When anglers turn and cast off the bank, they are connecting with good numbers of speckled trout that have ranged from undersized to the 3 lb. mark.
Up the river, bream have been feeding well despite the high water. Fly casting with small poppers has accounted for most of the fish landed.
Menhaden are starting to show up in the lower part of the river, so it should only be a matter of time until the big redfish show themselves.
Evan Dudley of Enrul, NC, with a 6 lb. speckled trout. He was fishing with Capt. Dave Stewart of Knee Deep Custom Charters.
James, of Neuse River Adventures, reports that anglers looking for good striper action should try throwing Zara Spook Jr. topwater baits in the morning. Most fish are in the mid-slot range, but a few fish have pushed the 27-28” mark. As the morning bite fades, anglers are finding Egret Wedgetail soft plastics rigged on 3/16 oz. Trout Eye jig heads will do the trick.
Redfish are feeding well in the area and are willing to eat lures worked on the top in the mornings. Z-Man MinnowZ have also worked well for the reds. Rigging them on popping corks as well as Trout Eye jig heads have done the trick, and targeting shallow areas adjacent to deeper water has been the key to finding good numbers of fish.
Anglers wanting to target speckled trout are seeing great numbers of fish in the Neuse River. Most of the trout have been undersized or just barely legal, but once you weed through the smaller fish, anglers have landed some weighing 3+ lbs. Soft plastics rigged on a popping cork has been the best way to target the specs, but early in the morning, the trout will be tempted by topwater lures.
Dave, of Knee Deep Custom Charters, reports that anglers fishing for speckled trout are having luck targeting fish in the Neuse River and in the sound. The D.O.A. Deadly Combo, D.O.A. shrimp, and D.O.A. CAL shad tails are all working well. Most fish have been on the smaller side, but weeding through the smaller fish can reward anglers with trout pushing the 6 lb. mark.
Red drum area mixed in the same areas as the trout and hitting similar soft plastics.
Flounder have moved into the Neuse as well. Most fish are short, with only a few legal fish in the mix.
Lots of bait has been seen recently in the river, and the bigger drum are sure to follow shortly.
